Ancient Wisdom of Embryology-A Scientific Elucidation in Purview of Epigenetics

Garbha

It is the Amalgamation of the male and female seeds in the uterus where the soul conglomerates with them intimately along with the eight prakriti (elementary principles) and Sixteen Vikaras. i.e.s formation of Prakriti. The embryo is described a body only when it is thus fully developed with hands, feet, tongue, nose, ears, buttocks and other organs.

Ancient Sagaciousness of Embryology in Garbha Upanishad

The body is fivefold in nature (the five elements), existing in the five, depending on the six supports (tastes of food), connected with the six qualities, [consisting of] seven dhātus (tissues), three impurities, having two yonis (sexes), and [nourished by] four kinds of food.

When ready, on the joining [of the male and female], [the embryo] after [a day] and night is in a mixed (semi-fluid) state; after seven days it becomes a bubble; after a fortnight, a solid mass, and in a month, it hardens. In two months, it develops the head; in three months, the feet grow. In the fourth month, belly and hip are formed; in the fifth month, the backbone is formed; in the sixth month, nose, eyes and ears are formed. In the seventh month, [the embryo] comes to have the jīva (conscious self), and in the eighth month, it becomes complete in every sense.

Garbha Sambhav Samagri [5]

Garbha Sambhav Samagri is some pivotal considerations that are touted to be responsible for the formation of Garbha. The includes Ritu, Kshetra, Ambu and Beeja along with Panchmahabhuta.

• Ritu describes the state of normal female menstrual cycle thereby inklings the suitable time for conception. It is important as it make up two purposes; release of ovum, and fertilization. Ritukala is considered as the perfect moment for conception.
• Ambu term deals with the nourishment procured by the Garbha from the ovum and sperm.There are some stages like fertilization, implantation, fetal organogenesis and placenta formation that are affected by the nutrition redeemed.
• Beeja term is applied for genetic material like chromosome, DNA and genes. It has competency to bring forth new generation. They play a very crucial role in conception and also further for the development of Garbha. Any abnormality of Beeja leads to infertility.
• Kshetra signifies Garbhashaya which implies to the reproductive system of mother specifically uterus. It is the place which is native to Garbha. Also, where the development of Garbha takes place. Proper condition of mother’s body is important for the apt development of Garbha and any of the abnormality can result into infertility.
• According to many Ayurvedic texts Panchamahabhuta play an important role in our life from birth till death. They help in the growth, development and differentiation of Garbha after its formation. They play a vital role in embryogenesis with the help of certain functions such as Vibhajana (division), Pachana (metabolism), Samhanana (solidification) and Kledana. Panchamahabhuta also plays crucial role in determining complexion of fetus. Tejas element is also considered as causative factor of complexion.
• Sadbhava are the sections of the Garbha originating from father, mother, Rasa, Atma and Satmya. Soft organs like heart, liver, spleen etc. originate from mother; hard segments like bone, nail, teeth etc. originate from father; physical development, strength, originates from Rasa; sensory and motor organs, knowledge, wisdom life- span, pleasure, etc. originates from Atma; energy, health, strength have Satyamaja origin.

Masanumasik Garbha Vridhi [6]

When fusion of Shukra and Shonita occurs in the uterus along with the entry of Atma (soul) Garbha (embryo) is formed. When Garbha undergoes cell division and progresses towards differentiation it is called as fetus. This process of change of embryo into the mature fetus occurs very slowly and takes almost nine months.

• First month: According to Ayurvedic scholars, during the first seven days Kalal is formed which is semisolid, slimy and sticky in nature. It is described as Avyakta Vigraha means consisting of all the body parts in Avyakta form. It possesses all Anga and Pratyanga that are going to form in the future. The fertilized ovum becomes Kalal and Budbuda.
• Second month: With the help of Sheeta, Ushma and Anila, the Panchabhautik embryo turns into a compact mass called as Ghana. Garbha takes a compact form in the shape of a Pinda, Peshi or Arbuda which helps in identification of the gender. The Pinda shaped Garbha leads to the production of a Pumaan child, the Peshi shaped Garbha produces Stree child and Arbuda shaped Garbha produces Napunsak child.
• Third month: In the third month Sarva Indriya, Sarva Angavayava manifests simultaneously. Five buds (Pindaka) develop representing the formation of four limbs and head respectively. The Anga-Pratyanga begins to form but all are in very minute form. Development of heart and all the sense organs also starts.
• Fourth month: Garbha attains stability and becomes dense. Due to the increase in mass, pregnant lady perceives the heaviness in body. Anga, Pratyang are more prominently developed. The Sukshma forms of all body parts attain certain form and shape. The Chetana Dhatu also gets manifested because the Hridaya becomes distinct as a result of which Garbha starts movements and responds to sensory stimuli.
• Fifth month: Mind turn out to be well active because of increased Mansa and Shonita during the fifth month the blood and muscle tissue of the Garbha increases.
• Sixth month: The evolution of intellect or Buddhi occurs. Development of tendons, veins, hair on the body and head, strength, colour, nails and skin get materialized. Also, there is increase in Bala and Varna of the Garbha during this time period.
• Seventh month: In the seventh month there is an overall manifestation of the Garbha. Differentiation of all the Anga- Pratyangas becomes obvious. Garbha attains well developed mental and physical status.
• Eighth month: Eighth month of pregnancy is contributed to fatal period of Garbha and Garbhini. Ojas travel between the mother and the child successionally through placenta and umbilical cord. Ojas is considered to be the purest form of all Dhatus, which decide concludes the vitality, immunity and strength of the body and without it life becomes unstable.
• Ninth month: The time period from the first day of the ninth month to the end of the tenth month is known as the period of Prasava Kala. In Ayurveda Samhitas normal gestational period is 9 to12 months. After this period if Garbha still remains in the uterus, it is termed as Garbhavikriti.

Shadgarbhakara Bhava [7]

Shadgarbhakar Bhava i.e., Matraja (maternal), Pitraja (paternal), Atmaja (soul), Rasaja (nutritional), Satmyaja (wholesomeness) and Satvaja (psych) [8], are the six procreative factors have been beautifully described by different acharyas. Matraja bhava is responsible for formation of soft organs in progeny like Mamsa, Shonita

(blood), Meda, Majja, Hriday, Nabhi, Yakrit, Pleeha, Guda etc. Pitraja bhava makes Sthir (hard) elements such as Kesh, Shamashru, Loma, Asthi, Nakha, Danta, Sira, Snayu, Dhamani, Retah etc. Satmyaja bhava determines Arogyam, Analasyam, Aloluptvam, Indriya Prasadnam, Swra varna beej sampata, Praharsh, Viryam, Balam, Medha, Ayu, Ojas, Prabha, Uthanam, Santosham in child. Atmaja bhava is responsible for Buddhi (wisdom), Ayu (longevity), Atmagnanam, Vigyanam, Prana Prerna, Apana, Swara, Sukh, Dukh, Ichcha, Dwesha, Chetna, Dhriti, Smriti, Ahankara, Praytna, Mana, Indriya (Sense organs), Akriti, Varna of progeny. Rasaja bhava plays role for Sharirashya abhinivritti, Sharirashaya, abhivriddhi, Prananubandhta, Tripti, Pushti, Utsaham, Balam, Varnam, Sthiti, Hani, Alolyum, Buddhi, Vritti. Satvaja bhava constitutes spiritual, temperamental etc. qualities of progeny like Bhakti, Sheelam, Shoch, Shauryam, Krodham, Tandra, Utsaham, Taikshanyam, Mardavam, Gambhiryam, Anavasthitam, Tyagam, Matsaryam, Smriti, Moham [9].

Role of Shadbhavas in Genesis [10]

Shadbhavas i.e, Matrija, Pitrija, Atmaja, Satmyaja, Rasaja, and Sattvaja Bhavas are responsible for the formation of Angapratyangas of Garbha i.e. organogenesis. These shadbhavas are not only responsible for the structural growth of foetus but they play also important role in the development of psychological, spiritual and emotional factors. Therefore, we can say that proper growth and development of Garbha is achieved from a combination of proper shadbhavas. Each of these shad Garbhakara Bhavas is assigned with a certain organogenesis, functional/ Psychological phenomenon, to develop in the forthcoming baby, during its intrauterine life. The cumulation of these procreative factors is a must for healthy progeny. A lag on the part of any of these procreative factors will lead to physical, functional or psychological defects. One factor alone is not capable of producing embryo. If mother and father are the sole responsible elements (factors) of producing an embryo, all those couple want of having children of particular sex according to their wish, no couple will remain childless or with a progeny of un-wanted sex. Mother and father are not sole responsible elements of producing embryo, if that was so No couple will remain childless. Placenta formation is not possible without mother. If only Atma is considered to create another Atma, it could have promoted to transfer its good qualities to the species of its choice but it is not observed. Embryo is not derived only from congenital, wholesome or appropriate diet. If it was so, then only those couples consuming suitable diet containing high quality of rasa would have had progeny. The satva, Svabhav does not come from outside world; all the incidents of previous life would not have remained unheard, unseen, unknown. We can say that the mother, the father and Atma etc. factors are not totally independent for all their functioning.

Matrija- Pitrija Bhava

Concept of heredity has been exhaustively presented in Ayurvedic literature. Kula or Gotra of parents, the age of parents, health of reproductive organs, conception time, bija of mother, diet and drug taken by the mother during pregnancy, diseases of mother during pregnancy can hamper the health and uniformity of the foetus. In Atulyagotriya Adhyaya it has been clearly stated that marriages in two similar Gotras should be avoided as they can cause con- genital deformities in the offspring. First, epigenetics removed the conviction that genetic blueprints are written in indelible ink. Suddenly, science had to take into consideration the notion that a given set of genes are not immutable set of blueprints or instructions. The exact same set of genes can result in different outcomes depending on which genes have undergone methylation or not. There was a whole new layer to consider a set of reactions that acted out-side and above the genetic code, changing its results without changing the code itself. Malnutrition in the mother affects foetal growth and can possibly results in foetal malformation. It is extremely vital for expecting mothers to maintain a sufficient level of vit. D in their blood during the gestation period in order to reduce the risk of delayed brain development and other mental ailments in new born babies.

Atmaja Bhava

Ayurveda is exercising four primary factors i.e Mother, father, soul and nutrition which is made up of four elements Earth, water, fire, air. The soul that enters at the time of copulation plays a crucial role in the physical and mental nature of the child. Despite of same family, birth time, nutrition; people differ in their life span, psycho metaphysical aspects. Such unexplained, aboriginal or idiopathic factors are due to the Atmaja bhava. The mental state during the time of conception and pregnancy impacts the nature of the soul that exemplifies into the womb. According to modern Epigenetic research stated that stress measured by cortisol levels impacts gene expression in the early stage of embryogenesis. The fundamentals given by Charaka helps the mother to envisage the desired child and eat, dress and live the way that will manifest the qualities wanted in the nature of the child. This lifestyle braces the visualization and is aimed at attracting soul desired by the parents. Sattvaja Bhava Only the human being has the prospective of living conscious, wide awake, and controlled life. Human being own instinct and intelligence. All these things happen due to presence of Manasa (psyche). Dauhrida Avastha of Garbhini is a very imprompt manifestation of the sattvaja bhava. Ayurvedic scholars clearly described that repression of desires of Dauhridini may influence the psychology of both the mother and foetus. Sattva with its syndication with soul at the time of copulation is considered as an important factor for the development of embryo. Thus, we can say that the Sattva of the foetus is influenced by three factors.

• Sattva of parents - Genetic derivatives.
• Garbhini Uparjita Karma- Gestation derivatives.
• Janmantara Vishesha Abhyasa- Environmental derivatives.

Everything the pregnant mother feels and thinks is communicated to her unborn child through neuro hormones which are the precursor for the neuro hormones. When pregnant mother feels anxious, stressed out, or in a fearful state, the stress hormones released in her bloodstream cross through the placenta to the body of the foetus which activates the unborn child’s endocrine system and influences foetal brain development.

Satmyaja Bhava

Distribution of the uterine fluid, the chemical diversity and their synergy create a certain environment able to support embryo development. Satmya (habituation) is defined as the use of certain things which are not harmful to the body despite being opposite to one’s own constitution, habitat, time, caste, season, disease, exercise, water, day sleeps, and taste.

• Kalasatmya: According to Acharyas, different types of Kala (time) can be implicated as age of parents and time of copulation. Predominance of doshas in body is alive according to age of parents e.g in old age, Predominant dosha is vata, in middle age predominant dosha is pitta and in childhood age predominant dosha is kapha. These doshas affecting whole body also feign shukra (sperm), shonita (ovum) and therefore the foetus foments in different ages of same parents have different constitutions as mentioned by Acharya Gangadhara. Time of copulation: Copulation is stipilated only in anindya kala for attainment of a child of healthy state. Thus improper time, season, age of conception are the factors that can influence the health of the foetus by creating a mutagenic or epigenetic influence.

• Deshsatmya: The early environment of a developing child can affect its genome by epigenetic means for instance; Tribal groups of India have their peculiar genetic makeup, which has evolved in the natural setting over thousands of years thus conferring special health problems and genetic abnormalities like sickle cell anaemia. Intrauterine environment is also of massive importance as far as foetal growth is concern.

Rasaja Bhavas

Nutrition is a crucial intrauterine environmental factor that is responsible for altered expression of the foetal genome and may have lifelong consequences. Alterations in foetal nutrition and endocrine status may result in developmental adaptations that permanently hamper the structure, physiology and metabolism of the offspring, thereby exposing individuals to metabolic, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases in adult life. A Garbha is considered Rasaja (born of the finest form of digested food called rasa) whose function is noticed after the development of a Garbha. The Rasaja Bhava (Emerging from rasa) or the characteristics evident in a Garbha are growth and development of the body and tissues, a constant supply of energy, nourishment, respiration etc.

Epigenetics in Ayurveda [11]

The word genetics derived from ancient Greek word “Genetikos” mean to genesis or origin [11]. Genetics is defined as the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms [3]. Science of genetics in Ayurveda may appear a brand-new topic but ancient Ayurvedic scholars such as Charaka and Sushruta understood very keenly the principles of heredity and nature of traits or characters. They knew the elementary of Genetics i.e the factors ascertaining the sex of a child, genetic defect in a childlike lameness. Acharya Charaka has mentioned the whole genetics in three genetic points in the form of Beej (Germinal cell), Beejbhag (Chromosome) and Beejbhagavyava (Gene). He has explained that due to vikriti of bija, bijabhaga and bijabhagavayava of the couple, there will be vikriti or vyapada in the child depending on gender [12]. Adibalapravritta [13] diseases, groups of illnesses which are accredited defects inherent in either the Shukra (the male reproductive element) or Shonita (female reproductive element) which form the primary factors for the human beings. There are six factors which are amenable for the formation of embryo and various body parts. The conglomeration of all six procreative factors has vital role in achieving healthy progeny [14]. Any lag in these factors may affect abnormally the psychological makeup‐up in progeny. Proper preconception and prenatal counselling, along with good antenatal care and a suitable mode of conduct of mother and father, have a major role achieving appropriate psychological health of progeny [15]. In fact, it has been showed that exposure to maternal psychosocial stress during intrauterine life is associated with significantly shorter leukocyte telomere length in young adulthood, a predictor of disease onset and mortality [8]. All the soft structures i.e heart, spleen, intestine, rectum, muscles, blood, lipid, bone marrow, umbilicus etc. of the foetus are derived from the mother, defined as Matrija bhava. Likewise, all stable or hard parts i.e hairs, vein, arteries, nails, bones, beard, sperm etc. of foetus are formed from the father, termed as Pitrija bhava. Just like the above-mentioned Atmaja, Satmayaja, Satvaja & Rasaja bhavas are also taking part in the development of a foetus in the uterus. Ayurveda Science had basic or fundamental knowledge on genetics since very early time period when there was no existence of concept like Chromosomes, genes, DNA, genome etc. Our classical Scholars have explained the facts that genetic disorders are not due to any defect in the mother or, the father but in the ovum or sperm of the parents (an accepted fact today), So they advised some ritualistic therapy and cleansing (Shodhana) of the male and female body before planning to have a child and to take rejuvenation therapy to restore health which prevents the appearance of genetic disorder. Whatever our Acharyas have told in our classics about genetics should be scientifically validated to give better explanations worldwide [16, 17].