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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 in Pumasavana samskara 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 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.  

== Etymology ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Puṃsavanam and Puṃsuvanam are synonyms. It 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<blockquote>पुमान् सूयते अनेन इति पुंसवनम्। pumān sūyate anena iti puṃsavanam।</blockquote>Male child is born by this process and therefore it is called Puṃsavanam.<blockquote>पुंसुवनं व्यक्ते गर्भे तिष्येण। (आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम्, १४.९) puṃsuvanaṃ vyakte garbhe tiṣyeṇa। (Āpastambagṛhyasūtram, 14.9)</blockquote>The Puṃsuvanam is to be performed when pregnancy is apparent under the star "Tiṣya" (or Puṣyamī). Puṃsavanam and Puṃsuvanam are synonyms.  

 

It 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.

== Pumsavana: Historical Glimpse ==

== Pumsavana: Historical Glimpse ==

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 described in vedas and Ayurveda ==

== Pumsavana as in Vedas and Ayurveda ==

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" />   

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" />   

=== Atharva veda And Grhyasutras ===

=== 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.   

(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.