A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c25.604.2

v1.c25.604.2

napuṃsakas may possess all grades of mixed characteristics (2.8); those typical of a napuṃsaka with mainly female traits are enumerated, those of the opposite type can then be deduced (2.9);53 sensations (vedanā) arise in the foetus; it begins to move (spandate) and to desire for the objects of the five senses (2.10); the heart of the foetus is connected with that of the mother by rasa-carrying vessels (dhamanī); this is the cause of the appearance of the longings (śraddhā) in the mother, who is therefore called dauhṛdinī;54 others assert that these longings appear in the fourth month (2.11); the longings should be respected; otherwise, vāta gets excited and causes annihilation of the foetus or malformations;55 gratification will result in the birth of a strong, long-lived son (2.12); the development of the foetus during the fourth to seventh months (2.13);56 the signs of instability during the eighth month; the problems during this period are due to the variability of the distribution of ojas over the bodies of mother and child (2.14);57 others hold that the foetus may die in this month, not due to the instability of the ojas, but on account of the demonic influences of the Nairṛtas (nairṛtabhāgatva); these beings should be soothed by appropriate types of bali;58 after expiry of the eighth month until a full year has elapsed, a woman may give birth (prasavakāla); delivery taking place later will result in an abnormal child59 (2.15);