Thread by @GaikwadAnkur

1)
Amidst the recent judgement of US Supreme Court about #AbortionBan, it's interesting to look at what the #Hindu scripture of *Garbha #Upanishad* says regarding embryonic development.

In this #thread, I'll try to compare its observations with modern scientific findings as well

2)
Garbha Upanishad is a very concise Upanishad, which deals with the constitution of body, the embryonic development, and concludes beautifully with guidelines regarding Moksha.

3)
'Through having the union at the ṛta (season), the embryo is formed.
In 7 days, it becomes like a bubble.
In 2 weeks, it becomes like a ball.

In 4 weeks, the ball hardens.
By 2 months (8 weeks), the head is formed.
By 3 months (12 weeks), the feet emerge.'

4)
'By 4 months (16 weeks), the ankles, stomach, hip/waist develops.
By 5 months (20 weeks), backbone develops.
By 6 months (24 weeks), face, nose, eyes, ears develop.

IN 7TH MONTH, FETUS UNITES WITH JIVA.
By 8th month (~32 weeks), all organs are formed.'

5) (skipped 2 verses not abt monthly development)

'In 9th month, the Prana strengthens itself with nutrition of mother. So it attains full (foetal) development in 9th month. It remembers its past lives & karmas.'

6)
'However, after exiting the womb cavity after much hardship, it forgets all past lives & karmas after sensing the (all-pervading?) Vayu.'

7)
As the development of organs & limbs is mentioned in chronological order in the Garbha Upanishad, it's also helpful to refer the same timeline through modern science. This was gathered from Wikipedia and is tabulated below. 👇

8)
Thus, in modern anatomical observations, it's noticed that there's deviation only in timing of formation of eyes. Garbha Upanishad gives it about 6 months (24 wks), while observations say 10 weeks.

Development of the rest of the organs is surprisingly well-timed in Garb.Up.!!

9)
Another interesting, & perhaps decisive point for debates on abortion, is the union with Jiva.

Garbha Upanishad asserts that the foetus unites with Jiva in 7th month. This happens right after the lungs, nose & the respiratory tract are sufficiently developed, as per science.

10)
Hence, we see here a marvellous harmony in the timelines!

A/c to science, the heart starts beating at just 22 days after conception. Different opinions may exist amongst people on when a foetus can be said to be alive. Timing of heart beating is the 1st intuitive guess.

11)
However, the clear mention of *"union with Jiva" in the 7th month* does add an interesting dimension to the question of "when a foetus can be said to be 'alive'?"

12)
⚠️DISCLAIMER: I'm not a medical science student, & this thread doesn't intend to give ANY medical advice. It's purely meant to record my thoughts on this topic & brain-storming.Don't use this thread for any medical decisions.

(Images & paintings credits to respective owners)

@rattibha