16 shlokas · Weeks 4–40 (especially 4–20)

Garbh Raksha mantras and stotra for pregnancy

Garbh Raksha means protection of the womb. Indian families have long prayed to the Divine Mother to hold the baby safe. Here you'll find an Atharva Veda hymn that compares the mother to the Earth, and verses of the Garbharakshambika Stotram, a 20th-century hymn linked to the Thirukarukavur temple near Thanjavur and loved by many South Indian families. There are also Devi verses like Sarva Mangala Mangalye, and short chants such as Om Sharavanabhavaya Namah.

Many families begin early and keep going through all nine months, especially weeks 4 to 20. Pick one verse and chant it slowly, 11 or 21 times, in the morning or at evening lamp time. Fridays are traditional for Devi verses. The four verses of the Atharva Veda hymn are the verse of the week for weeks 5 to 8, one each week. It's fine to start with the meaning.

Here, protection is a prayer and a feeling of reassurance, not a medical safeguard. Your doctor's care is your real protection. If you have bleeding or pain, or anything worries you, call your doctor straight away. Some of these texts, including the Garbharakshambika verses, are still awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check, and each one is marked on the page. Read our disclaimer

Last updated 11 October 2026

How to practise these verses

For every verse below, unless it says otherwise.

Best time: Morning, or evening lamp time
How to practise: 11 or 21 times. Fridays are traditional for Devi verses
Who can chant: Mother and family
Best weeks: Weeks 4–40 (especially 4–20)

Honest noteProtection is a traditional belief. Medical care is your real protection. Never delay care for bleeding or pain.

Steady pregnancy

As Earth Holds All Beings, May Your Baby Be Held

यथेयं पृथिवी मही भूतानां गर्भमादधे ।एवा ते ध्रियतां गर्भो अनु सूतुं सवितवे ॥

yatheyam prithivi mahi bhutanam garbham adadhe, eva te dhriyatam garbho anu sutum savitave

Atharva Veda (Shaunaka) 6.17.1

Meaning

As this great Earth holds the seed of all beings, so may your baby be held safely until the right time of birth.

Why we suggest this

One of the oldest Indian prayers for a pregnancy to stay strong. The picture is beautiful: the mother as Earth, holding life.

What you can expect

Deep comfort, especially for mothers with past losses or early bleeding scares.

Steady pregnancy

As Earth Holds the Trees

यथेयं पृथिवी मही दाधारेमान्वनस्पतीन् ।एवा ते ध्रियतां गर्भो अनु सूतुं सवितवे ॥

yatheyam prithivi mahi dadhareman vanaspatin, eva te dhriyatam garbho anu sutum savitave

Atharva Veda 6.17.2

Meaning

As this great Earth holds these trees, so may your baby be held until birth.

Why we suggest this

The second verse of the same hymn. Chant its four verses as a four-week series, one each week.

What you can expect

A soothing, repeating rhythm that mothers find calming.

Steady pregnancy

As Earth Holds the Mountains

यथेयं पृथिवी मही दाधार पर्वतान्गिरीन् ।एवा ते ध्रियतां गर्भो अनु सूतुं सवितवे ॥

yatheyam prithivi mahi dadhara parvatan girin, eva te dhriyatam garbho anu sutum savitave

Atharva Veda 6.17.3

Meaning

As Earth holds the great mountains, so may your baby be held until birth.

Why we suggest this

The mountain stands for steadiness.

What you can expect

A feeling of strength in your own body.

Steady pregnancy

As Earth Holds the Whole World

यथेयं पृथिवी मही दाधार विष्ठितं जगत् ।एवा ते ध्रियतां गर्भो अनु सूतुं सवितवे ॥

yatheyam prithivi mahi dadhara vishthitam jagat, eva te dhriyatam garbho anu sutum savitave

Atharva Veda 6.17.4

Meaning

As Earth holds this whole spread-out world, so may your baby be held until birth.

Why we suggest this

It ends the hymn with the widest picture of all.

What you can expect

The completion of a meaningful four-verse practice.

Protection of the womb

Garbharakshambika Stotram – Refrain and Verse 1

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

श्रीमाधवीकाननस्थे गर्भरक्षाम्बिके पाहि भक्तां स्तुवन्तीम् ॥वापीतटे वामभागे वामदेवस्य देवस्य देवि स्थिता त्वम् ।मान्या वरेण्या वदान्या पाहि गर्भस्थजन्तून् तथा भक्तलोकान् ॥

shri-madhavi-kananasthe garbharakshambike pahi bhaktam stuvantim. vapi-tate vama-bhage vamadevasya devasya devi sthita tvam, manya varenya vadanya pahi garbhastha-jantun tatha bhakta-lokan

Garbharakshambika Stotram (Anantarama Dikshitar, 20th century), Thirukarukavur temple near Thanjavur

Meaning

O Mother who protects the womb, living in the jasmine forest: protect me as I praise you. Honoured, generous Mother beside Lord Shiva, protect the babies in the womb and all your devotees.

Why we suggest this

One of the best-known stotrams in India written entirely for pregnancy. Many South Indian families recite it in every trimester.

What you can expect

A strong sense of being protected. Note: a modern composition (about 100 years old), not Vedic.

Best time: Morning; Fridays traditional

Protection of the womb

Garbharakshambika Stotram – Verse 2

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

श्रीगर्भरक्षापुरे या दिव्यसौन्दर्ययुक्ता सुमाङ्गल्यगात्री ।धात्री जनित्री जनानां दिव्यरूपां दयार्द्रां मनोज्ञां भजे त्वाम् ॥

shri-garbharakshapure ya divya-saundarya-yukta sumangalya-gatri, dhatri janitri jananam divya-rupam dayardram manojnam bhaje tvam

Garbharakshambika Stotram, verse 2

Meaning

You who live in the town of womb-protection, divinely beautiful and auspicious, the nurse and mother of all people, kind and lovely: I worship you.

Why we suggest this

It calls the goddess 'dhatri' (nurse) and 'janitri' (mother), the roles you are now taking on.

What you can expect

A feeling of shared motherhood.

Best time: Morning; Fridays traditional

Protection of the womb

Garbharakshambika Stotram – Verse 4

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

कल्याणदात्रीं नमस्ये वेदिकाढ्यस्त्रिया गर्भरक्षाकरीं त्वाम् ।बालैः सदा सेविताङ्घ्रिं गर्भरक्षार्थमारादुपेतैरुपेताम् ॥

kalyana-datrim namasye vedikadhya-striya garbharaksha-karim tvam, balaih sada sevitanghrim garbharaksharthama arad upetair upetam

Garbharakshambika Stotram, verse 4

Meaning

I bow to you, giver of good, who protects the womb, whose feet are served by children and by those who come to you for the womb's protection.

Why we suggest this

It names the purpose plainly: garbha-raksha, protecting the womb.

What you can expect

Comfort in mid-pregnancy.

Best time: Morning; Fridays traditional

Prayer for an easy delivery

Garbharakshambika Shloka for Labour

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

हे शङ्कर स्मरहर प्रमथाधिनाथ मन्नाथ साम्ब शशिचूड हर त्रिशूलिन् ।शम्भो सुखप्रसवकृद्भव मे दयालो हे माधवीवननिवास सदावनं माम् ॥

he shankara smarahara pramathadhinatha mannatha samba shashichuda hara trishulin, shambho sukha-prasava-krid bhava me dayalo he madhavi-vana-nivasa sadavanam mam

Traditional shloka of the Thirukarukavur temple

Meaning

O Shankara, Lord with Amba, wearing the moon, holding the trident: be kind and grant me an easy delivery (sukha-prasava). You who live in the jasmine forest, always protect me.

Why we suggest this

One of very few Sanskrit verses that asks directly for 'sukha prasava', a happy, easy birth. Temple tradition suggests it from the start of pregnancy.

What you can expect

A hopeful, confident attitude towards birth.

Best weeks: Weeks 4–40, and during labour

Honest noteCannot guarantee a normal delivery. A caesarean, when needed, is also a safe and blessed birth.

Protection from illness

Drive Illness Away from the Womb

ब्रह्मणाग्निः संविदानो रक्षोहा बाधतामितः ।अमीवा यस्ते गर्भं दुर्णामा योनिमाशये ॥

brahmanagnih samvidano rakshoha badhatam itah, amiva yas te garbham durnama yonim ashaye

Rig Veda 10.162.1 (hymn to protect the embryo)

Meaning

May Agni, joined with prayer, drive away from here the illness that lies in wait for your womb and baby.

Why we suggest this

An ancient protective verse. 'Amiva' means sickness, so we read the 'demon' as illness.

What you can expect

A feeling of protection. In today's terms, Agni's protection is good hygiene, vaccines, clean food and timely check-ups.

All-round protection

Protect Us with Your Trident

शूलेन पाहि नो देवि पाहि खड्गेन चाम्बिके ।घण्टास्वनेन नः पाहि चापज्यानिःस्वनेन च ॥

shulena pahi no devi pahi khadgena chambike, ghanta-svanena nah pahi chapa-jya-nihsvanena cha

Devi Mahatmya 4.24

Meaning

Protect us, Goddess, with your trident and sword. Protect us with the sound of your bell and the twang of your bow-string.

Why we suggest this

A classic protection verse. Note that it is the sound of the bell that protects, a nice link to Garbh Sanskar's focus on sound.

What you can expect

A feeling of courage. Ring a small bell softly while chanting if you like.

The Goddess as Mother

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu matri-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya, chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as the Mother: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

You are becoming a mother. This verse honours motherhood itself as divine.

What you can expect

Pride and peace in your new role.

Mother and child

Skandamata, the Mother Holding Her Child

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चितकरद्वया ।शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी ॥

simhasana-gata nityam padmanchita-kara-dvaya, shubhadastu sada devi skandamata yashasvini

Navadurga dhyana shloka (5th day of Navaratri)

Meaning

Seated on a lion throne, holding lotuses in her hands, may glorious Skandamata, mother of Skanda, always bring good.

Why we suggest this

Skandamata is shown with baby Skanda on her lap. She is the Navadurga form most linked with motherhood.

What you can expect

A loving picture of mother and child to hold in mind.

Blessing over the pregnancy

Sarva Mangala Mangalye

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

sarva-mangala-mangalye shive sarvartha-sadhike, sharanye tryambake gauri narayani namo 'stu te

Devi Mahatmya 11.10

Meaning

O auspicious one, source of all good, who fulfils every aim, our refuge, Gauri, Narayani: we bow to you.

Why we suggest this

One of the best-known Devi verses, easy for the whole family.

What you can expect

A sense of blessing over the whole pregnancy.

Fears Cannot Come Near

भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै ।महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥

bhuta pisacha nikata nahi avai, mahabira jaba nama sunavai

Hanuman Chalisa, chaupai 24 · Awadhi

Meaning

Evil spirits do not come near when Mahavir's name is said.

Why we suggest this

Traditional families recite it against bad dreams and fear at night, which are common in pregnancy.

What you can expect

Less night-time fear. If nightmares or fears are severe, tell your doctor.

Best time: Bedtime

Garbharakshambika Gayatri

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

ॐ गर्भरक्षाम्बिकायै च विद्महे मङ्गलदेवतायै च धीमहि ।तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात् ॥

om garbharakshambikayai cha vidmahe, mangala-devatayai cha dhimahi, tanno devi prachodayat

Traditional Gayatri form for Garbharakshambika (temple tradition)

Meaning

We know the Mother who protects the womb. We meditate on the goddess of all good things. May she guide and protect us.

Why we suggest this

A short, easy form of the Garbharakshambika prayer for daily use.

What you can expect

A quick daily prayer of protection.

How to practise: 11 or 21 times

Protection (Skanda tradition)

Om Sharavanabhavaya Namah

ॐ शरवणभवाय नमः ॥

om sharavanabhavaya namah

Skanda (Murugan) tradition

Meaning

I bow to Skanda, the child born in the sharavana reeds.

Why we suggest this

Skanda is the beloved child of Skandamata (see “Skandamata, the Mother Holding Her Child”). This short mantra is popular in South Indian pregnancy practice.

What you can expect

A short, rhythmic chant, easy to repeat.

How to practise: 108 times on a mala, or 11 times