Pumsavana Karma
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Ancient Science of Life, Vol. IX, No.3, January 1990, Pages134-139 PUMSAVANA KARMA K.P. VARDHAN Sri. Ramakrishna Ayurvedashram, Gadwal-509 125, India ______________________________________________________________________________ Received: 19 April 1987 Accepted: Revised Manuscript 20 January 1989 ABSTRACT: “Pumsavana is one of the Shodasha Karmas (Sixteen rituals) performed in various stages of life in ancient India. It deals with the technique of genetic engineering to ensure healthy progeny and to determine the sex of the child. The author also probes here the relevance of this technique at this age and describes how the modern biology supports it. Genetics plays an important role in the Seemantham, Post-natal are 4. Jathaka, 5. modern world. It is the science of life Namakarana, 7. Annaprasha, 8. Chuda or pertaining to genes or the basic unit of Keshakandana, 9. Karnavedha, 10. heredity. It is through this science that man Upanayana, 11. Akshrabhyasam, 12. is now able to bring about revolutionary Samavartham, 13. Vivaham, or Marriage, changes in the bio-logical features. It effects 14. Gruhasthashramam or household-life, not only plant life, animal kingdom but also 15. Vanaprasthashram or practice of human domain. It is a vast subject with a detachment, 16. Sanyasa or renunciation. multi-spectrum. But my article is restricted to the change of sex in the embryo of the In Mahabharatha we read about the lineage conceived woman. Pumsavana is one of the of Pandavas. The mysterious birth of sixteen rituals known as Shodhasha Karmas. Kunthi Puthras. How a virgin princess This samskara or treatment is administered would give birth to these illustrious sons to the pregnant lady in the third month after through the grace of Devas i.e., Yama, conception. Indra, Surya, Ashwani etc., In view of the adventurous journey of Another feat of genetic engineering, a case human life, ancient Rishis of India formed at of transplantation of foetus is observed in every stage throughout life, from birth to Bhagwatha Purana. Under the guidance of death. As rational beings we have to adopt superphysician – Bhishagvara Yogarat Lord those samskaras for the benefit of a Krishna, Yoga maya, the super lady prosperous and fruitful living. surgeon, pulled out the foetus from the womb of Devakidevi by applying hypnotic These ceremonies are divided into two anaesthesia and safely transplanted it in the categories 1) Pre-natal ceremonies 2) post- womb of Rohini. natal ceremonies. Pre-natal ceremonies are: 1. Garbadhana, 2. Pumsavana, 3. Pages134-139 One more astounding case of genetic in life – chaturvidha Purusharthas, Dharma, engineering is noticed in Mahabharatha. Artha, Kama and Moksha. Aswathama, the heroic son of Dronacharya used a nuclear weapon called Nisheka is the sexual contact of the male Brahmasironamaka to wipe off the lienage and female, Garbadhna implies the sowing of Pandavas by killing the child Parikshit in of seed in the fertile field. Man and women its mother’s womb. are boundless electricity, when they are brought together sexually, a series of electric The child was protected by super genetic- currents would be released which may react engineer, Lord Krishna who neutralized the on them favourably or adversely depending terrific effects of radiation through his anti upon the harmonious or discordent nature of nuclear disc Sudharshanachakra. Similarly the vibrations released. Sexual union, we come across the queer births of several pregnancy and reproduction of human mythological figures like Kamalasambhava, species are the essentials on which the world Kumbhasambhava, Anjaniputra, Drona, and exists, sexual union should never be based Masthyagarbha etc., in puranic literature. upon simple sense gratification. There is a There was a time when such births were sacredness about sexual functions and when considered as fantastic myths or fictious moral and spiritual considerations are not stories, full of super-natural romanticism but respected and the corresponding offspring now we have test-tube babies among us. will be of most heinous type. They are the marvels of scientific research and genetic advancement. With the aid of Charaka, the glorious physician of ancient modern science we can understand the secret times, prescribes a code of conduct to be natural laws hidden till now behind the adopted by the couple to get the child of mysterious births of such mythological their choice.1 Man and woman should heroes. undergo cleansing process through Snehakarama or oil massage Svedhan or In the present article, I have labored to give Steambath, Vamankarma or Vomitting or a faint picture of the enormous advancement Virechana or purging. They should further made by our fore-fathers in the field of have both types of vasthis or enemas 1. genetics, thousands of years ago in the Asthapana and anuvasana vasthis, remote past when the rest of the globe had evaculating and assimilating respectively. not seen the ray of light. Our subject is Man should take in milk prepared from concerned with the pumsavana Samskara MADHUR OUSHADHIS and ghee. Woman which holds the nuclear part of the epic. should take in plenty of puddings prepared with blackgram (Udud) and sesame oil Marriage is not merely a social contact but is considered to be a sacred bond according to The expert physician, further advises the Hindu law It is a pledge entering into woman to follow strictly the rules for three household life by male and female to carry days after menstruation. on “Gruhastha Dharma” for the purpose of keeping one’s lineage to achieve four goals 1. Sleeping on the floor. Pages134-139 2. Taking food in an unbroken new washed house. Her clothing bedding, plate. vehicles other utensils of domestic use 3. Avoiding all the articles of shringar should be white in colour. Both at sun-rise or items of dressing like kumkum and sun-set the woman shall have darshan of (Tilak) oil Kujal, lepan and flowers a big white bull or a horse or dolls of these etc. beasts made of white sandalwood (lvory) etc. She shall wear white washed house. After three days on the fourth day she Her clothing bedding, vehicles other utensils should be given a thorough oil headbath of domestic use should be white in colour. using sugandha ubaton paste. After bath Both at sun-rise and sun-set the woman woman should wear white sari. The man shall have darshan of the big white bull or a also must put on white clean robes the horse or dolls of these beasts made of white man and woman should adorn with sandalwood (Ivory) etc. she shall wear beautiful necklaces and flower garlands white lotus flower garlands and put on While exchanging sweet similing looks ornaments made of silver. She should be they are expected to have copulation when kept in joyful moods by means of interesting ignited by romantic sparks. stories or lovely chat. The woman shall always fix her mind in the personality of ideal Mahapurusha, whose characteristics HOW TO GET CHILD OF FAIR she intends to pass on to the coming child. COMPLEXION She is warned not to look at indecent, ugly, obnoxious, cruel and terrifying scenes or In charaka Samhitha sage Atreya applied the persons. She is advised to associate herself principles of colour therapy on the gees in with the gentle and handsome friends having the following formula. Man and woman sweet tongue. This should be continued for longing for a child with a good physique, a period of week days. There are elaborate fair complexion lion-heart full of grace and functions of Putrayasti or Putrakamesti noble qualities, should follow instructions described in vedic texts and Srimad given as under. On the fourth day of the Ramavana of Dasaratha times. But charaka menstruation of woman shall have a has simplified the ceremony. Where in the cleaning bath. She should be given in a man and the woman are made to perform silver plate Sattu (Flour of puffed wheat) Homa with herbs like palasha, Hingudi, mixed with ghee, honey along with milk of Audhumbara, Madhuki, combined with whit cow having a white calf. This tonic ghee, honey and white lotus flowers under recipe should be continued for a period of the supervision of vedic scholars as seven days. In the usual menu also the Rithwiks. The Rithwiks perform Homa woman should be fed rice and other praying Brahma with the Rik (hymn) foodstuffs along with milk of curd, ghee and ‘Vishnuryonim Kalpayathu” for fruitful honey. Care should be taken that the milk conception of the women as desired before procured should be from a white cow having to get a noble son of great virtues. After a white calf. She should dwell in a white Pages134-139 Homa the couple is made to partake the grasped the teachings of the saint and that Yognasesha that is remnants of the payasam was the reason why prahallada became a ghee etc., with the blessings of Ritwiks. staunch Vishnubhakta since his birth though Subsequently the couple is advised to have born to a Rakshasa Parents. copulation for eight days. In the second instance the Mahabaratha says This is the technique to get a child of one’s that when Abhimanyu’s father Arjuna was choice in hue and complexion. But only describing the secrets of warfare – change in he procedure as described above Padmavyuha to his consort subhadra is to change the colour as per one’s desire Abhimanyu listened to the conversation charaka the wise sage has still further form other’s womb. simplified the method for mass the poor and depressed householders need not perform The above two incidence seem to be more Yesti ceremonies. It is enough that they fictious and they need verification of the approach Mahatma or siddhapurshas and facts whether it is possible to impart pray falling on their feet to grant their instruction to the child in the womb.