2. Rites Related to Birth (e): Sīmantonnayana

Another rite, having a similar intention with the above-quoted one, was also practised to guard a pregnant woman from demons. According to the Atharvavedic notion, abortion was brought by the demons called Kaṇvas and other evil forces.^[1] Hence, they lauded Agni to control the demons, who destroy the embryo.^[2]

In this rite, an amulet of white and yellow mustard was tied to the neck of the pregnant woman.^[3] The amulet was consecrated with the three consecutive Atharvavedic hymns, yau te mātā…, etc. (8.6), which are interpreted as arthasūkta by Sāyaṇācārya.^[4] The hymn itself discloses the significance of white and yellow mustard.Noteworthily, it is observed here that though Kauśika has not assigned any name to this rite, yet, the commentators have called it Sīmantonnayana and it should be performed on the eighth month of pregnancy.^[5] This Sīmantonnayana does not match with its original derivative meaning because the term stands for the rite in which the hair of a pregnant woman are parted.^[6]