− | Vedic families – and societies – were largely divided into patrilineal clans (''gotras''), where each clan could trace their origins to a common male ancestor. The sages of antiquity knew of various disorders caused due to in-breeding within families, and thus forbade marriages within a ''gotra''. To them, the study of human physiology required an analysis of the human embryo within the womb, and that managing disorders right at the stage of conception was important in ensuring good health within families and societies. | + | Vedic families – and societies – were largely divided into patrilineal clans (''gotras''), where each clan could trace their origins to a common male ancestor.Consanguinity means being related to someone by blood, in contrast to ''atulya gotra''. The sages of antiquity knew about various disorders caused due to in-breeding within families, and thus they forbade marriages within a ''gotra''. To them, the study of human physiology required an analysis of the human embryo within the womb, and addressing the disorders right from the stage of conception was important for ensuring good health within families and societies. |
− | The preceding chapter dealt with overarching concepts of physical and spiritual importance, such as ''purusha, atma, manas,'' and ''buddhi''. In continuation, this chapter begins with the “origin of a human being” as a result of sexual intercourse with a woman in her fertile period by a man from a different clan (''atulya-gotra''). It then talks of various factors influencing the embryogenesis, fetal growth and development, genetic abnormalities, features of ''sadya-grihita garbha'' (a female who has just conceived) etc. Consanguinity (''tulya gotra'') is being related to someone by blood, in contrast to ''atulya gotra''. | + | The preceding chapter dealt with overarching concepts of physical and spiritual importance, such as ''purusha, atma, manas,'' and ''buddhi''. In continuation, this chapter begins with the “origin of a human being” as a result of sexual intercourse with a woman in her fertile period by a man from a different clan (''atulya-gotra''). It then talks about various factors influencing the embryogenesis, fetal growth and development, genetic abnormalities, features of ''sadya-grihita garbha'' (a female who has just conceived) etc. |
| ===Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation=== | | ===Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation=== |