PUNSAVAN

AN
ASTROGENetics

DR.GAURAV DESAI
 PUNSAVAN???

• Unique to Ayurveda.

• Controversial concept.

• Post conception selection of sex of child.

• Involves elaborate procedures.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 2

 REFERENCES
• Charaka Shareera 8.
– Jatisutriya Shareera.

• Sushruta Shareera 2.
– Shukrashonita Shuddhi nama Shareera.

• Ashtang Hridaya Shareera 1.

– Garbhavakranti Shareera.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 3

 METHOD DESCRIBED IN CLASSICS

• Shodhana of both partners advised before

conception.
• Putreshti Yagnya (Other religious practices)

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 4

 CONT…

• Diet and Regime of similar to the qualities

desired in the child.
– Both partners

• Intercourse.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 5

 PUNSAVAN VIDHI--WHEN??
• On observing Garbhadharana Lakshana.(A.H)

– Deposition of semen deep into vagina.

– Heaviness of Kukshi.
– Tingling sensation.
– Giddiness.
– Tiredness.
– Thirst.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 6

 ASHTANG HRIDAYA

• Relatively small window of opportunity.

• Up to 1 month after conception. (A.H)

• Before the sex of the fetus is expressed.

• In this period the, the Punsavan karma even
overpowers destiny.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 7

 ASHTANG SANGRAHA (INDU)

• Only on first day.

• On even days.
• Daily.
• Every even day of 12 days period .

• Further he says that success depends upon

the favour of luck.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 8

 SUSHRUTA (DALHANA)
• 3 steps:

• Before coitus is for achievement of

conception.
• Immediately following conception for proper
implantation.
• Before three months for change of sex.
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 9
 DAYS FOR COITUS
• All Acharyas opine :

• Even days: Male

• Odd days: Female

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 10

 METHOD

• Purusha pratima
– Made from Gold/ Silver
– Heated till red hot

– Quenched in milk. (Charaka: Curd/ Water)

– 1 Anjali of this milk is administered.
– In Pushya Nakshatra.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 11

 CONT…
 ASHTANG HRIDAYA
• Paste made from:
– Shweta Apamarga.
– Jivaka.
– Hrishabhaka.
– Saireyaka.
• With water.
• Either separately or in combination.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 12

 CONT…

• Nasya.

• Self administeration.

• Root of Shweta Brihati pasted with milk.

• Right nostril: Male.
• Left nostril : Female.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 13

 CONT…

• Nasya or oral administration.

• Paste of Lakshmana root with milk.
• 8 Vata Shrunga pasted with milk.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 14

 CONT…
 CHARAKA SAMHITA.

• Elaborate description regarding the collection

of drugs.
• Use of a type of fish and insect.
• Inhale the steam of salipisti being cooked.
• Advised all procedures to be carried out in
Pushya Nakshatra.
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 15
 CONT…
 SUSHRUTA SAMHITA.

• Nasya with paste of following with milk:

– Lakshmana.
– Sahadevi.
– Vatankura.
– Vishvadeva.
• Right- Male, Left- Female.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 16

 CONT…

 Bhavamishra:

• Palasha.

• Putramanjari.

• Vishnukranta.

• Seeds of Ishwara Lingi .

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 17

 MODE OF ACTION???

• Not clearly understood.

• Apta Vachan.

• Only hypotheses can be made.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 18

 DISCLAIMER!!!

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 19

 DIET AND REGIMEN

• A study on pre conceptual sex selection by

ionic equilibrium (diet) by Jacques & Stalwoski

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 20

• High calcium.
• High magnesium.
• Low sodium.
• Low potassium.
• For a period of 6-8 weeks prior to conception
• Receptor sites on the ova shall attract only X
chromosome sperms & repelling Y
chromosome

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 21

 CONT…
• high sodium.
• high potassium.
• low calcium.
• low magnesium diet.

• Ova attract only Y chromosome sperms &

repelling X chromosome sperms.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 22

 TIMING OF INTERCOURSE
• Y chromosome sperms are lighter and they
swim faster.
• X chromosome sperms heavier .
• If the intercourse happens immediately after
the ovulation.
• Abundant Y chromosome sperms is present.
• Abstinence.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 23

 HORMONAL CHANGES
• In 5th – 6th weeks embryo
• Potential to follow either the male or the
female pattern of development
• Because it contains:
– paramesonephric duct (mullerian)
– mesonephric duct (wolffian)
– primitive gonads that can differentiate into either
testes or ovaries.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 24

 CONT…

• Testosterone and Estrogen influence the

development of these ducts.
• Punsavan may have an effect on these
hormones.
• i.e. increase Testosterone levels leading to
development of male gonads.
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 25
 CONT…
• Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin. 1958 Apr
16;33(8):200-3.
• Masculinization of female fetus, possibly
related to administration of progesterone
during pregnancy; report of two cases.
• HAYLES AB, NOLAN RB
• PMID: 13542653 [PubMed - indexed for
MEDLINE]

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 26

 PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

• Faith and Belief

• Placebo effect??
• May lead to increased secretion of
Testosterone.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 27

 SITE OF ADMINISTRATION
• Instilled in nostrils.
• Perineural sheath of Olfactory nerve.
• Olfactory Bulb.
• Rhinoral Lobe.
• Limbic System Behaviour.
• Pitutary gland Gonadotrophins

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 28

 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• Charaka siddhi sthana.

• Nasya contraindicated in pregnancy.

• Punsavan advises Nasya.

• Rationality???

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 29

 ROLE OF ASTROLOGY
• Position of planets influence outcome of
pregnancy.
• E.g.
• Sex of the Child. Should Lagna, Moon, Jupiter
and the Sun be strong and be in male Rasis
and male Navamsas, birth of a male child.
• If they are in even Rasis and even Amsas,
female child

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 30

 ASTROGENETICS???
• Edmund Van Deusen, who wrote a book
called Astrogenetics
• Observed plants having different characters
when planted in different seasons.
• Effects of bio rhythm existing in nature.
• These also affect conception and fetal
development.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 31

 IS IT STILL PRACTICED???
• YES and NO.

• Contradictory???

• Many senior vaidyas, admit to practicing with

varied success rates.
• No documentation.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 32

 ADVERTISEMENTS

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 33

 ADVERTISEMENTS

"Learn Part of the $1.22

Billion in Research that
Allows You to Have a
Baby Boy 98 Times out
of 100, Up to 98%
Accurate"
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 34
 DESIGNER BABIES!!!
• Preinplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
• Screening of fetuses for: Genetic abnormalities
• Benign characters like eye colour, hair colour
etc.
• 70% couples have absolutely no difficulty
conceiving children.
• coming to the Institute purely for opportunity to
choose the sex of their baby.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 35

 PRE NATAL
DETERMINATION OF
SEX OF FOETUS IS
AGAINST THE LAW.
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 36
 THE PRE CONCEPTION AND PRE NATAL
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES (PROHIBITION
OF SEX SELECTION) ACT 2003

• It prohibits misuse and advertisement of –

pre-natal diagnostic techniques for
determination of sex of foetus, leading to
female foeticide.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 37

 POINTS TO PONDER
• Does Punsavan qualify as a pre natal sex determination
tool???

• Contributing to female foeticide???

• Ethical issues???

• Emotional issues???

• Changing course of nature???

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 38
 SUMMARY
• Punsavan – one of the least understood topics
in Ayurveda.
• Elaborate procedures described.
• Problems
– Identification of species of plants advised.
– Understanding mode of action.
• Double edged sword.

11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 39

 CONCLUSION

• Has potential to be a boon or bane.

• Legal/ Ethical issues apart, if improperly
performed may lead to genetic abnormalities.
• Ensure proper conception, implantation,
development.
• Not entertain sex selection.
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 40
 REFERENCES
• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Ashtang Sangraha
• Ashtang Hridaya
• Pubmed
• www.fightback.com
• www.scribd.com
• Edmund Van Deusen. Astrogenetics. New York:
Doubleday, 1976
11/2/21 PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 41
11/2/21
Thank you
PUNSAVAN an astrogenetics 42