12 shlokas · Weeks 28–37

Third trimester shlokas to prepare your mind for birth

The last weeks can bring excitement, tiredness and fear, all at once. These verses give you calm pictures of birth to hold in your mind. The Rig Veda compares birth to wind rippling across a lotus pond. Verses from the Atharva Veda ask for the body to relax and open. Bhae Pragat Kripala sings of Kausalya's joy at Rama's birth, and two verses from the Bhagavad Gita remind you to prepare well, then let go of the idea of a perfect birth.

Most of these verses are for weeks 28 to 37. Two belong to the Seemantham, or Godh Bharai, ceremony held in the sixth or eighth month, and you may like to read them that day. Choose one or two verses and say them at the same time each day, until labour begins. Ask your birth partner to learn them too. Familiar words are easier to hold on to later.

Chanting may help you feel calmer, but it cannot decide how your birth goes. Every safe birth, including a caesarean, is a good birth. Follow your doctor's or midwife's advice, go to every check-up, and call them straight away if anything worries you. Read our disclaimer

Last updated 11 October 2026

How to practise these verses

For every verse below, unless it says otherwise.

Best time: Same time every day
How to practise: Choose 1–2 'birth verses' and repeat them daily until labour
Who can chant: Mother and birth partner
Best weeks: Weeks 28–37

Honest noteMay help you feel calmer. It cannot guarantee a normal delivery. Every safe birth, including a caesarean, is a good birth.

A gentle picture of birth

Like Wind Across a Lotus Pond

यथा वातः पुष्करिणीं समिङ्गयति सर्वतः ।एवा ते गर्भ एजतु निरैतु दशमास्यः ॥

yatha vatah pushkarinim samingayati sarvatah, eva te garbha ejatu niraitu dashamasyah

Rig Veda 5.78.7

Meaning

As the wind ripples a lotus pond on every side, so may your baby move and come out after ten months.

Why we suggest this

A gentle, flowing picture of birth, with no fear in it. One of the best-known Vedic birth verses.

What you can expect

A calm picture of birth to hold in your mind, which can ease fear of labour.

Baby shower (Seemantham) verse

Raka, the Full-Moon Goddess

राकामहं सुहवां सुष्टुती हुवे शृणोतु नः सुभगा बोधतु त्मना ।सीव्यत्वपः सूच्याच्छिद्यमानया ददातु वीरं शतदायमुक्थ्यम् ॥

rakam aham suhavam sushtuti huve, shrinotu nah subhaga bodhatu tmana, sivyatv apah suchyachchhidyamanaya, dadatu viram shata-dayam ukthyam

Rig Veda 2.32.4; used in Simantonnayana (Paraskara Grihya Sutra 1.15)

Meaning

I call Raka, the kind full-moon goddess. May she hear us. May she sew her work with an unbreaking needle. May she give a brave, generous, praiseworthy child.

Why we suggest this

It belongs to the Simantonnayana (Seemantham, Godh Bharai) rite held in the 6th or 8th month. The 'unbreaking needle' is a lovely image of the baby being carefully stitched together. We read 'vira' as a brave child of any gender.

What you can expect

A link to your own baby-shower ceremony. Read it on that day.

Best weeks: Weeks 24–34 (Seemantham)

Music for the mother

The Simantonnayana Song

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

सोम एव नो राजेमा मानुषीः प्रजाः ।अविमुक्तचक्र आसीरंस्तीरे तुभ्यमसौ ॥

soma eva no rajema manushih prajah, avimukta-chakra asirams tire tubhyam asau

Ashvalayana Grihya Sutra 1.14

Meaning

Soma alone is our king, and of these people. They live, their wheels never stopping, on the bank of your river (name of river).

Why we suggest this

In this rite, two lute players sing this song to the pregnant wife. It shows that music for the mother is an old Indian pregnancy custom.

What you can expect

A good 'story' verse for your Seemantham. Add your local river's name.

Best weeks: Weeks 24–34 (Seemantham)

Relaxing for birth

Let Her Relax and Be Ready to Give Birth

वषट् ते पूषन्नस्मिन्त्सूतावर्यमा होता कृणोतु वेधाः ।सिस्रतां नार्यृतप्रजाता वि पर्वाणि जिहतां सूतवा उ ॥

vashat te pushann asmin sutav aryama hota krinotu vedhah, sisratam nary rita-prajata vi parvani jihatam sutava u

Atharva Veda 1.11.1 ('For successful childbirth')

Meaning

At this birth, O Pushan, may Aryaman, the wise priest, call out the blessing. May the woman, giving birth at the right time, relax. May her joints loosen for the birth.

Why we suggest this

It asks for the body to relax and open. Feeling relaxed can make labour feel more manageable.

What you can expect

A cue to soften your shoulders, jaw and breath. Practise it during prenatal relaxation.

Not alone in this

The Four Directions Brought the Baby

चतस्रो दिवः प्रदिशश्चतस्रो भूम्या उत ।देवा गर्भं समैरयन्तं व्यूर्णुवन्तु सूतवे ॥

chatasro divah pradishash chatasro bhumya uta, deva garbham samairayan tam vyurnuvantu sutave

Atharva Veda 1.11.2

Meaning

Four are the directions of the sky, and four of the earth. The gods brought this baby together. May they open the way for birth.

Why we suggest this

A calm, wide picture, as if the whole universe is helping.

What you can expect

A sense that you are not alone in this.

Joy of birth

Bhae Pragat Kripala – Stanza 1

भए प्रगट कृपाला दीनदयाला कौसल्या हितकारी ।हरषित महतारी मुनि मन हारी अद्भुत रूप बिचारी ॥लोचन अभिरामा तनु घनस्यामा निज आयुध भुज चारी ।भूषन बनमाला नयन बिसाला सोभासिंधु खरारी ॥

bhae pragata kripala dinadayala kausalya hitakari, harashita mahatari muni mana hari adbhuta rupa bichari; lochana abhirama tanu ghanasyama nija ayudha bhuja chari, bhushana banamala nayana bisala sobhasindhu kharari

Ramcharitmanas, Bal Kand 192 (chhand) · Awadhi

Meaning

The kind Lord, friend of the humble, appeared for Kausalya's joy. The mother was thrilled, looking at his wonderful form: lovely eyes, a cloud-dark body, four arms, a garland and large eyes.

Why we suggest this

The birth hymn sung at Ram Navami and in North Indian baby rituals. A mother's joy at birth is its whole subject.

What you can expect

Joy and happy anticipation. Lovely to listen to when sung.

A gentle time of birth

The Ninth Day, Neither Cold nor Hot

नौमी तिथि मधु मास पुनीता ।सुकल पच्छ अभिजित हरिप्रीता ॥मध्यदिवस अति सीत न घामा ।पावन काल लोक बिश्रामा ॥

naumi tithi madhu masa punita, sukala pachchha abhijita haripita; madhya-divasa ati sita na ghama, pavana kala loka bisrama

Ramcharitmanas, Bal Kand 191 (chaupai) · Awadhi

Meaning

On the ninth day of the holy month of Chaitra, at the dear Abhijit hour, at midday, neither too cold nor too hot: a sacred time when the whole world was at rest.

Why we suggest this

It describes a gentle, comfortable time for a birth.

What you can expect

A soothing picture of birth.

Honest noteEvery birth date is a good date. No mantra needs a 'muhurta' caesarean.

Courage in the final weeks

Sankatmochan Refrain

को नहिं जानत है जग में कपि संकटमोचन नाम तिहारो ॥

ko nahi janata hai jaga mein kapi sankatamochana nama tiharo

Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak (traditionally attributed to Tulsidas), refrain · Awadhi

Meaning

Who in the world does not know your name, Hanuman, remover of troubles?

Why we suggest this

A strong, hopeful refrain for the anxious final weeks.

What you can expect

Courage before birth.

Strong feelings near the due date

Sharanagata – Protector of Those Who Come for Refuge

शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणपरायणे ।सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

sharanagata-dinarta-paritrana-parayane, sarvasyarti-hare devi narayani namo 'stu te

Devi Mahatmya 11.12

Meaning

O Goddess, devoted to saving the humble and suffering who come to you, who removes everyone's pain: I bow to you.

Why we suggest this

A verse for the strong feelings of the last weeks.

What you can expect

Comfort; a good verse to keep for labour too.

The Goddess as Patience

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

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

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

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

Why we suggest this

The last weeks can feel endless. This line honours patience as a form of the Goddess.

What you can expect

A calmer waiting period.

Letting go of the birth plan

Do Your Part, Let Go of Results

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥

karmany evadhikaras te ma phaleshu kadachana, ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango 'stv akarmani

Bhagavad Gita 2.47

Meaning

You have a right to your effort, not to its results. Do not act only for the reward, and do not give up action either.

Why we suggest this

Births rarely go exactly to plan. This verse helps you prepare well and then let go.

What you can expect

Less pressure about 'the perfect birth'.

Faith with effort

Where Wisdom and Effort Meet

यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः ।तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥

yatra yogeshvarah krishno yatra partho dhanur-dharah, tatra shrir vijayo bhutir dhruva nitir matir mama

Bhagavad Gita 18.78 (the last verse of the Gita)

Meaning

Where there is Krishna, Lord of yoga, and Arjuna, ready with his bow, there will be good fortune, victory, well-being and right action.

Why we suggest this

Faith and effort together: your prayers and your care team, side by side.

What you can expect

Confidence going into the final weeks.