Page 49 of: Glories of India (Culture and Civilization)

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INDIAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION
merital right was not enforced. Nor was there any
medieval religious bias involved. Care for mutual con-
sent and equal degree of satisfaction implies the modern
state of civilization. But the ancient custom transcends
modern development because in addition to sexual
pleasure the idea of the progeny was not lost sight of
and the child to be born was not an unwanted and un-
avoidable one. At the same time the birth control was
ingineously achieved by the observance of prohibition
for several days in the month.
The Pumsavana literally implies the desire for a
male child. This is in continuation of the preceding
conception ceremony. This sacrament is performed
optionally between the third and fourth month of the.
pregnancy when the sex of the foetus takes a definite
shape. This is specifically performed to recure a male
child and need not be undertaken if one is equally happy
to get a son or a daughter. The leading text (Brihad-
aranyaka-upanishad) gives a detailed account of the
sacrament for getting a son of which the advantages
are described in another sacred text (Aitareya Brāh-
mana, VII. 13). In these and other texts "different pro-
cesses were prescribed for having a son or daughter
with particular qualities”. Aśvaliyana (in his Grihya-
sutra) describes the three fold rites, some of which are
religious, some magical and some purely medical.
They include the initial sacrifice (homa) which aims
at getting god's blessings. Similar intention is implied
by going round the sacrificial fire (agni-pradakshina).
The wearing of garlands (mālādhārapa) and the putting
of tortoise gall on the lap of the would-be mother
(kurmapitha) night have some magical effect. Drink-
ing of curds (dadhi-prasana), injection through the nose
(nasta-vidhi), touching of the belly (sparsana) and the
fruit bath (phala-snana) are obviously the medical
devices. Further a faith-cure is adopted by the cere-
monies which include the practice of placing barley
grains on the hands of the wife and the declaration by
the husband that this is the male organ, that is the
testicles etc. of the child to be born and to be constantly
thought of by the wife.'
1 The modern medical science has so for failed to prescribe
remedy to regulate the sex of the child to be born and we are sceptic
about the ancient prescriptions and have no patience to make an
experiment and further develop the ancient scientific methods in the
light of the modern medical discoveries.