A Prenatal Project in India

Gajanan S. Kelkar

Editor's Note: Gajanan Shridhar Kelkar has directed a unique prenatal program in Lonavla, India, for the last 18 years, although this program has been in existence much longer than that. The philosophical foundation of this program is based on the teaching of Swami Vijnananand, who became Mr. Kelkar's mentor and spiritual guide while he attended college. An Ashram was dedicated to the activities and interests of the Swami who not only stressed science but other subjects as well. The prenatal work was one of the earliest programs alongside others related to the wellbeing of mankind. Mr. Kelkar's expertise in engineering and electronics has enabled him to design and construct particular machines used in this prenatal program. Please contact him at Manashakti REST New Way, 76, Mumbai-Pune Road, Lonavla. Dist: Pune, Maharashtra, India. 410401. or send email to gsk@manashakti.org

The Prenatal Project of India is a program used to instill 'good moral values' during the prenatal period. It is based on the Vedic concept of 'Prenatal Education,' and is designed with modern scientific concepts and instrumentation. This prenatal project is viewed as a service oriented program, to cater to the needs of society to foster good values. Manashakti Research Center (REST) New Way, Lonavla is a unique center in India that has developed this project and has been implementing it for the last 35 years.

Outline of the Manashakti (REST) New Way.

The name 'Manashakti' derives from the Sanskrit word 'Manas' meaning 'Mind,' and 'Shakti' which indicates 'Power.' Hence, 'Mana Shakti' suggests 'Mind Power.' 'Manashakti' is a public charitable trust having diverse services and research branches. The founder of this trust was a thinker, Swami Vijnananand, who established the "New Way," and lived from 1918 to 1993 when he took Samadhi. This is a special term used to differentiate normal death from a willful separation of mind from the body. Apart from bequeathing the basic principles he was instrumental in creating more than 60 electronic machines that were developed at the Research Center.

Brief Introduction to "Manashakti REST New Way" Center

Manashakti REST (Research Education Sanatorium Trust) New Way is a public charitable trust engaged in research and social service oriented programs. As the name indicates, the research is directed towards 'peace of mind' by studying various facets of the mind. The Swami has authored over 250 books in five languages. He also wrote over twenty-nine papers, and articles, which appeared in the Times, Blitz, Indian Express, Free Press and many other publications. Scientists, thinkers, doctors, and educators of international repute were associated with his research.

Manashakti REST New Way has for its mission the dissemination of knowledge for the welfare of all members of society. The work is available for the benefit of all religions, castes, creed and sexes. The Manashakti Trust does not accept any donations, or grants, nor does it charge any fee for its education / knowledge.

Activities of "Manashakti REST New Way"

I. Study Seminars (Ranging from 3 days to 1 month, all ages)
II. Machine Tests
III. Publications/Books
IV. Performance of social/cultural rituals
V. Outstation programs

1. Study Seminars

Twenty-nine different types of study courses are conducted by the Trust at Lonavla. The courses cover the entire life of an individual and deals with problems ranging from the stages of pre-birth to post death. The study courses address specific age groups and subjects, children of 1-7 years, then age 8 to 14, 15 to 21 and finally from 22 to 28 years of age. The study courses for parents of respective age groups are conducted simultaneously. There is a special course for aspiring parents who receive instruction regarding good values for nurturing the fetus in the pre-birth stage during the nine months.

The study courses for adults are divided into various subjects in order to help them to be free from ailments, tension, envy, etc., and promote success in their work or profession as well as in their private lives. The subjects also cover topics which provide answers to the various queries a human being might normally have, such as life objectives, meditation, the concept of mantra, God, Salvation, and Rebirth.

All the study courses are based on a scientific, logical and well-structured syllabus. The remedies suggested are easy to follow, inexpensive, practical for the home without any significant aids or tools. The study courses, both for children and adults have been conducted for years and are immensely popular in the region of Maharashtra (India).

Machine Tests

The machine tests conducted by the Research Center are quite unique. Most of these tests are conducted on the thought level. The main object of these tests is to assess the energy expenditure of an individual and to try to attain coordination with the inner energy quanta. The Research Center thus strives for tension-free success at every stage in life. The equipment needed for these tests is developed in the Center, with the use of high-tech knowledge. Some of these tests are computerized. All the tests and equipment have been developed under the guidance of Swami Vijnananand, based on his long-standing research and profound study of the'Mind'.

 

Prenatal Program - Sanskar - Sanskar in Sanscrit means good or positive values.

An Introduction

Before going into details of how good values are assimilated at the Research Center, it is important to have a glimpse of the historical heritage of this concept.

The Indian History of Prenatal Sanskar

The story of Abhimanyu is well known in the Mahabharata. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, learned how to enter the Chakravyuha (the strategic arrangement of warriors to entrap and defeat the enemy) when he was in his mother's womb. He had heard and remembered the narration of the technique by Krishna to Subhadra during her pregnancy.

Before the birth of Buddha, his mother, Mahamaya had followed certain specific rituals. In the month of Ashadh, she celebrated the seven-day festival and gave alms to the poor. She did penance by giving up some of her pleasures. After the festival, Mahamaya had a dream in which, Bodhisatva, by the name of Sumedh, asked
permission to take birth in her womb. She happily consented. Later, a brilliant son was born to her in the pleasant environments of Lumbini. He became Lord Buddha.

Before Krishna was born, his mother, Devaki had a dream that Lord Vishnu had entered her body.

When Pralhad's mother was pregnant with him, she used to listen to devotional songs. Therefore, even though Pralhad took birth in a Rakshasa family, he became a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

The mother of the freedom fighter, Savarkar used to read the courageous stories from the Ramayana, and Maharana Pratap to her son when he was in her womb.

Rishi Udalak was a great saint. He had an able disciple called Kahod. The rishi gave his daughter, Sujata in marriage to Kahod. Once when Sujata was pregnant, Kahod was reciting some shlokas. The baby in the womb realized the recitation was incorrect and asked him to correct it. Kahod was livid with rage. He put a curse on his son so that he would be born bent in eight places. The child, Ashtavakra was born bent in eight places. The father's angry thoughts affected the baby.

When tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain was in his mother's womb, his father, Ustad Allah Rakha used to beat lightly with his fingers on his mother's abdomen.

Goal of the Prenatal Project

I. To welcome the baby with good thoughts.
II. Imparting sanskar to the fetus.
III. Improve the emotional health of the parents.
IV. Increasing the active participation of the father during pregnancy.
V. Increasing the courage and confidence of mother during labor.

The intention of "The New Way" behind this project is to mould the future generation and society at large. There is no intent of personal gain. This is the work of a nation, of building humanity . Along with the welfare of the child, the parents will be able to reduce tension in their lives. The project aims at building healthy, intelligent, honest, responsible individuals and a united society.

Prenatal Program

Tests and Procedures

The above goals are achieved through a series of stages as suggested below.

Stage I ­ Temperament coordination test of both partners before marriage.

Stage II - Post marriage adjustment test.

Stage III ­ Three day study course to be taken any time before or during pregnancy (preferably before conception).

Stage IV - Stroboscope test for improving the concentration of the parents. (during the first six months of pregnancy)

Stage V ­ Fetuscope test (after six months of pregnancy)

Stage VI ­ Post delivery personality test for parents.

 

Stage I: Pre-marital temperament and coordination tests for both partners.

The efforts are made to bring into the world a "whole child," not only at conception but long before then, at the time of selecting one's partners. There should be compatibility between both partners at the mind level. Hence, efforts are taken by the New Way to match those partners desiring a baby. A happy, satisfied pair will definitely have the right temperament during the pregnancy period. Therefore, a psychological test is conducted of aspiring parents and remedial measures are suggested to modify their personalities.

Stage II: Post-marriage adjustment test.

During the first year of marriage both of the partners are new to their environment taking time to understand one another and adjusting to this situation. If there is no proper adjustment for some reason during the first year itself, the gap goes on increasing and even after twenty years of married life the possibility of two minds coinciding with each other gets more remote. This test is useful for the attainment of a happy and contented married life as and when required.

Stage III: Three day study course.

A three day study course on prenatal sanskar is carried out at the main Center. The focal points of this course are the communication with the fetus, in order for him to absorb good values (sanskar) and the education of the parents in regards to their thinking and behavior during the prenatal period. Videos of the development of the baby in the womb, lectures by experienced doctors on nutrition and behavior during pregnancy also form part of the curriculum.

Stage IV: The stroboscope test

A stroboscope is an instrument that is normally used in the industry to measure the speed of moving objects. Dr Walter Grey, the famous neurologist, first used it for brain experiments in epileptic patients. It was realized that intentional concentration on light has great potential for improving the energy potential of an individual. In the pre-natal program, the stroboscope is used to increase the concentration of the parents making use of the biofeedback principle.

From the stroboscope, a flickering white light is emitted at a particular frequency in the alpha range (8 to 13 per second). This test is generally done in a group setting. All the participants are told to think about their future child, their goal and to concentrate on the light. The Stroboscope emits white light, but when the group looks at it with a particular intention, every participant sees a different color according to his or her goal and inner personality. This is because each person absorbs only that part of the light, which he requires.

Only visible light is used. There is no ultra violet or infra red radiation emitted from the stroboscope. Individuals affected by epilepsy or those who suffer from visual problems are advised not to take part in this test. Since its inception in 1993, more than seven thousand parents have taken advantage of the benefits it offers.

The principle behind the stroboscope test

Flickering seems to alter the brain wave activity of the whole cortex instead of just those areas associated with vision. The brain responds by falling into the same frequency as that of the flickering light. There is a breakdown of some of the physiological barriers between different regions of the brain, resulting in better synchronization, mental clarity, and better intellectual functioning.

Each participant gains energy due to the principle of "resonance" since the objective of each individual is the same. Secondly, the important property of the flicker of light (in the range 'alpha' in this case) has the capacity to carry a transfer intention or intelligence that has been modulated by the person.

The resultant color is given for concentration. The color is chosen by each individual subconsciously and is useful for the coordination of logical and emotional thinking necessary to achieve the goal. Color and emotion are closely linked. Concentration on the prescribed color causes optimization of mental energy, improving mental clarity and concentration.

Instructions at home for the stroboscope test

Take a 3" by 3" plain white paper. Draw a circle of one centimeter in diameter in the center and color it with the respective color that you saw during the test. At a fixed time everyday concentrate on this chromo color point. You should follow this practice for a minimum of three months to increase your concentration.

Stage V: The fetuscope test

This test is taken after six completed months of pregnancy when development of the main organs is near completion and the fetal heart rate can be measured easily. The thought impressions of Swami Vijnananand are directed toward the fetus. The objective is mainly to transmit good values to the baby. Also certain questions are asked of the parents regarding their expectations of their unborn child and the variation in their pulse rate is recorded.

The intention behind using the fetuscope is as follows. The mind has an effect on the body, and the fetal mind is responsive. The mind itself cannot be measured. We can only measure its effect on the body through various mechanisms such as pulse and heart rate, breathing, skin and brain resistance, etc. Pulse and fetal heart rate measurements are easily recorded. Emotions cause change in the pulse. The basic emotions of fear, rage, courage and peace are present in every human being right from conception just as they are present in other organisms of nature in various stages of development. Parental and fetal emotions are measured in the test.

The heart rate is a good indicator of the fetal personality. By monitoring it we can determine how a particular child reacts to stress and fright, and hence learn something about its personality. In one study, a recording of the fetal heart rate was done and the results were divided into low and high reactors. Low reactors were ones with a continued steady heart rate. There was little disruption by any external noise. Fifteen years later these children were still rarely upset by the unexpected. These researchers found they remained in control of their emotions and behavior. The babies which showed high fluctuations to noise in utero were as teenagers still highly emotional.

Procedure

Any pregnant woman who has completed six months of pregnancy can participate in this test along with her husband, parents and in-laws. The parents are asked certain questions regarding their expectations of this child. The fetus is directly addressed during the test. A tape with the voice of Swami Vijnananand is played in which the fetus is welcomed, encouraged and requested to improve its good qualities and take a decision to live a well-balanced fruitful life and not to have small selfish, self- serving motives only, in its attitude towards life. Resting and pulse rates of the parents and the fetal heart rate, before and after the test, are taken for recording the mental impressions.

The direction of the fetal heart rate variation may be opposite to that of the maternal pulse variation, that is, the maternal pulse rate may increase whereas the fetal heart rate may decrease at the same time or vice-versa. This proves the separate personality of the fetus from that of his or her mother. Depending on the pulse variation the parents are given chromo concentration points on which they are told to concentrate every day. Concentration is suggested on the prescribed color to bring the pulse variation back to normal.

Concentration on the candle flame with an inner wish for improving the qualities of the child is done. Prayer, chromo-concentration and personal counseling is given to the parents regarding the importance of direct and indirect communication with the fetus. Advice is also given regarding preparation for the delivery and communication of thought impressions by the mother to the child during breastfeeding.

The principle behind this test

The main requirement to transmit "good values" is first to establish communication with the baby in the womb. Thoughts and feelings of the parents affect the baby. The researcher (Swami Vijnananand) directs intentional, selfless, good thoughts towards the baby. Even before the thought is expressed, it remains in an unexpressed form in the mind. At that time, its wavelenght is the shortest and its energy is at the maximum level. Intentional, directed, selfless, unspoken thoughts lead to maximum sanskar in the baby.

The thought radiation being imparted to the baby has the following essential points:
I. The baby should know that he or she is wanted in the family and the world. There is a hearty welcome to the baby by the parents and other well-wishers.
II. There is a rational appeal to the baby for choosing a correct path in life, without the imposing ideas of father or mother or even the well-wisher. The baby is given freedom of selecting his own.
III. The researcher or well-wisher is detached and without a specific selfish interest.

The intention-motion-reaction principle is used in the test. Intention is the basis of any motion or action. Intention causes a marked difference in the effect of the action. When the intention is selfless, the ability to transmit energy increases. Thoughts radiated with good intention produce desired effects.

Instructions for the fetuscope test at home

The parents are told to recite a prayer daily for their unborn baby. The prayer includes verbal thoughts, welcoming the baby and appeal to the baby to become a 'good personality' or 'ideal child'. Along with this, parents also recite the 'Gayatri Mantra', which has the power of making sacrifices. The mother and father go through literature that elevates the emotions of 'courage' and 'peace'. They also concentrate and meditate on the specific color symbol suited to their inner personality.

Prayer said by the parents:

"We pray in the name of the Highest Truth. We believe that everyone stands by his own causality, self or karma. To the extent to which the karma of all three of us has conjoined, my prayer should contribute to, and ameliorate this child. Though I do not wish any change in the chosen course of this child, I harbor a natural desire for the good of this child. Little baby we welcome you!"

"Come to enjoy a fruitful and realized life. On our part we would like you to be .. and develop . skills if you have no objection. In pursuance of indication from you, namely .., we shall try to offer facilities for the same. Else let this prayer work to that end as much as it can. We submit this prayer for the good of yourself, our family, our nation, mankind and the world as a whole. Let this step purify all of us to attend to what we desire and deserve. May the Good Spirit in us help all of us." ( In the dotted spaces, the parents can suggest their wish to the baby).

Stage VI: Post delivery personality test for the parents.

After birth, in the learning process, the temperaments of both parents play a major role in the overall development of the baby. It is observed that the child first acquires the temperamental weaknesses of the parents. Hence a personality test of the parents is conducted after three months of delivery and up to two years.

Conclusion

This program has been implemented for more than 35 years and we have found many astonishing and positive results. More than six thousand parents have taken part in the project and they are quite satisfied with the outcome. In more than 70% cases of the delivered babies adopting this procedure, we have found that the 'courage' temperament
has increased. The baby is more alert, attentive, receptive and intelligent.

This project has become a tool for social revolution in order to spread good values in our society. The baby in the womb is affected by the thoughts and emotions of his parents. Therefore, it becomes essential for them to avoid negative thoughts, bad habits and to maintain a cheerful atmosphere.

The process continues after delivery. Thus, you will find a gradual but steady change in the social environment as well as a strong coherent society based on unity and sacrifice.

 

For further information:

Website: www.manashakti.org
E-mail: gsk@manashakti.org

Phone: 091-2114-73461/ 091-2114-73747
Manashakti REST New Way,
76, Mumbai-Pune Road, Lonavla.
Dist: Pune, Maharashtra, India. 410401.

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