Fertility in Hinduism

There are many Hindu deities associated with fertility, the primary one of these being Lord Shiva.

The crescent moon represents changing seasons, and thus, menstrual cycles in many cultures

Because of its ability to shed skin, the snake represent rebirth.

Hinduism has 4 stages of life

  1. Brahmacharya - Student preparing to for success
  2. Grihastha - Householder starting a family
  3. Vanaprashta - Giving back to communities
  4. Sannyasa - Renunciation and dedication to spiritual growth

Both, the Ramayan and the Mahabharth, have stories of fascinating fertility.

Lord Rama's father, King Dasharatha, wanted an heir to the throne. Despite trying with all three of his wives, he remained hopeful. With the help of a yagna (a ritual sacrifice) and the God of Wind, all 3 of his wives simultaneously gave birth to a son: Rama, Lakshman and Bharat.

Meanwhile...

The Kauravs -- from the famous Mahabharat epic -- were an army of 100 brothers, but how exactly did their mother birth so many? A sage gave a boon to their mother, Gandhari, that she would be blessed with 100 sons. To everyone's surprise, her pregnancy went on for 2 years, at the end of which she gave birth a hard lump of mass. She was told to cut this mass into 101 pieces (one for a daughter), which she placed in 101 different pots filled with Ghee... and waited.

 

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Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns. 

 

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