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== Pumsavana Samskara ==
 
== Pumsavana Samskara ==
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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" />
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It is a threefold rite, namely,
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# magical
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# medical
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# religious
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=== उपयुक्तकालः ॥ Suitable Time of Performance ===
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The time prescribed and generally approved by all seems to be the third month of pregnancy. As an option to the third month, Paraskara suggests the second month, or rather before the garbha (foetus) begins to move, while Bharadvaja and Jaimini extend it to the fourth month. According to Gobhila, the first half of the third month is desirable, Baudhayana and Apastamba do not prescribe any particular month, but allow the rite to be performed as soon as the signs of conception are visible. Manava and Kathaka alone advise the rite to be performed in the later months of pregnancy.<ref name=":4" />
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The rationale given is that the time the samskara should be performed should be as early as possible, before the foetus in womb could move; and looking to the belief that the Samskara could effect the generation of a male child, the early period of pregnancy is more justifiable for the Samskara than the advanced months of pregnancy.<ref name=":4" />
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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.
 
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.
  

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