Mode of Sattva: Scientific Explanation of Pumsavana/Garbharakshan Sanskar

Category: Science in Ancient texts (Hindu Sanskar)

Hi Beautiful & Peaceful Soul

In the series of blogs about sixteen sanskars, after discussing Nishkraman (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/nishkraman-sanskar-outing-ceremony-of.html), Annaprashan(https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/scientific-explanation-of-annaprashan.html), Mundan(https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/scientific-explanation-of.html), Karnavedhana (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/scientific-explanation-of-karnavedhana.html), Jaatakarma & SwarnaPrashan Sanskar (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/scientific-explanation-of-jaatakarma.html), Namakaran (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/scientific-explanation-of-namakaran.html) and Simantonayan (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/scientific-explanation-of-simantonayan.html) Sanskar in my previous blogs, today I am going to discuss about Pumsavana Sanskar.

What is Pumsavana Sanskar?

Punsavana sanskar is the first sanskar just after Garbhadharan sanskar. The chances of abortion are more likely in third, fourth and eight months, therefore it is very necessary to protect the womb in these months with the help of Pumsavana (for physical, mental and spiritual health of child) and Simantonayan (especially for mental and spiritual health of child) sanskar.

Significance of Pumsavana Sanskar

It is conducted:

1. to avoid abortion.

2. to remove the deficiencies in unborn child related to semen and womb.

3. for the birth of desired sex, mostly for male child. This point is still debatable.

4. to provide good physical, mental and spiritual health to child.

5. to provide good immunity to child and mother.

6. It strengthens the bond between husband and wife, bound together by a common desire for offspring.

At What Time This Sanskar is Conducted?

According to Acharya Charak, this sanskar should be performed before conspicuous (Vyaktibhava) of organs or with in two months. Acharya Sushruta advocated it to be done just after conception.

Herbs used in this sanskar according to Ayurveda

In this sanskar, the pregnant lady needs to inhale the juice of banyan stem through either right or left nostril and pray for a worthy child (6). According to Acharya Sushruta, the juice of Banyan tree has all the properties of relieving trouble during pregnancy. Giloy is also used in this sanskar to increase the immunity of mother as well as fetus (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Scientific Explanation of Pumsavana Sanskar

The development of child does not start only after birth, it gets started during gestation and 80% of it is completed at the time of birth. During pregnancy, baby's physical, mental and spiritual development can be molded the way we want. There is a well researched science behind it. I have explained this in my blog on Simantonayan Sanskar (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/09/scientific-explanation-of-simantonayan.html). If mother is happy, she secretes positive hormones (endorphins) while if she is sad, secretes negative hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin. These hormones affect baby's subconscious brain. During Pumsavana sanskar, various oaths are taken by parents especially by father to put his hand on the heart and stomach of his pregnant wife, so that fetus can learn different kinds of emotions like love, affection, happiness, responsibility and respects for others.

The experiments on Pumsavasan Sanskar has revealed startling results: the mothers, who are prone to abortion or whose earlier children are subjected to metabolic deficiencies or genetic disorder since birth, have delivered healthy babies after this sanskar. It has now been accepted by the researchers that the herbal preparation processed under the vitally charged vapors of Yagya affects the cellular and molecular (genetic) systems. The vibrations of mantras during the process of this ceremony purifies child's subtle body. Inhalation of the vapors of herbs, conditions their brain as well as their body (7).

It is assumed that the sex of child can be changed with this sanskar. However, modern science disagrees with this aspect of Pumsavana ceremony and sternly believes that the sex of the child is decided at the time of conception. At the time of conception, if a sperm carrying X chromosome meets the ovum it produces a girl while a sperm carrying Y chromosome yields a boy. Therefore, the deciding factor is the male sperm, which fertilizes the female ovum and sex is determined immediately on conception.

How true is Pumsavana Sanskar according to Modern Science?

1. I am able to find a scientific study (9) which showed that drugs used in this sanskar act directly or indirectly on the pituitary gland and stimulates the secretion of hormone responsible for development of particular gonadal and sex organs in male or female child. For desirable results, one should follow the methodology of this sanskar as explained by acharya.

An early embryo has the potential to follow either the male or female pattern of development because it contains both sets of ducts and primitive gonads that can differentiate into either testis or ovaries. If an embryo is genetically male (XY), the indifferent gonad differentiates into testes under the influence of a gene named SRY (present on Y chromosome and encodes testis-determining factor). It causes the primitive sertoli cells to differentiate into gonadal tissue during the 7th week. The development of sertoli cells secret a hormone named MIS (Mullarian initiating substance) also referred as AMH (anti mullarian hormone). MIS causes degeneration of mullarian duct which does not constitute any structure or role in the male reproductive system. Ledging cells in the gonadal tissue begin to secret testosterone during 8th week. It stimulates the development of wolffian ducts in to male genital organ. In female embryos (XX), because of absence of SRY gene, the gonads develop into ovaries as the mullarian ducts flourish to female reproductive system in the absence of MIS. It has been found that interfering AMH can influence the sex of the offspring and this is done by activating the pituitary gland through inhalation of specific drug in Pumsavana karma.

However, how a male child is produced from XX embryo without SRY gene of Y chromosome?

2. Another scientific report (15) showed that regulatory elements (Enhancers) in junk DNA control the activity of testis genes. In XY embryo, SRY gene on Y chromosome activates another gene SOX9. This gene is regulated by enhancers and if these enhancers are disturbed, it leads to low expression of SOX9 gene. As a result testis will not develop in child leading to a disorder of sex development. This study discovered three enhancers, that together ensure the SOX9 gene is turned on to a high level in an XY embryo, leading to normal testis and male development. Considering this fact, there are chances that the herbs used in Pumsavana sanskar somehow stimulate the high level expression of SOX9 gene. However, the question still remains that since it is possible only in the XY embryo then how can it work in the XX embryo where there is no presence of Y chromosome?

3. The female to male reversal almost always happens when a certain gene called SRY gene, usually carried on the Y chromosome, accidently end up on the X chromosome inherited from father. These males are not fertile. There is another study (16) which showed that mutation in another gene named RSPO1 leads to male development from female embryo. In females, SOX9 gene responsible for the testis development is switched off by RSPO1 gene which via other genes in cascade, leads to development of ovaries. Perhaps mutated RSPO1 gene cannot switch off SOX9 gene in XX embryo leading to male development. This indicates that a gene, when mutated, turns girls into boys. But, definitely, these would not be normal men. So, if herbs used in this sanskar mutate RSPO1gene, XX embryo can convert to male progeny but not as normal men. So, concepts of this sanskar fail here.

Therefore, till date there is no proper scientific explanation available to back this claim that Pumsavana Sanskar helps in changing the sex of embryo. According to my research, this sanskar is definitely for the birth of a healthy child but not to get male child.

I hope my research on Pumsavana Sanskar will benefit you.

Take care all of you,

Your's Sincerely

Purnima Ghai

References:

1.https://www.ijam.co.in/index.php/ijam/article/view/142/143

2.http://www.allresearchjournal.com/archives/2017/vol3issue3/PartG/3-2-98-953.pdf

3.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273120728_THE_CHILDHOOD_SAMSKARAS_RITES_OF_PASSAGE_AND_ITS_SCIENTIFIC_APPRECIATION

4.http://ujconline.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/3-UJAHM-15169-Rv.pdf

5.http://iamj.in/posts/images/upload/941_946.pdf

6.https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/05/22/banyan-tree-ficus-benghalensis/

7.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sudhanshu_Verma8/publication/307422964_The_psychospiritual_effects_of_punsavan_sanskara_on_pregnant_mother_foetus/links/57c564cf08ae496e42126793/The-psycho-spiritual-effects-of-punsavan-sanskara-on-pregnant-mother-foetus.pdf