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Line 53: − + − + − + − + − Early references to rituals aimed at masculinizing the foetus are found in the Atharva veda and Samaveda-Mantra-Brahmana.<ref>Rajbali Pandey - Hindu Samskaras – Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments</ref> Masculinizing the fetus is related to life of the developing baby. Thus Ayurveda which is called as the science of life and which is an [[Upavedas (उपवेदाः)|upaveda]] of [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] also gives definite attention to the topic of Pumsavana and deals with the technicalities involved in this samskara.<ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":2" /> + − − === Atharvaveda And Grhyasutras === − (TBE)Under Pumsavana Samskara, Atharva Veda explains a ritual in which the help of the sticks of Shami tree (Prosopis cineraria) and Ashwattha tree (Ficus religiosa or sacred fig) are to be used. It has been stated that a worship conducted by placing the sticks of Shami tree below the sticks of Ashwattha tree signifies the holy union of male and female which results the male offspring.<ref name=":0" /> In a rite called '''Prajapatya''', the husband prays for the wife, “Unto the womb, let the foetus come, a male one as an arrow to a quiver; let a hero be born unto thee here, a ten-months’ son. Give birth to a male, a son; after him let a male be born; mayest thou be mother of sons, of those born and whom thou shall bear etc. ” It appears that some sort of a medicinal herb was also given to the pregnant woman while this verse was chanted. “The plants of which heaven has been the father, earth the mother, ocean the root, let those herbs of the gods favour thee, in order to acquire a son. − − Subsequent references to the ritual, which came to be known as pumsavana are found in the Gruhya sutras. These text prescribe that the pumsavana ritual be conducted in the third or fourth month of pregnancy, on a day when the moon was on a male constellation, especially Pusya, to ensure the masculinization of the foetus. − === Ayurveda ===
→Pumsavana: Historical Glimpse
Pumsavana (Samskrit: पुंसवनम्) is a rite which is performed during pregnancy. It is one of the pre-natal samskaras in [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Shodasha samskaras]] practiced in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. The term Pumsavana refers to a process of making something masculine or generation of a masculine. It is a procedure by which the chances of male child birth are increased.
Pumsavana (Samskrit: पुंसवनम्) is a rite which is performed during pregnancy. It is one of the pre-natal samskaras classified in [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Shodasha samskaras]] practiced in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. The term Pumsavana refers to a process of making something masculine or generation of a masculine. It is a procedure by which the chances of male child birth are increased. After the conception was ascertained, the child in the womb was’ consecrated by the Samskara named Pumsavana.
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== Pumsavana Samskara ==
== Pumsavana Samskara ==
The wise seers of ancient times studied the a combination of procedures of Dharmashastras and Kamashastra, with a little addition of some magical operations to give rise to the Samskara. The origin of this Samskara has been expressly mentioned by Ashvalayana (I.13.1) in his Grhyasutra. <blockquote>उपनिषदि गर्भलम्भनं पुंसवनमनवलोभनञ्च १ (Ashv. Grhy. 1.13.1)</blockquote>Quite clearly it is stated that the Upanishads treat the topics of Garbhalambana, Pumsavana and Anavalobhana.<ref name=":4" />
The wise seers of ancient times studied the a combination of procedures of Dharmashastras and Kamashastra, with a little addition of some magical operations to give rise to the Samskara. The origin of this Samskara has been expressly mentioned by Ashvalayana (I.13.1) in his Grhyasutra. <blockquote>उपनिषदि गर्भलम्भनं पुंसवनमनवलोभनञ्च १ (Ashv. Grhy. 1.13.1)</blockquote>Quite clearly it is stated that the Upanishads treat the topics of Garbhalambana, Pumsavana and Anavalobhana.<ref name=":4" />
=== Pumsavana as in Vedas ===
Early references to rituals aimed at masculinizing the foetus are found in the Atharva veda and Samaveda-Mantra-Brahmana.<ref>Rajbali Pandey - Hindu Samskaras – Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments</ref> Masculinizing the fetus is related to life of the developing baby.
(TBE)Under Pumsavana Samskara, Atharva Veda explains a ritual in which the help of the sticks of Shami tree (Prosopis cineraria) and Ashwattha tree (Ficus religiosa or sacred fig) are to be used. It has been stated that a worship conducted by placing the sticks of Shami tree below the sticks of Ashwattha tree signifies the holy union of male and female which results the male offspring.<ref name=":0" /> In a rite called '''Prajapatya''', the husband prays for the wife, “Unto the womb, let the foetus come, a male one as an arrow to a quiver; let a hero be born unto thee here, a ten-months’ son. Give birth to a male, a son; after him let a male be born; mayest thou be mother of sons, of those born and whom thou shall bear etc. ” It appears that some sort of a medicinal herb was also given to the pregnant woman while this verse was chanted. “The plants of which heaven has been the father, earth the mother, ocean the root, let those herbs of the gods favour thee, in order to acquire a son.
Subsequent references to the ritual, which came to be known as pumsavana are found in the Gruhya sutras. These text prescribe that the pumsavana ritual be conducted in the third or fourth month of pregnancy, on a day when the moon was on a male constellation, especially Pusya, to ensure the masculinization of the foetus.
=== उपयुक्तकालः ॥ Suitable Time of Performance ===
=== उपयुक्तकालः ॥ Suitable Time of Performance ===
This samskara is to be performed when the pregnancy becomes apparent, i.e. third or fourth month, and during the period of Puṣyamī star. A shoot from the fag-end of a branch of Nyagrodha (Banyan tree) is to be crushed and the juice has to be dropped in the right nostril of the wife by husband, while reciting some Mantras, prescribed.
This samskara is to be performed when the pregnancy becomes apparent, i.e. third or fourth month, and during the period of Puṣyamī star. A shoot from the fag-end of a branch of Nyagrodha (Banyan tree) is to be crushed and the juice has to be dropped in the right nostril of the wife by husband, while reciting some Mantras, prescribed.
The religious part includes the ritual by prescribing the sacrifice of a cooked mess of food for Prajapati (PrAjapatya Sthalipaka) and the touching of the wife’s heart with a mantra “ What is in your heart, 0 woman, with well-parted hair, (yat te susime hrdaye),—which is unknown to the Rgveda.<ref name=":4" />
The religious part includes the ritual by prescribing a homa where a cooked mess of food for Prajapati (PrAjapatya Sthalipaka) is offered and the touching of the wife’s heart with a mantra “ What is in your heart, 0 woman, with well-parted hair, (yat te susime hrdaye),—which is unknown to the Rgveda.<ref name=":4" />
In the Yajurveda sutras we find that the magical rite using the curds has not been mentioned, but a few homas and Brahmana bhojana has to be performed. It should be noted that only the salient ritualistic differences between Vedas and their shakas are not discussed here.
In the Yajurveda sutras we find that the magical rite using the curds has not been mentioned, but a few homas and Brahmana bhojana has to be performed. It should be noted that only the salient ritualistic differences between Vedas and their shakas are discussed here.
== Pumsavana: Historical Glimpse ==
== Sociological Perspectives ==
Progeny is the ardent desire of every couple. The structure of the family involving the parents and children maintains a social identity. Every patent has a definite longing for the male and female children. Particularly at the moment of exploring the controls on population and binding socio economic conditions, the parents would definitely like to limit the number of their children and would expect to have choice of the sex of the child before his birth. Therefore, it may not be astonishing that the intellectual medicos of the society put some scientific efforts in this direction to fulfill the desires of the parents. Such endeavors do not seem to have arise only today. It definitely has a long trail of history backing it. The cultural and spiritual ideologies and performances of our society are quite evident for this notion. The ancient scriptures of the Veda also provide the historical support. Many rituals are advocated in the Veda are named as Pumsavan but is should not be considered that the efforts of intellectual and scientists are only towards the increment of the male individuals in the society. In the Veda has also been described the ritual called ‘Staishuya’ which causes the birth of a female child. However, due to certain social belief it seems that the Pumsavana procedure became more popular than the straishaya procedure. Putresti Yajna is also described in Charaka Samhita. A methodology is also explained as Pumsavana Vidhi or Samskara which includes administration of some drugs through the nose as well as the oral route for the pregnant lady. Such method of transforming the sex of the foetus is still new for the present scientific world. Only a few researches were under taken for trial and no such methods are presently observed in practice. Therefore, the Pumsavana Samskara not only provides a histological basis of the medical science but also faces a challenge ahead.<ref name=":0">Amin, Hetal & Sharma, Rohit. (2016). PUMSAVANA SAMSKARA: MYTH OR SCIENCE?. World Journal of Pharmacological Research and Technology. 4. 209-212.</ref>
Progeny is the ardent desire of every couple. The structure of the family involving the parents and children maintains a social identity. Every patent has a definite longing for the male and female children. Particularly at the moment of exploring the controls on population and binding socio economic conditions, the parents would definitely like to limit the number of their children and would expect to have choice of the sex of the child before his birth. Therefore, it may not be astonishing that the intellectual medicos of the society put some scientific efforts in this direction to fulfill the desires of the parents. Such endeavors do not seem to have arise only today. It definitely has a long trail of history backing it. The cultural and spiritual ideologies and performances of our society are quite evident for this notion. The ancient scriptures of the Veda also provide the historical support. Many rituals are advocated in the Veda are named as Pumsavan but is should not be considered that the efforts of intellectual and scientists are only towards the increment of the male individuals in the society. In the Veda has also been described the ritual called ‘Staishuya’ which causes the birth of a female child. However, due to certain social belief it seems that the Pumsavana procedure became more popular than the straishaya procedure. Putresti Yajna is also described in Charaka Samhita. A methodology is also explained as Pumsavana Vidhi or Samskara which includes administration of some drugs through the nose as well as the oral route for the pregnant lady. Such method of transforming the sex of the foetus is still new for the present scientific world. Only a few researches were under taken for trial and no such methods are presently observed in practice. Therefore, the Pumsavana Samskara not only provides a histological basis of the medical science but also faces a challenge ahead.<ref name=":0">Amin, Hetal & Sharma, Rohit. (2016). PUMSAVANA SAMSKARA: MYTH OR SCIENCE?. World Journal of Pharmacological Research and Technology. 4. 209-212.</ref>
Traditionally, male progeny have been preferred, as the continuity of the family is maintained through male lineage, and sons are required to perform the necessary rituals that guarantee a safe sojourn for the father and mother after they leave this world.
Traditionally, male progeny have been preferred, as the continuity of the family is maintained through male lineage, and sons are required to perform the necessary rituals that guarantee a safe sojourn for the father and mother after they leave this world.
== Pumsavana as in Vedas and Ayurveda ==
== Ayurveda ==
Thus Ayurveda which is called as the science of life and which is an [[Upavedas (उपवेदाः)|upaveda]] of [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] also gives definite attention to the topic of Pumsavana and deals with the technicalities involved in this samskara.<ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":2" />
Ayurveda acharyas have expounded a detailed procedure of Pumsavana. Instillation of certain herbs or herbal mixtures via oral or nasal route has ben suggested to perform pumsavana. These procedures are called as pumsavana samskara or pumsavana vidhi. Specific time during pregnancy, time and day in a month according to the constellation has also been advised to perform this vidhi. <ref name=":1">Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8) </ref> <ref name=":2">Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3)</ref> Pumsavana is to be performed once the pregnancy is confirmed and thus this samskara can be included under Garbha-samskaras or [[Suprajanana Samskara (सुप्रजनन संस्कारः)|Suprajanana Samskaras]]. Ayurveda scholars had identified that constitutional characteristics of male and female gamets (ovum and semen), day of sexual union, diet of male and female partners have considerable impact on the sex/gender determination of the fetus but at the same time, certain procedures can also alter the sex/gender of the fetus if performed in a prescribed manner. These are described under Punmsavana.
Ayurveda acharyas have expounded a detailed procedure of Pumsavana. Instillation of certain herbs or herbal mixtures via oral or nasal route has ben suggested to perform pumsavana. These procedures are called as pumsavana samskara or pumsavana vidhi. Specific time during pregnancy, time and day in a month according to the constellation has also been advised to perform this vidhi. <ref name=":1">Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8) </ref> <ref name=":2">Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3)</ref> Pumsavana is to be performed once the pregnancy is confirmed and thus this samskara can be included under Garbha-samskaras or [[Suprajanana Samskara (सुप्रजनन संस्कारः)|Suprajanana Samskaras]]. Ayurveda scholars had identified that constitutional characteristics of male and female gamets (ovum and semen), day of sexual union, diet of male and female partners have considerable impact on the sex/gender determination of the fetus but at the same time, certain procedures can also alter the sex/gender of the fetus if performed in a prescribed manner. These are described under Punmsavana.