Changes

{{NeedCitation}}

{{NeedCitation}}

Pumsavana is a rite which is performed in pregnancy. Therefore it is one of the pre-natal samskaras in [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Shodasha samskaras]] practiced in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. The term Pumsavan in Pumasavana samskara refers to a process of making something masculine or generation of a masculine. Therefore it is a procedure by which the chances of male child birth are increased.   

Pumsavana is a rite which is performed in pregnancy. Therefore it is one of the pre-natal samskaras in [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Shodasha samskaras]] practiced in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. The term Pumsavana in Pumasavana samskara refers to a process of making something masculine or generation of a masculine. Therefore it is a procedure by which the chances of male child birth are increased.   

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

Charaka Sharira sthana

Charaka Sharira sthana

Considering the woman as pregnant she should be administered pumsavana (measures which help procreate a male progeny) before the foetus is manifested. After taking two undamaged leaf-buds from the easterly and northerly branches of a banyan tree grown in a common place and putting them in curd along with two excellent black gram or white mustard seeds, it should be given to the woman to drink in pusya star. Similarly, the paste of jivaka, rsabhaka, apamarga and saireyaka– collectively or individually as required, added with milk; or putting a kudyakitaka (a type of insect) or matsayka (a small fish) in a handful of water should be given to drink in pusya star. Small and fire-colored man-shaped pieces of gold, silver or iron put in curd, milk or handful of water should be taken wholly in pusya star. In the pusya star itself, she should inhale the steam coming from the preparation of sali rice while being cooked. She should also use a drop with a cotton swab in the right nostril of the liquid made of the flour mixed with water and put on the threshold. Whatever useful measure for pumsavana is suggested by Brahmanas or reliable ladies, they should also be applied. Thus the measures for pumsavana are said.”

Considering the woman as pregnant she should be administered pumsavana (measures which help procreate a male progeny) before the foetus is manifested.  

 

After taking two undamaged leaf-buds from the easterly and northerly branches of a banyan tree grown in a common place and putting them in curd along with two excellent black gram or white mustard seeds, it should be given to the woman to drink in pusya star.  

 

Similarly, the paste of jivaka, rsabhaka, apamarga and saireyaka– collectively or individually as required, added with milk; or putting a kudyakitaka (a type of insect) or matsayka (a small fish) in a handful of water should be given to drink in pusya star.  

 

Small and fire-colored man-shaped pieces of gold, silver or iron put in curd, milk or handful of water should be taken wholly in pusya star.  

 

In the pusya star itself, she should inhale the steam coming from the preparation of sali rice while being cooked. She should also use a drop with a cotton swab in the right nostril of the liquid made of the flour mixed with water and put on the threshold. Whatever useful measure for pumsavana is suggested by Brahmanas or reliable ladies, they should also be applied. Thus the measures for pumsavana are said.”

== Necessity of Pumsavana Karma and its scientific explanation: ==

== Necessity of Pumsavana Karma and its scientific explanation: ==

The  methodology  of  Pumsavana Karma  does  not  limit  to  more  scientific  explanation  or ritualistic performance. At the hour of population explosion, there is definitely a need to have the control over the population in a planned manner by which the ration between the populations be maintained. This is very much necessary to guard the social status and behaviors. Though many of the parents desire to limit their number of children but, however it becomes difficult for them due to the lack of facilities which either determined the sex in  before hand or  due to lack of known scientific  basis to  obtain a child of  desired  sex. However,  the  recent  development  in medical science has discovered a procedure by which the sex of the child in the womb can be determined which is well known as amniocontasis. This is resulted, however, in as bad practice of killing in numerical female foetus. Therefore, the safest measurement still remains negatively at large. On other hand, the science has absolutely no record of any of the in vitro method which can change the sex of the foetus as desired. Therefore, a methodology like Pumsavana Samskara is a needed entity for the present society. By proper understanding of the scientific background and  its  known  implications  will  definitely  receive  rousing  welcome  from  the  educated individuals.<ref name=":0" />

The  methodology  of  Pumsavana Karma  does  not  limit  to  more  scientific  explanation  or ritualistic performance. At the hour of population explosion, there is definitely a need to have the control over the population in a planned manner by which the ration between the populations be maintained. This is very much necessary to guard the social status and behaviors. Though many of the parents desire to limit their number of children but, however it becomes difficult for them due to the lack of facilities which either determined the sex in  before hand or  due to lack of known scientific  basis to  obtain a child of  desired  sex. However,  the  recent  development  in medical science has discovered a procedure by which the sex of the child in the womb can be determined which is well known as amniocenteses. This is resulted, however, in as bad practice of killing in numerical female foetus. Therefore, the safest measurement still remains negatively at large. On other hand, the science has absolutely no record of any of the in vitro method which can change the sex of the foetus as desired. Therefore, a methodology like Pumsavana Samskara is a needed entity for the present society. By proper understanding of the scientific background and  its  known  implications  will  definitely  receive  rousing  welcome  from  the  educated individuals.<ref name=":0" />

== The psycho-spiritual effects of punsavan sanskara on pregnant mother and foetus ==

== The psycho-spiritual effects of punsavan sanskara on pregnant mother and foetus ==