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English 332 (Throughout B/w Illustrations) Introduction What is Family Planning? World Health Organization defines family planning as - "Voluntary planning which involves various measures to be taken by a couple to prevent or delay the pregnancy. These measures are broadly classified as contraception, abortion and sterilization. Family planning also includes measures taken to treat infertility in order to achieve pregnancy." Many a times, infertility is caused due to abuse of methods to prevent pregnancy such as abortions, hormonal pills, etc. Overall, modern family planning is more or less a skill of using contraception and undergoing abortion or sterilization to terminate unwanted progeny while continuing to succumb to the sensual fetters of the unplanned sex life. In Vedic understanding, this is an uncivilized and uncultured way of family planning. The foundational principles of modern family planning do not aim to lead an individual to the ultimate goal of life nor help one enlighten towards such a goal. Therefore, such plans are condemned in Vedas as sinful. A cultured alternative is provided by Vedas called as Garbhadhana-samskara, a great science in itself. That is the subject matter of this book. The Vedic conception of Family Planning is a conscious planning of the act of sexual consummation driven by the sole purpose of obtaining a virtuous progeny and not for sense gratification. Therefore, the act of sexual union is considered as a sacred act of yajna or offering to Lord Vishnu. This sacred act is governed by a set of medical, cultural, astrological and spiritual instructions. It is indeed a great science! Many Vedic texts consider that, Garbhadhana-sams