Authoritative sources refer to Yagnavalkya smriti, Paraskara Grihya Sutra, Vishnu Dharma Sutra and Brihaspati as quoted in Smriti Chandrika to describe that the Pumsavana rite should be performed before the fetus begins to move or throb in the womb.
According to Apasthamba it should be performed when the pregnancy becomes apparent, during the third or fourth month of pregnancy.
According to Kataka Samhita it should be performed after greater number of months of pregnancy are over (fifth month).
Manava Grihya Sutra says it should be the sixth month. Commentator Brahmabala says it should be seventh or 8th month while Devabala says it should be in the eighth month.
Descriptions of the rite itself vary: Ashvalayana Grihya Sutra says that the husband should give his wife three portions of curd made out of milk from a cow that has a calf of the same colour as the cow itself. The husband should mix with each portion of curds two beans and a barley. He should offer these portions to his wife asking her “ What do you drink”? As she licks the portions offered in her hands, each time she answers ”Pumsavana”, the word meaning generation of a male child.

Apasthamba prescribes a different rite to be performed, as mentioned earlier, during the third or fourth month, when the pregnancy becomes apparent. He prescribes that a shoot of the Nyagrodha tree (Banyan tree) which points to the north or east and bearing two fruits (they resemble the testicles}. The shoot should be pounded by a girl who has not yet reached the age of puberty. The wife should lie down with her head to the east. The husband then administers few drops by squeezing the pounded plant into the right nostril of his wife.

There are different mantras to be chanted while administering the drops, according to different authorities. There are great differences even among the mantras prescribed by the different sages belonging to Krishna Yajur Veda.

There emerge two major questions:
When actually is the sex of a child determined?
Why did our ancestors yearn for a male child?

We know now that the Ovum of a female has XX chromosomes and that the Sperm has XY chromosomes. Bonding between the chromosomes from the sperm and from the ovum determines the sex. When the male sperm penetrates the female ovum, if the X chromosome of the sperm bonds with the X chromosome of the ovum, the sex of the child becomes that of a female. If the Y chromosome of the sperm bonds with X chromosome of the ovum, it will be a boy. In fact the sperm and not the ovum, which has only two X-chromosomes, which are female chromosomes, determine the sex of a child. It is the Y chromosome of the sperm that determines the male sex.
The sex factor is determined at the time of conception itself.

The Pumsavana ceremony or rite whether it is performed “before the fetus moves or throbs in the womb” or “during the eighth month of pregnancy”, they are performed with a prayer for a male child when the sex of the child in the womb has already been determined.

Now, about the preference for a male child. There is no evidence anywhere to show that the girl child was unwanted. What each family was anxious for was to have at least one male child. There was always the possibility of a couple having only one child or having several children. If they were to have only one child they were anxious that it should be a boy. A girl when she marries moves away into another household where she becomes part of it. Her gotra changes from that of her father into that of her husband. She participates in performances of yagnas for devas and pitrs of her husbands family. Great significance and importance was attached to performance of ordained duties and this should be a continuing process with each household. A son who stays with his father in the same household can only ensure this continuity. By virtue of this fact he assumes the mantle of the household when his father either passes away or enters vanaprastha or sanyasa in his old age.. It is perhaps this need that created an urge to have a male child. It must be pointed out that each parent desired at least one male child. He loved his children alike whether they were boys or girls.

Is Pumsavana relevant to present day society? As a social event as a ceremony it brings together people. It provides some satisfaction to the mother-to-be as she is doted upon and is adored. She receives blessings and good wishes. If we can have lavish birthday parties, why not? As for begetting a male child, the answer has already been provided.

One has to take another interesting look at Garbhadana again. The ambiance, the timing, the mantras and the intense desire itself could influence the Y chromosome to somehow beat its colleague X chromosome and reach one of the two X chromosomes of the ovum and unite, thus making it possible for a male offspring. Perhaps.

Note: Vadhyar.com offers this service according to your personal needs and requirements. To invite a priest(vadhyar) to perform the rituals to carry out your special ceremony, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

Home

Á xÉuÉïxiÉUiÉÑ SÒaÉÉïÍhÉ xÉuÉÉåïpÉSìÉÍhÉ mÉzrÉiÉÑ
xÉuÉïxxɯÒή qÉÉmlÉÉåiÉÑ xÉuÉïxxÉuÉï§É lÉlSiÉÑ