Changes

- perform the ceremonies after the death of a person   

- perform the ceremonies after the death of a person   

- offer tarpanas and perform shraddha karmas for the pitrs (ancestors)   

- offer tarpanas and perform [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]] karmas for the pitrs (ancestors)   

- support the Grhasthaashrama on whom all other sections of the society are dependent   

- support the [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|Grhasthashrama]] on whom all other sections of the society are dependent   

- produce progeny for the continuation of the lineage and relieve the pitrs of the three rnas   

- produce progeny for the [[Family Structure in Sanatana Dharma (सनातनीय कुटुम्बव्यवस्था)|continuation of the lineage]] and relieve the pitrs of the three [[Rna (ऋणम्)|rnas]]  

- perform yajnas for the welfare of the society   

- perform [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] for the welfare of the family as well as the society   

In the Rigveda we find suktas, mantras, yajnas asking for blessings from devatas to bestow a son — a powerful and virtuous son — on the man who prays.<ref name=":4">Deshpande, Kamalabai (1936) ''The Child in Ancient India.'' Poona: Aryasamskrti Press (Pages 28-)</ref> The Atharvaveda describes mantras, medicinal herbs and social obligations for the man to cohabit with his wife and raise healthy progeny. 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.   

In the [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] we find suktas, mantras, yajnas asking for blessings from devatas to bestow a son — a powerful and virtuous son — on the man who prays.<ref name=":4">Deshpande, Kamalabai (1936) ''The Child in Ancient India.'' Poona: Aryasamskrti Press (Pages 28-43)</ref> The [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] describes mantras, medicinal herbs and social obligations for the man to cohabit with his wife and raise healthy progeny. 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.   

It is in the Upanishads, that we see prescriptions for obtaining a progeny of choice (male or female) with particular qualities. The [[Garbhadhanam (गर्भाधानम्)|Garbhadhana Samskara]] involved certain processes to bring about conjugal closeness between the newly married couple and rites for begetting children in general, while the Pumsavana Samskara is a specific sacrament for having male progeny. The Brhdaranyaka Upanishad gives a detailed description of putramantha, i. e. a yajna for getting a son. (Brhd. Upan. 5.6.4)<ref name=":4" />   

It is in the [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]], that we see prescriptions for obtaining a progeny of choice (male or female) with particular qualities. The [[Garbhadhana (गर्भाधानम्)|Garbhadhana Samskara]] involved certain processes to bring about conjugal closeness between the newly married couple and rites for begetting children in general, while the Pumsavana Samskara is a specific sacrament for having male progeny. The Brhdaranyaka Upanishad gives a detailed description of putramantha, i. e. a yajna for getting a son. (Brhd. Upan. 5.6.4)<ref name=":4" />   

== व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

<blockquote>पुमान् सूयते अनेन इति पुंसवनम्। pumān sūyate anena iti puṃsavanam।</blockquote>Male child is born by this rite and therefore it is called Puṃsavanam.

<blockquote>पुमान् सूयते अनेन इति पुंसवनम्। pumān sūyate anena iti puṃsavanam।

गर्भाद् भवेच्च पुंसूते पुंस्त्वरूपप्रतिपादनम्। From the womb a male child is born, a process of making something masculine or generation of a masculine form. 'पुमान्' or a Male is one who helps cross the Naraka named 'पुम्' (Pum) Naraka, hence he is called Putra.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 99-104)</ref> During this sacrament the Veda mantras are recited mentioning पुमान् or पुत्र and favor the birth of a son.<blockquote>पुमांसं पुत्रं जनय तं पुमान् अनु जायताम् । भवासि पुत्राणां माता जातानां जनयाश्च यान् ॥३॥ (Atha. Veda. 3.23.3)

पुमान् प्रसूयते येन कर्मणा तत् पुंसवनमीरितम् । (Viramitrodaya)</blockquote>Male child is born by this rite and therefore it is called Puṃsavanam. गर्भाद् भवेच्च पुंसूते पुंस्त्वरूपप्रतिपादनम्। From the womb a male child is born, a process of making something masculine or generation of a masculine form. 'पुमान्' or a Male is one who helps cross the Naraka named 'पुम्' (Pum) Naraka, hence he is called Putra.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 99-104)</ref> During this sacrament the Veda mantras are recited mentioning पुमान् or पुत्र and favor the birth of a son.<blockquote>पुमांसं पुत्रं जनय तं पुमान् अनु जायताम् । भवासि पुत्राणां माता जातानां जनयाश्च यान् ॥३॥ (Atha. Veda. 3.23.3)

पुंसुवनं व्यक्ते गर्भे तिष्येण। (आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम्, १४.९) puṃsuvanaṃ vyakte garbhe tiṣyeṇa। (Āpas. Gṛhy. 14.9)</blockquote>The Puṃsuvanam is to be performed when pregnancy is apparent under the star "Tiṣya" (or Puṣyamī). Puṃsavanam and Puṃsuvanam are synonyms.  

पुंसुवनं व्यक्ते गर्भे तिष्येण। (आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम्, १४.९) puṃsuvanaṃ vyakte garbhe tiṣyeṇa। (Āpas. Gṛhy. 14.9)</blockquote>The Puṃsuvanam is to be performed when pregnancy is apparent under the star "Tiṣya" (or Puṣyamī). Puṃsavanam and Puṃsuvanam are synonyms.  

== 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 Pumsavana 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 (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]] and Kamashastra, with a little addition of some magical operations to give rise to the Pumsavana 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" />

=== Prajapatya as in Vedas ===

=== Prajapatya as in Vedas ===

Early references to rituals aimed at masculinizing the foetus are found in the Atharvaveda and Samaveda-Mantra-Brahmana.<ref name=":12" /> Masculinizing the fetus is related to life of the developing baby. Atharvaveda dedicates Sukta 11 in Kanda 6 to Prajapatya (or Pumasavana).<ref name=":3">Dr. Tulsi Ram (2013) ''Atharvaveda, Vol 1.'' Delhi: Vijaykumar Govindram Hasanand</ref> <blockquote>पुंसि वै रेतो भवति तत्स्त्रियामनु षिच्यते । तद्वै पुत्रस्य वेदनं तत्प्रजापतिरब्रवीत्॥२॥ (Atha. Veda. 6.11.2) </blockquote>Meaning: Man possesses the seed (semen), he discharges it in the womb of a female. That (along with the use of asvattha) gives rise to the male child with certainty. This is what Prajapati, the sustainer of humanity has said.<ref>Devi Chand. ''The Atharvaveda, Sanskrit text with English translation''. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (Page 217)</ref>  

Early references to rituals aimed at masculinizing the foetus are found in the Atharvaveda and [[Samaveda (सामवेदः)|Samaveda]]-Mantra-Brahmana.<ref name=":12" /> Masculinizing the fetus is related to life of the developing baby. Atharvaveda dedicates Sukta 11 in Kanda 6 to Prajapatya (or Pumasavana).<ref name=":3">Dr. Tulsi Ram (2013) ''Atharvaveda, Vol 1.'' Delhi: Vijaykumar Govindram Hasanand</ref> <blockquote>पुंसि वै रेतो भवति तत्स्त्रियामनु षिच्यते । तद्वै पुत्रस्य वेदनं तत्प्रजापतिरब्रवीत्॥२॥ (Atha. Veda. 6.11.2) </blockquote>Meaning: Man possesses the seed (semen), he discharges it in the womb of a female. That (along with the use of asvattha) gives rise to the male child with certainty. This is what Prajapati, the sustainer of humanity has said.<ref>Devi Chand. ''The Atharvaveda, Sanskrit text with English translation''. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (Page 217)</ref>  

As per Dr. Tulsiram, this sukta says two things for the birth of a male child: the powder of five parts of a peepal (asvattha) tree rooted and grown on a shami tree when taken by the woman produces certain chemical and genetic conditions in the woman for the birth of a male child. Secondly, the man should be virile, and the wife should be sober at heart and graceful in culture and conduct.<ref name=":3" />  

As per Dr. Tulsiram, this sukta says two things for the birth of a male child: the powder of five parts of a peepal (asvattha) tree rooted and grown on a shami tree when taken by the woman produces certain chemical and genetic conditions in the woman for the birth of a male child. Secondly, the man should be virile, and the wife should be sober at heart and graceful in culture and conduct.<ref name=":3" />  

As per this vidhi the 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.  

As per this vidhi the 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 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" />

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 Rigveda.<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 discussed here.

In the [[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]] sutras we find that the magical rite using the curds has not been mentioned, but a few homas and [[Brahmana Dharma (ब्राह्मणधर्मः)|Brahmana]] bhojana has to be performed. It should be noted that only the salient ritualistic differences between Vedas and their shakas are discussed here.

=== Adhikara ===

=== अधिकारः ॥ Adhikara ===

The Puṁsāvana like coneption was to performed by the husband in first place and he was the natural performer. The Garbhadhana Saṁskāra was outsourced to either the brother in law or Sapiṅda or Sagotra person in the absence of the husband, a practice though put to rest in the later stages. But Puṁsāvana being less intimate rite, which did not involve the direct approach of the performer and the one being performed at, was allowed with certain set of instructions. Raghunathnanda also advices that this Saṁskāra could be performed by others in the absence of right person.

The Puṁsāvana like conception was to performed by the husband in first place and he was the natural performer. The Garbhadhana Saṁskāra was outsourced to either the brother in law or Sapiṅda or Sagotra person in the absence of the husband, a practice though put to rest in the later stages. But Puṁsāvana being less intimate rite, which did not involve the direct approach of the performer and the one being performed at, was allowed with certain set of instructions. Raghunathnanda also advices that this Saṁskāra could be performed by others in the absence of right person.<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 2)</ref>

=== Is Pumsavana performed in every pregnancy? ===

=== Is Pumsavana performed in every pregnancy? ===

The Smrtis also discuss the question whether this samskara should be performed in every pregnancy or not According to Saunaka this rite should be repeated in every conception, because by touching and feeding, the foetus becomes purified ; moreover by the force of the mantras recited one obtains the "memory of the past lives. So, it is prescribed in every conception. In the Mitaksara on the Yajnavalkya, we find an eliminating tendency where Vijnanesvara says,  

The Smrtis also discuss the question whether this samskara should be performed in every pregnancy or not According to Saunaka this rite should be repeated in every conception, because by touching and feeding, the foetus becomes purified ; moreover by the force of the mantras recited one obtains the "memory of the past lives. So, it is prescribed in every conception. In the Mitaksara on the Yajnavalkya, we find an eliminating tendency where Vijnanesvara says, <blockquote>एते च पुंसवनसीमन्तोन्नयने क्षेत्रसंस्कारकर्मत्वात्सकृदेव कार्ये न प्रतिगर्भम् ।<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83_(%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE) Yajnavalkya Smrti with Mitakshara Vyakhya]</ref></blockquote>These Pumsavana and Simantonnayana being, Ksetra Samskaras should be performed only once and not during every pregnancy.”<ref name=":12" />

 

एते च पुंसवनसीमन्तोन्नयने क्षेत्रसंस्कारकर्मत्वात्सकृदेव कार्ये न प्रतिगर्भम् ।<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83_(%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE) Yajnavalkya Smrti with Mitakshara Vyakhya]</ref>

 

These Pumsavana and Simantonnayana being, Ksetra Samskaras should be performed only once and not during every pregnancy.”<ref name=":12" />

== Social Perspectives ==

== Social Perspectives ==

* After having said that Acharyas also advice to follow any other measures known to experienced elderly women or other experts for pumsavana. Definitely the measures should be followed when those are coming from the authentic and trustworthy source and in today's world as advised by a [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|vaidya]] treating the woman. Otherwise any fake measure might endanger the life and health of a baby and mother both.  

* After having said that Acharyas also advice to follow any other measures known to experienced elderly women or other experts for pumsavana. Definitely the measures should be followed when those are coming from the authentic and trustworthy source and in today's world as advised by a [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|vaidya]] treating the woman. Otherwise any fake measure might endanger the life and health of a baby and mother both.  

===== Mantra to be chanted during Pumsavana Samskara =====

===== Mantra to be recited =====

During the process, the following mantras from the '''Atharva Veda''' are chanted:<blockquote>आ ते योनिं गर्भ एतु पुमान् वाण इवेषुधिम् । आवीरोऽत्र जायतां पुत्रस्ते दशमास्यः ॥२॥

During the process, the following mantras from the '''Atharva Veda''' are chanted:<blockquote>आ ते योनिं गर्भ एतु पुमान् वाण इवेषुधिम् । आवीरोऽत्र जायतां पुत्रस्ते दशमास्यः ॥२॥

In case of the Pumsavana Samskara procedure, various measures have been advised as described above, but the action of these drugs and the procedures has not been mentioned anywhere. Mode of action or rationale behind the procedures and drugs is not known to anybody clearly. Possibly it is beyond the reach of science and scientific brains of today's time. It can be considered that these drugs may act in changing the sex by their Achintya Shakti or the [[Prabhava (प्रभावः)|Prabhava]].

In case of the Pumsavana Samskara procedure, various measures have been advised as described above, but the action of these drugs and the procedures has not been mentioned anywhere. Mode of action or rationale behind the procedures and drugs is not known to anybody clearly. Possibly it is beyond the reach of science and scientific brains of today's time. It can be considered that these drugs may act in changing the sex by their Achintya Shakti or the [[Prabhava (प्रभावः)|Prabhava]].

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

== Scientific Explanation ==

Sayanacharya, the greatest commentator on the Vedas, remarks that the above mantra signifies that as an arrow is placed comfortably in a quiver, so would the child live peacefully in the womb. Additionally, it is also a prayer for the child to complete his full term of ten months in the womb, thus precluding the possibility of premature birth. This Samskara strengthens the bond between husband and wife, bound together by a common desire for male offspring. At this crucial and difficult juncture of her life, this sharing and support is psychologically highly comforting to the wife.

Sayanacharya, the greatest commentator on the Vedas, remarks that the above mantra signifies that as an arrow is placed comfortably in a quiver, so would the child live peacefully in the womb. Additionally, it is also a prayer for the child to complete his full term of ten months in the womb, thus precluding the possibility of premature birth. This Samskara strengthens the bond between husband and wife, bound together by a common desire for male offspring. At this crucial and difficult juncture of her life, this sharing and support is psychologically highly comforting to the wife.