Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c11.3.1

c11.3.1

In the period suitable for conception (ṛtu) the face of the woman is full (slender-AS, AHr) and clean, her body, mouth and gums become moist, she is desirous of her husband, is lovely, her body and her eyes are sunk down, her hair fly around, her arms, breast, hips, navel, thighs, genitals, buttocks are in a palpitating movement and she has strong desire for enjoyment (Su 3.3.7 f.; AS 2.1.198; AHr 2.1.21 f.). The twelve nights after the beginning of menses excluding the first three form the period suitable for conception, and the child will be a male one if the conception takes place on even days i. e. 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th or 12th day, and a female one if on odd days i.e. 5th, 7th, 9th or 11th (Su 3.2.28-30; 3.3.6; AS 2.1.199; AHr 2.1.27 f.) According to a more rigorous conception, the eleventh night is also prohibited (AS, AHr); one should indeed wait for four days more after the course of menses in order to aim at excellent sons (AS). On the other hand, there is a reference to a 16 days period suitable for conception (AS, Bhāv 1.16, Ḍallaṇa on Su 3.3.6). It corresponds with the statement of law-books (Manu 3.46; Yājñ 1.79) and is therefore original. Of the 16 days, 12 days remain by subtracting four days of menstruation, and out of these 12 days first three days are again to be avoided. The sperm arrived during the bleeding in the uterus is compared with an object thrown in flowing water which is swept away by the stream.