Hinduism is the world’s third-largest religion and is believed to have been around since 4,000BC. Hindus have a rich creation mythology, and while the stories differ based on time, region, and school of thought, the fundamentals of Hinduism remain the same. Additionally, this religion is revered for its spiritual depth and complexity, protective of its ancient wisdom, and has roots extending to the earliest of times. A key debate in this religious tradition is the question of when life begins.
Prenatal Care and Utterance of Gods
One aspect of Hinduism that can provide insight into when life begins is the tremendous attention given to prenatal care. Hindus consider parents to be the “controllers” of the unborn child’s destiny, and perform a variety of rituals and prayers to protect the fetus from the terrible effects of sin and unwanted circumstances. This tradition ties into the notion that physicians should be approached with sentiments of gratitude and respect, particularly when it comes to pregnancy, in order to ensure a safe and healthy life for the unborn child. Additionally, there is a prominent idea of divine utterances, in which deities will manifest in a specific age with advice specifically for the unborn child.
Ayurvedic Concepts
Branching out from the Hindu philosophies of respect and divine utterances, Ayurvedic medicine presents an invaluable insight into what Hindus believe to be the moment of life’s inception. Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine, and includes knowledge of herbs and minerals, aromatherapy, and meditation. Moreover, Ayurveda includes a concept of a “living body” which is believed to be a condensation of energy, rather than an aggregate of chemical compounds. This energy creates and sustains a being, beginning with the moment of conception and continuing until death.
Origin of Life From Atma
The ancient Hindu tradition believes life is originated from the powerful force of atma. Atma is the essence of existence, from which the living universe, and all beings, arise. The entire universe is believed to be one unified whole, with life being the manifestation of the various forms and relationships that make up that whole. By understanding this, one is said to understand the origin of all life, and the answer to when life begins.
Rigvedic Riddle
A more concrete answer can be found with a verse from the Rigveda, which is accepted as the oldest record of the Vedas, the sacred books of Hinduism. The verse goes: From whence are born all breathing creatures? From the matter of semen and the mother “My own self was born, and so shall other creatures be born.” This verse gives the perspective that life at its origins comes from the union of the male and female, and the spiritual force of atma. This representation of life is believed to bring about the combination of form and soul, and the presence of atma itself.
Womb as a Sacred Space
In Hinduism, the womb is considered to be a holy, divine space endowed with incredible power and strength. Traditional beliefs and values maintain that life begins in the womb, as the embryo and fetus is afforded the highest level of personal, physical, and spiritual protection. This includes the careful nutrition of the mother, protection through mantras and sacred symbols, and attention to the mother’s physical and psychological well being. Respect for the unborn and the power of the womb comes from the understanding of protection and reverence of the divine energy which is passed from the mother to the unborn child.
Life As A Continuous Cycle
According to Hinduism, life is a cycle. Human life begins with conception and continues after death. After death, a person’s thoughts, actions, and karma will determine the course of their next life; it is believed that a person’s spiritual development is passed from one generation to the next. This cycle occurs for eternity, with no real beginning or end. This belief reinforces the idea that life does not begin with conception, but instead life is a continual process in the grand scheme of eternity.
Conclusion
The debate of when life begins in Hinduism is a multifaceted one and has various interpretations that span across many aspects of this ancient religion. However, one prominent belief is that life starts with the mother’s connection to her growing fetus, as she carries divine energy in her womb, and passes it on to her unborn child. Additionally, a further understanding develops through the study of prenatal care and Ayurvedic medicine, as well as the Rigvedic riddle which seeks to offer insight into the origins of life and the eternal cycle of reincarnation.
