The Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता) is an ancient text on medicine and one of the most important such treatises on this subject to survive from the ancient world. Alongside the Charaka-Saṃhitā, the Bhela-Saṃhitā it is one of the two foundational Hindu texts on the medical profession that have survived from ancient India. Sushruta Samhita is dated to around 2000 BCE to 600 BCE.
The Samhita is divided into 186 chapters and contains descriptions of 1,120 illnesses, 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources and 57 preparations based on animal sources.
Something that got me curious about it was the Islamic claim of "miracle" in the Quran about the fetal development. The obsession to call something a miracle is sometimes amusing. I asked myself, did Sushruta talk about fetal development? I googled and found some interesting perspectives. The details are lot more meaningful and more "miraculous" (even though we do not consider these as miracles but the genius of the ancestors and their wisdom, nothing more than that) than anything found in Quran. Below are just some selected shlokaas from Sushrutha Samhita. We also have similar descriptions in the Charaka Samhita (dated conservatively between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. which are both centuries before the dating of Quran). Here are some selected verses of fetal development in the sushrutha samhita:
Formation of the fetus:
शुक्रशोणितसम्भूतं यदा गर्भं अवाप्यते । अर्थधर्मकाममोक्षाणां हेतुः शरीरधारिणाम् ॥ (Sushruta Samhita, Sharira Sthana, Chapter 3, Verse 3)
Translation: When the Garbha (fetus) is formed from the union of Shukra (sperm) and Shonita (ovum), it becomes the basis of the human body, which serves as the means to achieve the four goals of life—Artha (wealth), Dharma (righteousness), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation).
Śoṇita (शोणित) refers to “female genetic prototype”. It is one of the factors in determining the Prakṛti, which is the genetically determined physical and mental constitution of an individual. Also see Śukra, which refers to the “male genetic prototype”. The term is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Suśruta-saṃhitā and the Caraka-saṃhitā (https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shonita).
This shloka emphasizes the importance of the body as the foundation for achieving life's purposes and how the process of conception is essential for the continuity of life.
पितरौ गर्भधारणस्य हेतू, पुरुषशुक्रं स्त्रीशोणितं गर्भस्योपादानं, आकाशवाय्वग्न्यापः पृथिवी च शरीरविनिर्माणं तदुपदायकार्यं, आत्मा पुनर्गर्भोपजीव्यस्तत्र स्थावरजङ्गमानां सर्वभावप्रसवो गर्भ इत्युच्यते॥2॥
Translation: The parents are the cause of conception. The Shukra (sperm) from the male and Shonita (ovum) from the female are the material cause of the embryo. The five elements—ether (Akasha), air (Vayu), fire (Agni), water (Apah), and earth (Prithvi)—play a role in the formation of the body, which is their secondary effect. The Atma (soul) sustains the embryo, and in that embryo is the potential for the creation of all living beings, both immovable (plants) and movable (animals). Thus, it is called Garbha (fetus).
नारीणामाशयमध्यस्तं शुक्लं रजश्चयते शुक्रं शीतं स्थिरं पीतं तु रक्तं गुरु।
तेन स्त्रीपुंयोरल्पबुद्धिविनिश्चये ज्ञेयस्त्रिविधोऽपि योऽर्थः॥3॥
Translation: In the womb of a woman, the Shukra (sperm) and Rajas (ovum) come together. The Shukra is cold and stable, while the Rajas is warm and heavy. From this combination, the determination of the sex (male or female) arises, and those with lesser intelligence attribute it to only three forms (i.e., male, female, or both).
तत्र गर्भशब्दः शुक्रशोणितयोः संश्लेषमात्रे प्रयोगो भवति। शरीरान्तो गर्भ इत्युच्यते॥4॥
Translation: Here, the term Garbha (fetus) is used to refer to the mere union of Shukra (sperm) and Shonita (ovum). When the body starts to form, it is called Garbha.
गर्भस्योत्पत्तौ पञ्चमहाभूतान्युपकारिणः।
आकाशादशरीरस्य शिरोविवरा भवन्ति हि।
वायोः स्पर्शाश्च नाड्यश्च रक्तमज्यात्पृथिवीत्वचा॥6॥
Translation:
In the process of the fetus's development, the five great elements are contributory.
From ether (Akasha), the cavities of the body are formed;
From air (Vayu), the sensation of touch and the nadis (channels) arise;
From fire (Agni), the digestive processes develop;
From water (Apah), the bodily fluids are created;
And from earth (Prithvi), the solid structures such as bones and flesh are formed.
त्रयाणामेवान्तःकरणानां श्रोत्रादीनि च क्षितिजलानलवाय्वी नामेन्द्रियाणि भवन्ति॥7॥
Translation: The senses of hearing and others, which belong to the inner faculties of the three (mind, intellect, and ego), are derived from the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
जीवः शुक्राग्निकर्मणोः सम्भूतमात्मनो बीजं दशरात्रमभिवर्धते तु शुक्राद्भवति पुरुषबीजं शोनिताज्जायते स्त्रीबीजं तयोः संमूर्छनाच्चेत्तु पुरन्ध्र्यात्मा जायते गर्भः॥8॥
Translation: The Jiva (soul) develops from the combined actions of the Shukra (sperm) and Agni (fire), which together form the seed of the soul. This seed flourishes for ten nights (or ten lunar phases) and is identified as the male seed (Shukra) and female seed (Shonita). From their union, the Atma (soul) manifests and becomes the Garbha (fetus).
मासे मासे शरीरस्य यथा संनिपतो भवेत्।
अण्डकृष्णमृदालिप्तं तैलाद्भिर्यद्विकल्प्यते॥9॥
Translation: Month by month, as the body develops, it appears like an egg covered with black mud or oil, evolving through various transformations.
प्रथमं मासमथ गर्भो निपतेदुच्यते तु सः। द्वितीये स्फुटते गुल्मः तृतीये पञ्चविन्दुकः॥10॥
Translation: In the first month, the fetus is said to appear as a lump of tissue. In the second month, it takes the shape of a rounded mass, and in the third month, it shows five projections (the head, two arms, and two legs).
चतुर्थे रूपमाप्नोति पञ्चमे ज्ञायते स्त्रियः। षष्ठे सम्पूर्णतां याति सप्तमे स्थूलवर्णवित्॥11॥
Translation: In the fourth month, it attains distinct features. In the fifth month, the sex of the fetus becomes recognizable. By the sixth month, it achieves completeness in form, and by the seventh month, it begins to develop a distinct complexion and size.
अष्टमे भ्रमतः पीडास्तवते गर्भिणां नृणाम्। यद्रसाद्वर्धते गर्भो धातवः संप्रवर्धयेत्॥12॥
Translation: In the eighth month, the fetus experiences movements and sensations that indicate its development. The Garbha (fetus) grows and flourishes from the vital essences (Rasa) and the bodily elements (Dhatus) provided by the mother.
Both Charaka and Sushrutha talk extensively about the importance of creating the right conditions and environment for fetal development and garbhadhAraNe.
Charaka describes the various stages of fetal development:
प्रथमं मासमथ गर्भो निपतेदुच्यते तु सः। द्वितीये स्फुटते गुल्मः तृतीये पञ्चविन्दुकः॥ चतुर्थे रूपमाप्नोति पञ्चमे ज्ञायते स्त्रियः। षष्ठे सम्पूर्णतां याति सप्तमे स्थूलवर्णवित्॥ (Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana 4.8-9)
Translation: "In the first month, the fetus implants or settles as a mass; in the second month, it expands into a distinct embryo. By the third month, five small protrusions (limbs) are visible. In the fourth month, the shape is recognizable, and in the fifth month, gender becomes apparent. By the sixth month, it is fully developed, and in the seventh, the body becomes thick and solid."
आकाशादशरीरस्य शिरोविवरा भवन्ति हि | वायोः स्पर्शाश्च नाड्यश्च रक्तमज्यात्पृथिवीत्वचा॥ (Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana 4.5)
Translation: "The element of ether forms the body cavities, air governs the sense of touch and the movement of nerves, fire provides warmth and metabolism, water forms blood and other fluids, and earth creates the tissues of the body."
The effect of the parents on the offspring:
तत्र गर्भधारणं च, स्त्रीणां सुखशब्दं च। न च तत्र हानिरित्यवस्थायां भूषिते॥
Translation: There, the process of conception and the joyful words of women abound. In that state, there is no fear of loss or damage (sushrutha samhita)
पञ्चमं च गर्भं चित्तं, विद्ध्यादिन्यस्तं चेदहं। धारयेदेव चित्तेन, पादुकेषु यदा सति॥
Translation: In the fifth month, if the mind is not disturbed, one should hold onto that tranquility even in times of strife.
सप्तमं च गर्भाणां, युक्तं चित्तं च तस्य च। गर्भधारणं च सङ्कल्पं, स्वप्नेन च यथा यथा॥
Translation: In the seventh month, the connection with the fetus becomes strong, and the intention to conceive aligns with dreams and aspirations.
शिक्षितं च शुचिर्भवेत्, धर्मसंयुक्तं हि तत्र। कान्तारोषे च तत्र हि, गात्राणि च च्युतं भवेत्॥
Translation: The mind becomes pure and knowledgeable, firmly grounded in virtue. In the presence of love and warmth, the body is invigorated.
आमिषं च क्रीडितं च, तद्विना च सुखदं सदा। आमिषस्य च हानिं च, चित्तं च चित्तवृत्तिना॥
Translation: Nourishment and enjoyment bring happiness; without these, the mind cannot thrive. The loss of nourishment affects the stability of the mind.
सुतं प्राप्नोति यो नित्यं, सर्दुलसि समुत्तमे। दुर्वृत्ताः न कदाचित् पत्युः स्युः सुतसाम्यम्।
Translation:
"One who maintains virtuous conduct continuously, achieves success in conception. Those with bad habits never obtain healthy offspring. (Charaka Samhita)
"Breast milk is the strength of the newborn, and it should be given on the first day of birth."
References: Sushruta Samhita - Wikipedia
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