ISSN: 2578-5079
Authors: Pooja S*, Jasmeen K, Kanu S, Himani S and Geetanjali
Ayurveda mainly vouchsafe with healthy and diseased conditions of human being starting from conception untill death. The paramount objective of Garbhasharir (embryology) described by Ayurvedic texts is Suprajanan (Healthy Progeny). Modern embryology explains the aspect about formation, development & structural teratogenesity of organs of our body in detail, whereas Ayurveda describes about structural, physical and mental status of the foetus. There are abundant references of Garbhasharir which are quoted in Brihattrayee (Three major compendia of Ayurved) and their commentaries that need to be elucidated in an appropriate way so as to make them pertinent for current era. The present critical appraisal is based on concepts of Grabhasharir mentioned in Ayurvedic lexicons in relation to embryological concepts, to interpret the processes related to genesis of progeny and analyse them with the help of current scientific knowledge. Brihattrayee and other relevant literature were critically reviewed to and out the hidden core of embryology described in chapters related to Garbhasharir. The concepts of Ayurvedic embryology are truly based on its fundamentals i.e 'Tridosha' (three bodily humours), 'Triguna' (three psychological humours) & 'Panchamahabhoota' etc. Ayurvedic compendia roughly shows two types of processes (dependent & independent) related to genesis of progeny. Dependent processes are those that can be modified & independent are those which cannot be modified by the endeavour of the parents. Even though the concepts of embryology described in Ayurveda dates back to centuries, they are still relevant in the current scientific world provided proper insight is applied to interpret them.
Keywords: Ayurveda; Garbhasharir; Shadhgarbha Bhava; Garbha Upanishad; Prakriti
