BA PART III : PAPER 5.5

Muhurta


Pre-Natal Ceremonies

Before the actual birth of a child, three important ceremonies are
enjoined to be performed. They are nuptials (Nisheka), consummation
(Garbhadana) and Pumsavana (change of sex).
Nisheka is used to denote the first sexual contact, while Garbhadana has
reference to the subsequent defloratiohs. Almost ail the ancient works on
Muhurtha start from Namakarana - the name-giving ceremony after the birth
of a child-but we start from consummation as it is actually the beginning
of the pre-natal existence of the child. Sexual union, pregnancy and
reproduction of human species are the essentials on which the world
exists. Sexual union should never be based upon simple sense
gratification. There is a sacredness about sexual functions, and when
moral and spiritual considerations are not respected and brought into
play; the result will be most unsatisfactory and alt sorts of undesirable
progeny would be the products of promiscuous cohabitation. According to
Prof. B. Suryanarajn Rao men and women are bundles of electricity. When
they are brought together sexually a series of electrical currents would
be released which may react on them favourably or adversely depending upon
the harmonious or discordant nature of the vibrations released. Therefore
the first sexual act should not be treated lightly and should be done only
when planetary combinations are favourably disposed. Books on ancient
Sexology and Astrology reveal that to indulge in coitus during the first
four days of menses will lead to serious evil effects as the whole
physiological and nervous system of the woman would be in a state of
tension owing to the almost continuous discharge of blood. So the first
four days of menses should be avoided. Copulation on the 5th day tends to
give rise to a daughter. In general, sexual union on odd days indicates
birth of female children while on even days. the birth of male children is
indicated. In the first instance, sexual union is highly recommended on
the 6th day of the menses as it is supposed to ensure not only happiness
to the couple but also the birth of a dutiful and intelligent son.
The constellations Sravana, Rohini, Anuradha, Swati, Revati, Moola,
Uttara, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra. Satabhisha are highly favourable for
nuptials. Pushyami, Dhanishta. Mrigasira, Aswini, Chitta. Punarvasu are
ordinary. The rest of constellations are to be rejected.
Monday, Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are auspicious days while Saturday,
Tuesday and Sunday should not be considered at all.
All lunar days-except the 4th, 8th, 9th, 14th, Full Moon and New Moon are
good. The favourable signs are Taurus to Libra and Pisces. The birth star
(Janma Nakshatra), the 10th star (Anu Janma) and the 19th star (Thri
Janma) should be avoided.
At the time of nuptials, the 8th house should be occupied by no planet.
Subject to this proviso, even Sagittarius and Aquarius may be selected as
auspicious.
Pumsavana. - This means change of sex. The Hindus had long ago known the
processes whereby the sex of the foetus could be changed by performing
certain remedies and by administering certain medicines when sex
differentiation is about to set in. The possibility of change of sex long
known to the Hindus was being ridiculed by Western scientists. But during
the last 3 or 4 decades, the opinion of the scientists underwent a gradual
change and most of them now admit such a possibility. For the information
of the reader, t may just make a few observations of modern medical men on
this all-important question.
Professor Thury first started a theory about the possibility of changing
the sex of the foetus in the womb. This was taken up by Professor
Unterberger. Bernard Macfadden has reached certain conclusions regarding
the predetermination of the sex with a success claimed in 90 per cent of
cases experimented. According to the theory of Thury "the biogenetic
condition, prevailing in the female organism in the beginning of the
interval between two menstrual periods is favourable to girls. Towards the
end of this interval, shortly before the new period, it is favourable to
boys. In between, the chances are even". It is possible that the chemistry
of the mother undergoes natural changes at certain times which correspond
to the condition of alkalinity on acidity created artificially by
Unterberger with the aid of bicarbonate or lactic acid.
There are, according to Davenport, probably four hundred theories of sex
determination promulgated during the last two or three hundred years. One
theory generally accepted by biologists maintains that sex is determined
by the so-called X chromosomes, in the female there are two of these
chromosomes. In the male there is only one. Professor BIchm suggested that
the male chromosomes move more quickly in alkaline solution than the
chromosomes which carry the feminine principle. A teaspoonful of
bicarbonate of soda or one spoonful of lactic acid may thus determine the
sex of the child. Generally 105 boys are born for every 100 girls. The
mortality among the boys is somewhat greater. It has been found that after
great and destructive wars, where men are killed on a large scale, the
number of male births increases. Nature thus restores the balance of
sexes. We have known parents, some of them longing for girls while others
want boys for keeping up their family traditions and for continuance of
their lines. This will be so specially in cases of inheritance and
succession to thrones and large landed and financial estates. Many wars
and bloodshed were the results of kings and queens having no sons to
succeed them. In almost all the countries the dynasties were kept up
through sons. Matriarchy forms an exception.
It was found out by experiment that a high acid secretion was frequently
responsible for sterility in the female. When douche were applied in the
form of sodium bicarbonate, where there were no. pathological changes in
either husband or wife the results were most gratifying. The pregnancy
developed after the next period and in every case the child was a boy.
Professor Unterberger observes "that the most important thing appears to
be the fact that the characteristics of the female organs exercise a great
influence on the determination of the sex which strange to say has been
ignored heretofore". Professor Nicolai Konstantinovitch of Moscow
discovered an electric treatment which separates and segregates the male
and female spermatozoa. It is said that children of either sex may be
obtained by using chromosomes of the opposite sex in artificial
impregnation. Natural spermatozoa are deposited in the curved end of the
tube filled with a physiological solution. A slight electrical current
draws the male and female cells opposite ends of the tubes. The male
spermatozoa are drawn to the anodes or the side wh-,re the current enters
the tube, and the female sperms to the cathodes, where the current leaves.
Macfadden says "conception time with reference to the menstrual cycle
normally runs its course in twenty-eight days and so corresponds in length
to the lunar month".
Here is a feminine physiological habit which in some ways at present
clearly understood closely corresponds to the movements of the Moon. The
theory is, that if fertilised when first discharged from the ovary the
ovum is female in tendency while later as the ovum ages it becomes male,
so that fertilisation between the 3rd and the 5th days after menstruation
is liable to produce a girl, between the 5th and 8th days, a boy or a
girl, and between the 8th and 12th days a boy. We have evidence that
certain physiological habits curiously correspond to the lunar dai!y
cycles even as the habit of the menstruation, a sex function corresponds
to the lunar monthly cycle.
It has been suggested by the mighty Darwin that since life apparently
originated on the beaches of primordial sea where it was alternately
covered and uncovered by the lides, through countless ages, certain life
rhythms and physiological habits were formed in all living creatures to
correspond with those tidal rhythms, which irr-their turn were regulated
by the Sun and the Moon. The primitive cell, which was the cradle of the
life-force, at that time went through alternating period of activity and
quiescence. The scientific name for these two physiological phases is
Katabolism and Anabolism. Physiologically Anabolism and Katabolism
correspond to maleness and femaleness. These facts lead to some
interesting conclusions about sex as possibly determined not merely by the
time of the lunar month, but by the time of the lunar day at which
conception takes place. Here all the greatest scientists on matters of
conception and sex formation are agreed on the physiological effects of
cycles of lunar days and lunar months.
We shall now quote from our astrological literature, what they have
unanimously said about the appearances of menses, how the foetus develops
in the womb, in what month the sex is formed, how the sex of the unborn
child in the womb can be known and by what methods the sex of the child
may be changed as per desire of the parents.
Occassionally one reads in papers about the reversal or change of sex to a
certain degree even in adults. This phenomenon has been actually witnessed
by Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao and of late it is becoming common. In the
history of science the ancient Hindus occupy a foremost place because
thousands of years ago. they had anticipated and in fact achieved what to
the moderns appear as marvels of biology. Of course, it is a fashion with
those who have received the European system of education of laugh at
things they cannot-explain with the aid of their own pet theories.
Charaka, the great Hindu physician, has dwelt at length with the question
of change of sex. The ancients had not only studied the theory but they
have given us practical rules whereby the sex of the unborn child in the
womb may be known in advance and changed, if so desired. Ceremonies are
actually laid down in theVedas for performance by the father and the
mother with a view to give the child in the womb the sex that is desired.
These rites are called pwnsavana. The etymology of the word is: pung
(male) syate (is produced) anena (by this); in other words the
male-producing rite. These rites are performed even unto this day by every
orthodox Hindu. Pumsavana is performed just after the expiration of three
months from date of conception.
Before giving further details about Pumsavana Jet us bring to the
attention of the readers an interesting phenomenon which recently happened
in Europe. Andreas Sparre, a Danish painter, married at the age of 20, a
student artist studying in a like academy as his in Paris. They had a
"happy life for some time. A few years later Andreas Sparre happened to
dress up in fun as a woman. The clothes suited him and he looked like a
girl. One of his friends called him Lili and he liked this name. Soon
afterwards Andreas began to feel that Lili was after all a real individual
- a separate personality, existing within himself. Gradually, this second
personality pushed to the background, his maleness. Andreas experienced
bleeding from the mouth and nose and this was regarded as a form of
menstruation. Of course there was a psychological change too that he was
becoming moreand more feminine. With the passing of time a conviction grew
in his mind that though male in his outward form, internally he possessed
the female sexual organs. Physicians and surgeons whom he consulted could
not offer any explanation for his dual personality. At last he consulted a
German specialist who declared after a careful examination that Andreas
possessed female sexual organs within himself. After this he was operated
upon by Prof Gebherd and after the operation the attending nurses remarked
to Andreas that his voice had completely changed and that it was a shrill
woman's voice. Then cigarettes and cigars nauseated him and even his
handwriting turned feminine. In this first operation the malesex glands
were completely removed and Andreas Sparre was no longer a man. After the
second operation Crete, the wife of Andreas, wrote as follows in her
diary: -
"Not until a few hours later did I tearn what had happened inside-a human
being who was born a man, who was my husband, my friend, my comrade had
now become a woman, a complete woman."
"But the thought which haunts me is that though Andreas may now be
extinguished, and though Liti may have risen like a phoenix from the
ashes, yet m the world outside Andreas is still living in the eyes of the
law, and I am his wife. Who is capable of grasping this horror, this
fantastic idea, this unique happening."
What are we to think of this strange and tragic case of Andhreas Sparre -
a case unique m medical history. The case of Obalamma becoming Obalachari
(vide Female Horoscopy by Prof. B. Suryanarain Rao) is also equally
interesting.
Though medically it is impossible to distinguish sex in the embryo,
astrologically it is possible to know beforehand - based on the conception
Lagna-whether the child would be male or female. Doctors also opine that
even in the most normal and unambiguous individual the rudiments of the
organs of the other sex are present throughout life. Pumsavana means not
only rites but also administering of certain medicines. Who knows, the
proper performance of Pumsavana may enable us to change sexes of even
adults, because the medicines accompanied by mantras may act on the
glandular secretions and change the very nature of such secretion. The
cases of Andreas and Obalamma suggest that change of sex is possible and
that ancient Hindus when they talked of this phenomenon were not merely
guessing but were treading on solid and scientific ground*.
A persual of the various texts in Sanskrit bearing on astrology and
medicine reveals that Pumsavana is closely connected with the planetary
influences on embroynic development. All the phases of the union of the
virile spermatozoan with the mature ovum called impregnation, the fixation
of the impregnated ovum, called conception, and the development of the
foetus are governed by the Moon and other planets.
No birth takes place by. chance. In most cases, impregnation follows very
shortly after coitus and it is the time of coitus that is generally taken
according to Hindu Astrology for the Nisheka or conception horoscope. The
period of gestation is the time which elapses between the conception and
partruition. during which the child first as embryo, then as foetus is
developing in the womb. Beginning with the third week, the head bend in
the embryo is quite marked which gradually increases as development goes
on, and at the end of the third week the heart and all the organs have
been laid down and limbs begin to make their appearance as small buds, not
unlike those of the frog, and the embryo closely resembles any other
mammalian embryo at a corresponding stage. The chief changes in the first
month (governed of course by Venus) are the formation of the face and
external ear, and the development of the limbs' The eyes, nasal pits,
maxillary processes, ears and nose are now visible.
In the second month of pregnancy-ruled by Mars - the plasm is enveloped by
the amnion. Mars brings the development of the membranes and strong
expansion of them. The brain begins to develop, the head becomes
considerably larger and the human characters are ell established. The
embryo may now be spoken of as the foetus, which has passed its quadruped
stage.
Now we come to the third month influenced largely by Jupiter - the month
in which Pumsavana has to be performed if one desires to have a son born
to him. ft Is In the third month the differentiation of sex is brought
about, as also the development of the genitals. Jupiter a masculine
planet, presides over this month. Thus it will be seen that in the
selection of the time for performing Pumsavana the ancients had in view
very scientific reasons. As difference of sex occurs in the third month,
the medicines and mantras administered under the influence of certain
constellations would certainly be capable enough to change the sex to the
desire of. the individual concerned. Without caring to bestow serious
thought on such questions, the moderner is apt to dismiss the whole thing
as the product of superstition.
We shall now give a few hints from the famous Charaka Samhita and it is
for readers to make use of such hints to their own advantage.
Charaka says: "Instructions will be laid down about those Vedic rites by
which the sex of the child (in the womb) before its manifestation may be
changed. Verily of rites duly performed and characterised by propriety of
time and place, the capacity to produce desirable fruits is ordained.
Observing that a woman has concieved, Pumsavana should be administered to
her before the manifestation of the sex of the child in the womb.
"Obtaming two unbroken buds from two twigs procured from the eastern and
northern aides of a banian (Picus indica, Linn.) growing in a cowpen, as
also a single grain of paddy and a single seed of Masha Phaseolus radiatus
Roxb.) both well developed, or two seeds of white mustard, and throwing
them into a quantity of curds, the woman (that has conceived) should be
made to drink it under the constellation of Pushya." Another Pumsavanam
medicine is the following: -
The kalka or paste of (a) jeevaka(*1) (b) rfshabhaka(*2) (c) Apamarga(*3)
or (d) Sahachara(*4) or of each if desirable - should be boiled with milk
and given to the woman to drink.
1. Jeeaka Is no longer identifiable or procurable. Hindu doctors find
substitute In Guduchi or Tinospora cordifolia. Miqs.
2. This is also not Identifiable. The substitute to Vanggatochana or
bamboo manoa.
3. Achyaranihes, Linn.
4. Barlenia cristala, Linn.
"Or, the likeness of a man. or very small proportions, made of gold, or
silver or iron, made red-hot in fife and then dipped into a measure of
curds, or milk, or water, should be swallowed without leaving any remnant,
under the influence of the constellation Pushyami. Under the same
nakshatra of Pushymi, the woman may be made to inhale the hot vapour of a
cake {pishta or pishtaka} that is being baked (on the fire) and then
dissolving that cake in a measure of water, the mixture should be cast
over the threshold of the door. This water the woman should then, using a
stick of cotton, apply to her Tight nostril."
If the above remedies are administered under the favourable and auspicious
influences of constellation, the sex in the womb of the woman is supposed
to change. The subject is vast and we shall again recur to this on a
subsequent occasion. Who has studied and who has tested all these methods?
Why label them as useless and unscientific when you do not know that they
are.
The ceremony of Pumsavanam should be celebrated in the 3rd month when
signs of pregnancy are evident. All lunar days except the 4th, 6th, 8th.
9th, 12th. 14th. Full Moon and New Moon days are good.
All signs except Gemini, Cancer and Virgo are auspicious. Virgo should be
avoided as it is specially adverse.
Monday. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are beneficial. The 8th house from
the ascendant should be vacant. The Moon's presence in Lagna or the 12th
and the ascendant being aspected by Venus brings on prosperity.
Beneficsshould be disposed in quadrants or trines.
There is another ceremony named Seemantha immediately foltowtng
Pumsavansm. being performed In the 5th or 7th month of pregnancy. This is
ortfatned only in regard to first conceptions. If the time-schedule cannot
be kept up. it should not be abandoned, but the function must be performed
at least before delivery. This is the view of sage Sankha.
For Seemantha, Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushyami, Uttara,
Uttarashadha, Hasta, Sravana and Revati are auspicious. Some are of the
opinion that under unavoidable circumstances, even Aswini, Anuradna and
Moola maybe deemed auspicious. The 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 14th (unar days and
New Moon day must be avoided. When the Moon is dignified Full Moon day is
hot condemned. Sunday. Tuesday and Saturday should be avoided. The rest of
the weekdays are good. All signs except Leo and Scorpio are auspicious.
The 8th house from the ascendant must be free. Generally speaking, the
3rd, 8th, 7th, 10th and 22nd constellations should be avoided. The Moon
should not be in the 8th house. So far as this particular ceremony is
concerned, the month ranks first in importance. Hence, even If Jupiter and
Venus are combust, such a circumstance may be ignored.