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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.   

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 (उपनिषदः)|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. 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)

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

 

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.