Vedic evidence that the fetus in the womb is listening

Amaranth Yatra Special, the Yatra starts from: 29th June to 13th August.

There is a lot of research in modern medicine, which suggests that we should name our child before he or she is born, talk to the baby and make the baby listen to the music. It is said that between 12-16 weeks the baby is ready to listen and respond to the external stimuli.  This has led to the concept of ‘conscious pregnancy’ based on Abhimanyu concept. The west today is trying to prove that the fetus inside responds to the loudness of music and to the emotions of the mother.  

It may be true in the west to look for western evidences and try to prove whether it is true or not, but as Indians we have enough Vedic evidence in the form of stories that it is true. There are three instances in the Vedic literature I know of, that prove this. Vedic proof not only relates to the fact that the fetus is listening but even provides evidence that the fertilized egg too can hear.

As per the Vedic literature, the first evidence is the incidence of pigeon ova listening to Shiva in Amarnath cave, second is the birth of Sage Ashtavakra and the third is the birth of Abhimanyu in Mahabharata.

The birth of immortal pigeons: In the tale of Amarnath Cave, the cave was chosen by Shiva for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe to Parvati. To ensure that no living being could hear the Immortal Tale, he created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave. Then, He started narrating the secret of immortality to Parvati. But as a matter of chance, one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin remained protected. It is believed to be non living and more over it was protected by Shiva-Parvati Asana. The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal having heard the secret of immortality (Amar Katha). 

Birth of Sage Ashtavakra (Stories from Mahabharata): Long ago, there was a learned Rishi Uddalaka. One of his disciples Kahoda, pleased his Guru exceedingly with his devotion. So impressed was Uddalaka, that when Kahoda finished his studies, he married his daughter Sujata to him. Sujata became pregnant. She was in the habit of sitting near her father and husband while they were teaching. Her unborn child attained mastery over the Vedas by listening to his grandfather. Kahoda was not equally skilled as his Guru and made a number of mistakes while reciting the scriptures. Unable to bear these errors, the child started correcting them from his mother's womb! Humiliated before his disciples, Kahoda cursed his son, saying, "As you insulted your father, may you be born with eight bends in your body!" Accordingly, the child was born with his body crooked in eight places, and was named Ashtavakra (one with eight deformations).

The birth of Abhimanyu: As an unborn child in his mother's womb, Abhimanyu learned the knowledge of entering the deadly and virtually impenetrable Chakravyuha from Arjuna, his father. He overheard Arjuna talking about this with his wife Subhadra. Arjuna explains to Subhadra in detail, the technique of attacking and escaping from various vyuhas (an array of army formation) such as Makaravyuha, Kurmavyuha, Sarpavyuha etc. After explaining all the vyuhas, he explains about the technique of cracking Chakravyuha. Arjuna explains to her how to enter the Chakravyuha. When he was about to explain how to exit from the Chakravyuha, he realizes that Subhadra is asleep and stops expounding on the Chakravyuha further. As a result, the baby Abhimanyu in the womb did not get a chance to learn how to come out of it.