Compiled by London Swaminathan 

Date: 4 May 2018

Time uploaded in London – 7-04 am (British Summer Time)

Post No. 4977

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Kautilya observes in his monumental work Arthasastra, that wives are indeed for bearing sons—Artha sastra 3-2
A husband with a barren wife is allowed to remarry. Hindus believed that a son is necessary to do the funeral rites so that the dead person can avoid a hell called ‘puth’. That’s why a son is called Puthra.

Medical Care (Maternity care)
In the days of Kautilya great medical care was available for pregnant ladies. The midwife attended to her. The state exempted midwives from curfew rules.2-35
The commodities required for confinement were exempted from tolls 2-21
A pregnant woman gets free ferry service 2-28.
Criminal law exempted her from physical torture during pregnancy and one month after delivery.

Kautilya talks about oblations offered to Indra and Brihaspati  for the welfare of the mother and baby.1-17

Greek Ambassador Megasthenes too says
“From the time of their conception in the womb they are under the guardian care of learned men, who go to the mother and under pretence of using some incantations, for the welfare of herself and her unborn baby in reality gives her prudent hints and counsel. The women who listen most willingly are thought to be the most fortunate in their children”.

Speaking of physicians, Megathenes records
“By their knowledge of pharmacy they can make marriage and determine the sex of the offspring”.

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Various classes of sons are described by the Artha sastra (1-17) and they are

1.AURASA
Son begotten by the husband on his wife who has gone through all the required ceremonials

2.PUTRIKAAPUTRA
Son of the appointed daughter
3.KSETRAJA
Son Begotten on a wife of a person by another man, appointed for the purpose, and of the same gotra as that of the husband or of a different gotra (clan)

4.GUUDHAJA
Son secretly born in the house of relatives
5.APAVIDDHA
Son cast off by his natural parents and to belong to that man who performs necessary religious ceremonials to him.

6.KAANIINA
Son of an unmarried girl
7.SAHODHA
Son of a woman married while carrying

8.PAUNARBHAVA
Son of a remarried woman
9.DATTA
He who is given in adoption with water by both the father and the mother (Hindus use water for giving, cursing etc)
10.UPAGATA
Son who either of his own accord or following the the intention of his relatives, offers himself to be son of another
11.KRITAKA
He who is appointed as a son
12.KRIITA
He who is purchased.

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There are various other types of sons born of inter caste marriages

Kautilya was great in describing all the possibilities and allocating shares in the parental property.

It shows that the Hindu family system became very complex even during his time, 2300 years ago!

Source: Kautilya on Love and Morals by P C Chunder

— Subham —