Garbha Rakshambika Stotram

Garbha Rakshambika Stotram:  

Once there lived a Rishi called Nidhruva who lived with his beautiful wife Vedhika in an Ashram. He spent his life praying to the lord and performing holy rites. They were very happy, except that they didn’t have a child, so they prayed fervently to the lord to be blessed with a child.

After many prayers Vedhika became pregnant. Everything was going on well and the couple was eagerly expecting their firstborn child. One day Nidhruva left to visit Lord Varuna by traveling through the skies. The rishis in those days had many powers. Vedhika was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, When he was gone, Sage Urdhvapada visited the Ashram. Vedhika was alone in the ashram and since she was in an advanced state of pregnancy and very tired after the daily household chores, she was lying down and taking rest. Vedhika didn't notice the Rishi or hear him, therefore, she failed to respond and unwittingly failed to offer, due hospitality to the guest. Urdhvapada felt terribly insulted and unaware of her pregnancy got incensed at her conduct and cursed her for not paying due respects to him. He cursed that she should suffer from a disease called “Rayatchu”, as a result of which poor Vedhika was struck with a foul disease, which began to eat into the very vitals of not only herself but also the child in her womb. 

Vedhika realized the effect of the curse and that the baby in the womb had become deformed because of this curse. The helpless Vedhika fervently prayed for relief to Goddess Parvati who in the plentitude of her mercy appeared before Vedhika, the Goddess offered protection to the embryo by keeping it in a divine pot till it bloomed into a full-fledged child. The fetus that was saved by Goddess Parvathi develops into a beautiful healthy male child called Naidhruvan, who receives blessings from Lord Shiva (Mullaivana Nathar) and Goddess Parvati. The holy cow Kamadhenu gives its milk to the newborn baby thus blessing and nourishing the baby.

When sage Nidhruva returned and heard what had happened, he was overwhelmed by the grace of the Almighty. He prayed to Lord Shiva (MullaivanaNathar) and Goddess Parvati (Garbharakshambika) that they should shower their blessings to all devotees praying to them. He fell at the feet of Goddess Parvati and prayed that she should take a permanent abode at the place and continue to offer protection to future generations of women also. Thus we find this prayer being fulfilled even to this day.

Since the Goddess Parvathi appeared in the form of a savior to protect Vedhika’s unborn child, she was known as Shri Garbharakshambika (The one who protects the unborn child or the one who protects the womb). To this day, pregnant women visiting this temple at Thirukarukkavur which is 20 km from the town of Tanjore and praying to Shri Garbharakshambika have a peaceful delivery and it is believed that the Devi takes care of them and vouches for safety to women during pregnancy and childbirth, just as she took care of Vedhika. 

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Sri Madhavi kananasye-Garbha,
Rakshambike pahi bhaktham sthuvantham. 

In the forest of sacred jasmine, devotees pray,
Protect us Oh protector of pregnancy

Vapi thate vama bhage, vama
Devasya devi sthidha thwam,
Manyaa varenyaa vadaanya, pahi,
Garbhasya janthun thadha bhktha lokaan. 1

In the shore of the pond, you are,
Situated on the left side of the God,
Oh respected goddess, Oh giver of boons,
Oh Goddess who speaks with grace,
Protect all animals and devotees during pregnancy.

Sri Garbha raksha pure yaa, divya,
Soundarya yuktha, sumangalya gathri,
Dhathree, janithri janaanaam, divya,
Roopaam Dhayardraam manognaam bhaje thaam. 2

Oh Goddess of the town of protection of pregnancy,
Who is blessed with divine beauty, who carries a good mangalya*,
Who gives every one, who is the mother of all,
Who is pretty, who melts with mercy, I sing about you.
*The mangal Suthra-It could also mean a god with blessed form

Aashada mase supunye, shukra,
Vaare sugandhena gandhena liptha,
Divyambaraa kalpa veshaa, vaja,
Peyadhi yagasya bhakthasya sudrushtaa. 3

In the month of Ashada*, on Fridays,
You are covered with scented sandal paste,
And dressed in divine cloths and offered,
By lucky devotees, the Vajapeya sacrifice.
* July-August of the Souramana Hindu calendar

Kalyana dhathrim namasye, Vedi,
Kangcha Sthriyaa Garbha raksha kareem thwaam,
Baalai sada sevithaangri,Garbha
Rakshartha, maaraa dhupe thaiu pethaam. 4

I salute her who gives all that is good, who,
Protects Vedic pundits and pregnancy of women,
For she always protects children in pregnancies,
When the delivery time comes very near for them.

Brahmothsava vipra veedhyaam, Vaadhya,
Gosheena thushtaam radhena sannivishtaam,
Sarvartha dhatrim bhajeham, deva,
Vrundaira peedaayaam Jagan matharam thwam. 5

During the Brahmothsava,* along with sound of music,
Sitting on a chariot you go round the streets of Brahmins,
And I pray you,who is the giver of all that is good,
Who removes the problems of groups of gods,
And is the mother of the entire universe.
*Annual festival

Yethad krutham stotra rathnam, Deekshitha,
Anantha ramena devyaa thustachyai,
Nithyam padethyasthu bhakthya, puthra,
Pothradhi bhagyam BHavethasya nithyam. 6

This jewel of prayer, composed by Anantha Rama Deekshithar,
For the sake of pleasing the goddess, If read daily with devotion,
Would lead to sons, grand sons and daily luck.

Ithi Brahma sri Anantharama Deekshitha virachitham 
Garbha rakshambikaa stotram SAmpoornam.
Thus ends the prayer addressed to Garbha Rakshambika,
Composed by Sri Anantha Rama Deekshithar. 

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