Article: A COMPARATIVE EXPLORATION OF GARBHOPANISHAD IN THE PURVIEW OF THE BRIHATRAYEE: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.155176

Pages: 155-161

Author: Pankaj Sharma, Suhas Kumar Shetty *, Sanyogeeta A Dixit, Vaishnavi G Kulkarni, Shedbale Susmita Devagonda

Abstract: This review aims to explore the Garbhopanishad in the purview of Ayurvedic texts, particularly the Brihatrayee (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridayam), to provide a comparative analysis of various aspects of embryology and physiology. The Garbhopanishad, attributed to Maharishi Pippalada, discusses the formation, development, and functioning of the human body from conception through foetal growth to birth. It delves into the panchamahabhoota theory, describing the body's composition and functions based on the five elements and their interactions. The text also outlines the monthly growth stages of the foetus, the formation of bodily tissues, and the factors influencing sex determination and birth defects. Key findings include detailed descriptions of the physiological processes governing foetal development, the influence of maternal and paternal factors on the foetus, and the Ayurvedic interpretations of these processes as found in the Brihatrayee. This review highlights the unique monologue of the foetus regarding its previous lives and the philosophical implications of birth and rebirth. By examining each verse of the Garbhopanishad through the lens of Ayurvedic literature, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of ancient Indian embryological knowledge and its relevance to contemporary Ayurvedic practice.

Keyword: Ayurveda, Brihatrayee, Garbha, Garbhopanishad, Foetal development