Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares baby shower glimpses from Isha Foundation, explains sacred rituals

Sharing a series of pictures and videos on Instagram, Samantha opened up about the traditional rituals performed during the ceremony and explained why the experience was particularly meaningful to her.

She said she has always had a deep respect for traditions, even when she did not fully understand the meaning behind every ritual.

Samantha explains meaning behind rituals

Samantha said the priest conducting the ceremony was a Srividya Upaasaka who explained each step and its significance to her.

"I have always had a deep respect for our traditions. I may not understand the meaning behind every ritual, but I have always believed that there is something deeper at work," she wrote, referring to the power of mantras, chanting and ancient practices passed down through generations.

She said that as the priest explained the rituals, she began to understand the thought and symbolism behind each one.

"Every mantra had a purpose. Every offering had a meaning. Every step had its place," Samantha wrote.

What is the Kalaa Aavarana ritual?

Among the rituals performed during the ceremony was Kalaa Aavarana, also known as Sri Kalpam, a specialised practice associated with the Srividya tradition.

Samantha explained that the ritual honours the 94 kalas of Devi, representing her divine qualities through the seven chakras of the mother-to-be.

She said sacred water and mantras are used as part of the ritual to cleanse and energise these centres, with the intention of invoking consciousness and blessings.

'Mother is seen as Devi herself'

Samantha said what moved her most was the way the ritual views the mother-to-be.

According to her, the mother is honoured as Devi herself and as the sacred creator through whom another life is taking shape.

"What moved me most was the way the mother is seen through this ritual. She is honoured as Devi herself, as the sacred creator through whom another life is taking form," she wrote.

She described the ceremony as a blessing not only for the unborn child but also for the woman entering a new phase of her life.

Samantha explains Sri Chakra ritual

Following the abhishekam, Samantha said the mother-to-be is seated at the sacred centre of the Sri Chakra Yantram.

She explained that the yantram consists of nine aavaranas, representing different stages of a spiritual journey.

At its centre is the bindu, a single point symbolising the source of creation and the presence of Lalita Tripurasundari.

Samantha also explained the significance of the Devi Khadgamaala recitation performed during the ceremony.

According to her, the recitation involves chanting the names of deities and divine energies associated with the nine enclosures.

The practice symbolically moves from the outer layers towards the centre, while invoking protection and blessings.

She said the chanting is believed to create a protective field around the mother and child and offer the unborn baby a sacred samskaara, or spiritual imprint, through mantra.

'I came away feeling deeply blessed'

Reflecting on the experience, Samantha said she went into the ceremony knowing very little about it but came away feeling "deeply blessed and protected".

"There was something incredibly powerful about sitting there, experiencing all of this while understanding what was being invoked for me and for the baby," she wrote.

The actor thanked her friend Shilpa Reddy for giving her the opportunity to experience the ceremony and expressed gratitude to everyone involved in creating the sacred space and conducting the rituals.

Samantha shares photo with Raj Nidimoru

Among the pictures shared by Samantha was a photograph featuring Raj Nidimoru, who was seen standing beside her during the ceremony.

Samantha and Raj are expecting their first child in December. The couple has not yet revealed the exact due date.