[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.s3.317 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s3.317 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s3.317 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s3.317](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.317) Bhrūṇa-han, ‘slaying an embryo’; Bhrūṇa-hatyā, ‘the slaying of an embryo,’ are terms expressing a crime which is repeatedly and severely censured in the later Saṃhitās,¹ where it is said to be the greatest of all crimes, and one of which the guilt cannot be removed. In many later passages² the same crime is referred to, always with reprobation: this fact alone shows the erroneousness of the theory³ that daughters could be allowed, once born, to die if their fathers so desired. - [Previous: v2.c4.s3.316](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.316) - [Next: v2.c4.s3.318](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.318) - [Up: v2.c4.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.317](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s3.317) · Pramāṇa