Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, BAMS
Table of Contents
Male cell (sperm) meets female cell (ovum), they unite, they divide, different segments and fragments are formed leading to the formation of organs and organ systems and this combination gets a life!!
Looks like a heard story isn’t it?
Of course, we all know this story; we all have come into this world following the above said script!!
The whole human creation is a product of 2 cells, a sperm and an ovum and the chemistry between them.
The amalgamation of male and female cells or gamates (sperm and ovum) is called zygote, which later gets the form of an embryo (unborn offspring in the process of development) and later when the cell division progresses towards clear differentiation and manifestation of body parts and organs; it will be called as foetus (prenatal human between the embryonic state and birth. There is a slow and steady process of this development of foetus which takes around 9 months time to get matured and fully formed, so as to get ready to be born.
Read related: Essential Elements For Conception – Garbha Sambhava Samagri
The formation of zygote and embryo and subsequent development of the embryo into foetus in various stages of development and maturity over a period of 9 months is called Garbha in Ayurveda. The whole process is called Garbha utpatti or Garbhavakranti (development and maturity of foetus). This constitutes the basics of the earliest embryology known to the mankind i.e. ‘Ayuvedic Embryology’ or ‘Garbha Sharira’.
In this article I would like to cover the ‘formation of Garbha’ as explained in Ayurveda.
Garbha is formed by the combination of –
The union of all the above said factors in the Garbhashaya (healthy womb, uterus) is called Garbha.
Garbha is also defined by Charaka as ‘The union of shukra (semen or sperm), shonita (ovum) and jeeva (atma or soul) in the kukshi or uterus’
Another definition from Charaka defines Garbha as union of the below mentioned factors in the garbhashaya (uterus) –
Shukra
Semen or sperm is the most important component helpful in the formation of Garbha. It is the contribution of man towards formation of garbha. Shukra is the 7th dhatu (tissue) formed in the sequence of formation of tissues (according to Ayurvedic chronology of tissue formation). It carries vital components and memories of the previous 6 dhatus i.e. Rasa (digestive essence, lymph, and plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bones) and Majja (bone marrow). Thus it helps in the formation of the same tissues in the body which it creates after its union with artava. Of course, the Artava too contributes towards the formation of body and body parts.
Shuddha Shukra – is the clean, clear, healthy and sterile form of shukra. This uncontaminated form of shukra is needed to produce a healthy embryo. If the shukra is not sterile and healthy, the embryo or foetus formed will not be healthy, in fact it will be diseased and deformed, which manifests in the form of congenital disorders.
Below mentioned are the characteristic features of shuddha shukra (uncontaminated or pure semen) –
Shonita, Artavam:
Artava or ovum is the second component essential for the formation of Garbha. It is the contribution of woman towards the formation of Garbha. Just like Shukra, it is said that artava or raja too should be shuddha (clean and sterile, uncontaminated). Only shuddha artava is supposed to contribute towards conception of healthy foetus.
Below mentioned are the characteristic features of Shuddha Artava –
Further –
This explanation points towards –
Artava – as menstrual blood, which flows out once in a month
Artava – as ovum, which is responsible for conception or formation of garbha
Both the concepts are acceptable. Release of ovum is a part and parcel of menstrual cycle. If the monthly periods are good and fine (healthy monthly cycle in woman) in terms of quality and quantity, Ayurveda believes that the woman’s body is cleansed in a good way. This further is a proof of the artava (ovum) to be healthy, matured and ready to conceive. The periods also keep the kshetra (garbhashaya or uterus), where the implantation of the zygote takes place after conception, clean and sterile. Seeing the other way, healthy ovulation signifies good menstrual cycle and a balanced and synchronized hormone system. All these criteria need to be fulfilled if a healthy embryo is to be formed.
Atma – the soul or life element
Atma means soul, the life element. The garbha gains life and life-related activities only after the entry of Atma into it. Following are said to be characteristics of Atma –
-Nirvikara – devoid of deformity
-Para – minute, invisible, endowed with best qualities, different from shareera (body) and satva (mind)
-Nitya – indestructible, atma doesn’t get destroyed (eternal) in spite of the body getting destroyed (death)
-Drashta – spectator, atma being a spectator, keeps witnessing each and every activity pertaining to the body and mind.
This Atma consists of chaitanya or life element. Atma, on getting associated with sattva (mind), bhuta gunas and indriyas, manifests the chaitanya in the inert body. Henceforth, the life-related-activities begin in the garbha.
Atma is an abode of gnana or knowledge. All the knowledge of our life time is stored in the atma (even the knowledge from our previous incarnations).
Atma is of 2 types –
Paramatma – the greater atma, called ishwara or God
Jeevatma – the smaller atmas, many in number, all living beings have this atma, this is derived from Paramatma (branches of Paramatma), Jeevatma comes from Paramatma and goes back to Paramatma after death of an individual
Prakriti – Primordial substance (substance used in the creation of an organism, in fact all organisms of the body)
Prakritis are 8 in number. They are primordial substances which amalgamate to form the preliminary creation of an organism. They are –
Note – Shabda to Gandha Tanmatra are represented in us in the form of subjects of sense organs. They are collectively called as Pancha Tanmatras.
Vikara / Vikriti – derivatives of primordial substance (including Pancha Maha Bhutas or 5 basic elements of nature)
The derivatives of the above said primordial substance (prakriti) are called Vikara or Vikritis. They are 16 in number. They are as mentioned below –
Note:
The above said 24 Tatvas i.e. 8 Prakritis and 16 Vikritis are inert amalgamation of elements needed to create a life. When these are joined by or ignited by a life force called as Jeeva or Jeevatma or Purusha (soul, the life element), the Garbha with life is manifested, and starts’ living (life activities) in the womb until it is born.
Role of Panchamahabhuta in the formation of Garbha
We are all composed of Panchamahabhutas or 5 basic elements of the nature. When the combination of Panchamahabhuta is impregnated with life element or Atma, we adorn life and exhibit life activities. Panchamahabhutas have a pivotal role in the formation of body and are involved at various stages of development of garbha. (The concept can be considered as Ayurvedic versions of cell division and embryology). Below said are the roles of Panchamahabhutas in the formation and development of Garbha –
What else adorns Garbha?
The Garbha or shareera (body) inherits the qualities of Purva Janma (previous incarnation). Chetana Dhatu (Jeevatma or life element) while leaving out the previous body carries along with him the impressions in the form of five sense organs and manas.
The characters and inborn qualities of a man may be from different sources. These are –
Shareera, the physical body – Garbha gets the name of shareera (physical body) when when the amalgamation of shukra, shonita, atma, prakriti and vikriti in the garbhashaya (uterus or womb), after the action of panchamahabhutas and after acquiring (inheriting) the qualities of purva janma and matrujadi bhavas, start developing hasta (hands), pada (lower limbs), jihwa (tongue), ghrana (nose), karna (eyes), nitamba (butts, pelvis), etc organs. This means to tell that, garbha will be called as shareera once the organs start getting manifested in a visible and clear way.
Just Before Finish –
Ayurvedic embryology is an interesting branch. Ayurvedic Acharyas (teachers) of ancient time have explained the concepts of conception, formation of zygote and foetus, the inheritance of various qualities, formation of different organs and system and monthly development of foetus in a subtle, detailed and interesting way. Garbha Shareera is a proof of the unparalleled knowledge, the ancient Ayurvedic teachers had regarding the embryology!!
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)
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