Many of you are familiar with the story of how Abhimanyu, while in his mother's (Subhadra's) womb, had only heard of the way to enter the ChakraVyuha, but he didn't know how to come out, and its consequences when as a youth he entered the Mahabharat war. Some of you may also know the story of Ashtavakra who had dared to correct a mistake of his father in Vedic recitation, when Ashtavakra was still a baby in his mother’s womb. There are similar examples in recent times as well. The point to be noted is that the baby in the womb is very alert to what happens outside the womb. Thus, what the mother reads, what sort of shows she watches, what type of music she listens, what food she eats, etc., have tremendous influence on the mental and physical development of the baby.
Considering all this, the function of Dohaale-Jevan is arranged to pour love on to the expecting mother and indirectly alert her and draw her to the necessity of nurturing her mental and physical health (maanasik ani sharer swaasthya). It is to create very soothing and positive impressions on the mother. Therefore various acts have been included to put the prospective mother in a state of bliss (peace, joy, contentment, etc.). Who can do this better than the experienced and the closest sisters, friends, Mavshis, mother, etc?
Entire family is very excited about this event and had so many ideas. Right from the dress code to activities in the event.
Also the dear husband also has a role. In privacy, he should be sending positive vibes to the baby by touching his wife's naval. Talk sweetly and comfortingly. Read good, uplifting stories, play melodious music and songs of endearment. Absolutely avoid raucous, raunchy, loud music and lyrics. He should only be spreading peace and not the job stress to the woman he loves. This may sound very superfluous. But a good reminder will assure good practices on his part. Only think of the pristine, god-like baby and let his acts be to assist his child’s sound growth.
About the religious ceremony. If one goes to the scriptural texts, you will find that we invoke the blessings of a goddess by the name Raka (Raa-Kaa). We do the samkalpa, swastivaachan, punyaahavaachana (punya + aha +vaachana which literally means 'say that this day is auspicious.'), Ganesha-pujan, and may be a Agni-pujan or homa. If we don't have the time to do an elaborate puja, the resources, or the detailed knowledge, we should at least pray to Lord Ganesha, and ask for His blessings, and then go into the social part of the ceremony(which in a sense is built on the recognition of Divinity all around us). Take it for what it is worth to you. You must select a good tithi (date), a peaceful evening (preferably in the bright fortnight, i.e., shukla paksha) and do the program in a serene setting of a garden or a lake. The food we serve to the pregnant woman should be saatwic. It should not excite her. Let the pregnant woman wear a very soft colored and not binding clothes. A saree or a lengha-kurta will do (no tight jeans, or tight naadis). Green or light blue colored clothing is preferred. If possible, put her on a jhoola bedecked with flowers. Then include lots of fun such as owaalne', oati bharane', goad padarthaanche' jevan, ukhaane' ghene', sukha samvaad karane', ityadi. Play the game of 'is it a boy or a girl.' Let some ladies of good voice sing a few sweet songs to bless this pregnant woman and her garbha. And finally, sweetly remind her to refrain from intimacy with her husband, and not to indulge in any adventures such as rock-climbing, bicycling, late night partying, or horseback riding.
The pregnant lady wears a variety of 'Wadis' (meaning bangles, necklace, etc made from flowers so that the pregnant lady does not feel the weight of jewellery), instead of jewellery. She is made to sit on lotus, Moon or hold the Dhanushya-baan. Everybody prays to have the baby born with good character as shining as the Moon, is brave (Dhanushya-baan) and Wise (lotus).
There are unique Dohale jevan songs specifically for DohaleJevan. These songs ar about the baby-to-be, describing the baby to be handsome, brave intelligent and also bringing good luck to the family. They are also about guessing if it will be a boy or a girl child. Songs like 'Dohale purva' or 'Pedha ki Barfi', etc.
Every child needs a little pampering.
Then why not ‘shower’ some treats on the mother giving birth to it?
That’s how we look at the beautiful concept of a baby shower, or Dohal-jevan.
Meetkalakar group make sure the expectant mother is treated like a queen at her culturally decked Dohal-jevan!