ABSTRACT

Background - Indian Astrology deals with the future socio-economic outcomes of an individual, based not only on the planetary positions at the time of birth but also on the body features (samudrika). In this connection lot of ancient Ayurvedic concepts like Ayu laxanas (body part structure examination), Praman Pariksha (body parts measurement), Sara Pariksha (body essence examination), Chhaya laxanas (body aura examination) etc have been incorporated in ancient Indian Astrological science. Month-wise intrauterine foetal development is one such concept, inherited from Ayurveda in astrology, with greater precision. Introduction - This description of the monthly development of intrauterine fetal development is mostly found in the famous Astrology books ‘Brihat Jatakam’ and ‘Laghu Jatakam’, written by the famous Indian Astrologer Varahamihira. Acharya Bhatotpla had written a very scholarly commentary on it. Modern medical science has made enormous progress in understanding the process of embryogenesis and organogenesis in intrauterine life with the help of modern technical advances. The accurate description of month-by-month intrauterine foetal development given in Astrology, without any advanced technological tools, is mesmerising. Aims & Objectives - The present study aims to examine month-wise intrauterine foetal development in Astrology, based on the scholarly works of Varahamihira and Acharya Bhatotpla, with special reference to modern embryogenesis.Material & Methods – The literary method of research is adopted in the present study. All the literature related to month-wise intrauterine foetal development given in Brihat Jatakam of Varahmihira and in the commentary of Bhatotpala is studied critically in the light of modern medical science to come to the logical conclusion.Observations - The 1st-2nd month description of embryonic development is more precise in modern medical science. science. The 5th- and 6th-month descriptions of foetal development are more precise in Jyotish science.Discussion – Up to the embryonic stage, modern science studies embryonic development on a weekly basis, whereas Jyotish science studies it on a monthly basis. Modern science studies embryogenesis in terms of zygotic division, cleavage, morula, blastocyte, trophoblast, gastrulation, formation of three germinal layers, somitogenesis, and formation of primitive body segments, whereas ancient terminology is used in Astrological science.Conclusion - The description of monthly foetal development in Astrological science can fairly be correlated with the modern description of embryogenesis and organogenesis. Proper blending of ancient and modern medical knowledge not only bridges the knowledge gap but also enhances the understanding of the subject Keywords: Embryogenesis, Foetal development