CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF SEX DETERMINATION OR LING NIRDHARANA IN AYURVEDA

Abstract

All parents have a dream of be getting the healthy, intellectual and beautiful progeny this is also evident from the reference of the word like “Suputrakameeya” in classics. Ayurveda describes simple methods to produce a healthy offspring and the planning of which starts from the selection of partners. Many factors mentioned in Ayurveda towards the study of development of foetus including fertilization and sex determination, Ayurveda considered two basic factors in the development of human beings i.e., Shukra and Shonita it represents the sperm and ovum in modern medical science and which are responsible for the fertilization. Nearly all Acharyas like Charaka and Sushruta have recognised the three different types of sexes viz. Puman (male), Stri (female) and Napunsaka (hermaphrodite). In these contexts, Charaka clearly stated that dominance of Shonita during conception resulting procreation of female child and dominance of Shukra (sperm) leads to male child. The sex of an individual is determined by the X and Y chromosome. But sex determination mainly depends on the Y chromosome. It has been seen the individuals with a Y chromosome develop male characteristics and individuals without a Y chromosome develop female characteristics. Keywords: Shukra, Shonita, Puman, Stri