Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
AIAPGET Points
- Charaka – The fetus is described as KHETABHUTA – a semisolid, sticky substance resembling phlegm or mucus. This happens when ATMA with all its qualities gets MIXED with ALL THE DHATUS. Body parts are INCOMPLETELY MANIFESTED in spite of their presence in SAD-ASAD form.
- Sushruta – KALALA – a jelly-like mass is formed.
- Ashtanga Hridaya – the embryo becomes a Kalala in the FIRST WEEK and is Avyakta.
- Ashtanga Sangraha – KALALA is formed.
- Kashyapa – BEEJA DHATU is divided by JIVATMA and is surrounded by RAKTA.
- Harita – KALALA is formed on Day 1 → gets BUDBUDHAKARA on day 10 → becomes GHANA on day 15 → attains shape of MAMSAPINDA on day 20 → becomes PANCHABHUTATMAKA on day 25 → attains PANCHATATVA DRAVIBHUTA form at the end of one month (30th day) → ANKURAS on / by 50th Day
- Bhavamishra – In the first month, the garbha is similar to SHUKRA-ARTAVA SAMYOGA and is DRAVIBHUTA.
- Garbhopanishad – Kalala is formed on Day 1 → Budbudhakara on Day 7 → Pishta Akriti on Day 15 → Kathina on Day 30
- Modern Embryology – Events of first month of fetal development involves – Fertilization → Zygote formation → Zygote moves through fallopian tube towards uterus → During movement of zygote, rapid cell division and formation of MORULA (fluid filled multi-cellular mass) occurs → Formation of blastocyst from Morula in the uterus → Implantation of Blastocyst in the uterus and → Formation of Embryo from the inner group of blastocyst cells → Formation of Placenta from the outer layer of blastocyst cells
In this article we shall have a look at different opinions of different acharyas regarding the development of the fetus in the first month of pregnancy, in Ayurveda treatises.
Development of Fetus in the first month of pregnancy – Different Opinions of Different Acharyas in Different Treatises
Charaka Samhita
स सर्वगुणवान् गर्भत्वमापन्नः प्रथमे मासि सम्मूर्च्छितः सर्वधातुकलुषीकृतः खेटभूतो भवत्यव्यक्तविग्रहःसदसद्भूताङ्गावयवः||९||
“तस्मिन्नात्मा महाभूतैः सयुक्तः श्लेष्मसदृशं रूपं प्रतिपद्यते; अव्यक्तं तु तस्मिन्नङ्गावयवा भवन्ति” (Cha. Sha. 4/9).
The atma – soul possessing all the qualities gets amalgamated with all the dhatus to form KHETABHUTA – a semisolid or sticky substance (similar to kapha in form and consistency). All the body parts are not completely manifested in spite of their presence in sad (explicated) or asad (non-explicated) form.
Ref – Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana, Chapter 4, Verse 9
Garbha here is described as Khetabhuta – resembling phlegm or mucus. This consistency is due to intimate mixture of all the dhatus i.e. tissues and the influence of the five mahabhutas – five elements. All the future body parts are present in a minute and latent form.
In short – Garbha, in its first month is in the shape of a formless substance wherein all elements for future organogenesis are present, yet in unmanifest form.
Sushruta Samhita
“प्रथमे मासे कललं भवति” (Su. Sha. 3/18)
In the first month, Kalala – a jelly-like mass is formed.
The embryo in the second month is a kalala – a semisolid, slimy and sticky mass. It is considered as avyakta i.e. unmanifest and has a gentle structure.
In short, garbha is formless and has jelly-like mass.
Ashtanga Hrdaya & Ashtanga Sangraha
अव्यक्तः प्रथमे मासि सप्ताहात्कललीभवेत् ।(A.H. Sha. 137).
“प्रथमे मासे कललं भवति” (A.S. Sha. 2/7).
According to Ashtanga Hridaya, during the first seven days, the embryo becomes a kalala – jelly-like mass and is avyakta i.e. unmanifested (sex is not determined?).
According to Ashtanga Sangraha – Kalala is formed.
So, according to both these treatises, in the first month, kalala is formed – the embryo is in the form of kalala (jelly like mass).
Kashyapa Samhita (Khila Sthana, Garbhavakranti Sharira)
Acharya Kashyapa has explained the first month development of the embryo in a different way from those of Brihat Trayis.
Firstly, the beeja-dhatu (seed essence – zygote?) is divided by Jivatma – the soul and is surrounded by rakta – blood. Herein, kalala is formed.
Harita Samhita (Shasta Sthana, Sharira Sthana)
Acharya Harita has explained the step-wise transformation and journey of kalala along the period of the first month.
- Kalala is formed on day 1
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- From kalala on day 1 to budbudhakara (shape of bubble) on 10th day and
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- To Ghana – dense mass on 15th day to
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- Mamsapinda – shape of a muscular mass on 20th day to
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- Panchabhutatmakam – a mass comprising of five elements of nature (earth, wind, water, fire and ether) on day 25 to
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- Panchatattva Dravibhuta – liquid form of panchatattvas or panchabhutas at the end of one month (30th day)
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- By 50th day – Ankuras – buds of body parts (limbs etc) are formed
Bhavaprakasha (Purva Khanda, Garbha Prakarana, Chapter 3)
Acharya Bhavamishra is of the opinion that in the first month the shape of the Garbha is dravibhuta (liquified) and similar to what it was at the time of union of Shukra and Artava, indicating not much changes take place in the zygote in the first month.
Garbhopanishad
According to Garbhopanishad, the below mentioned events are spread out along the first month of fetal development –
– Ekaratrotthitam Kalalam – Kalala is formed after one night
– Saptaratrotthitam Budbudham – the embryo assumes bubble-like shape after seven nights
– Panchadashe Dinam Pindam – the fetus is in the shape of a solid mass after fifteen days and
– Masena Kathinam – the fetus is hard at the end of one month
Day 1 – Kalala is formed (after 1 night)
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Day 7 – Budbudhakara – bubble like (after 7 nights)
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Day 15 – Pishta Akriti – dough like / pinda – solid mass (after 15 nights)
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End of month (Day 30) – Kathina – solid mass
Summing up, according to Garbhopanishad, in the first month of fetal development – Kalala is formed – on 1st night, It attains Budbudha akara – bubble shape after 7 nights, Pinda Akruti – solid mass or Pishta Akriti – dough like structure after 15 days and Kathina – hard at the end of 30 days.
According to Modern Embryology
Development of fetus in first month of pregnancy
Week 1 & 2
The woman is actually not pregnant in the first two weeks. Conception actually occurs about 2 weeks after the beginning of the last menstrual period. But these two weeks are also counted in the pregnancy timeline of 40 weeks. The healthcare professional actually counts ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last menstrual period to find the estimated due date for delivery. So, in spite of the woman not being pregnant in the first two weeks, this time period is counted as part of the pregnancy timeline.
Week 3
Here fertilization takes place. The sperm and egg unite in one of the fallopian tubes. This gives rise to ZYGOTE – a one-celled entity. It typically has 46 chromosomes which help determine the baby’s sex and physical traits.
The zygote, soon after fertilization travels down the fallopian tube and moves towards the uterus. While travelling, it begins to divide forming MORULA – a cluster of cells, which resembles a tiny raspberry.
Week 4
This week, IMPLANTATION takes place. Once the Morula reaches the uterus it becomes BLASTOCYST. This rapidly dividing ball of cells now starts to burrow into the uterine lining. This process is called IMPLANTATION.
The inner group of cells within the blastocyst will become the EMBRYO. The outer layer will give rise to PLACENTA. This placenta nourishes the unborn baby throughout the pregnancy.
Events of first month of fetal development involves
– Fertilization
– Zygote formation
– Zygote moves through fallopian tube towards uterus
– During movement of zygote, rapid cell division and formation of MORULA (fluid filled multi-cellular mass) occurs
– Formation of blastocyst from Morula in the uterus
– Implantation of Blastocyst in the uterus and
– Formation of Embryo from the inner group of blastocyst cells
– Formation of Placenta from the outer layer of blastocyst cells
Other events include
– Initial formation of amniotic sac and basic blueprint for the formation of brain, spinal cord and heart i.e. neurulation and early organogenesis
By 4th week of development, the embryo is in the form of a tiny clump of cells but with distinct layers. There is also the beginnings of organ systems which marks the end of initial cellular differentiation and the beginning of the embryonic stage.
Three germ layers which are the sources of all the body tissues are formed from the blastocyst. They are – endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm.
