US, July 18, 2017: Clergy and representatives of various religious and spiritual traditions were invited to participate in a focus group in May, this year in Texas. On this particular occasion, Anjana Chatterjee and Dr. Deepak Kotecha shared their views about myths and misconception surrounding infertility.
According to studies, there has been a steady decline in sperm count by 48 percent since 1940. In ancient India, a woman's worth was determined by her ability to bear and raise children. If found infertile, women were often burnt alive or outcasted and banished. Hinduism allows for a variety of responses when it comes to treating infertility.
Hinduism Practices and Beliefs
Temple worshipping and 'Tapasya' are well-known ancient methods to treat infertility. Parvati or Uma is known as the Hindu goddess of fertility. Fertility symbols and fertility rituals are ingrained in the daily life of Hindus.
The worshiping of the girl child before she reached puberty is regarded as a celebration of female fertility. This is celebrated in its most virgin and purest state. Many other fertility symbols and rituals are deep seated in the daily life of Hindus, mentioned beliefnet.com.
In a pre-feminist world, the burden of infertility fell solely upon the women folks. It was seen as a consequence of karmic factors more than biological factors. In the middle ages, the issue of infertility got strongly inter-mingled by religious factors. To eradicate infertility Hinduism has often resorted to 'tantrism' or esoteric practices.
Hinduism is a pluralistic system of values and customs. Over the ages, Hinduism has come to accept scientific medical treatment and assistance to deal with the rise of infertility. Vitro fertilization is considered acceptable if the sperm and egg are preferably not donated and is coming from any male family member. Hinduism has also a profound belief in the ayurvedic treatment, a very traditional method of treating sterility.
– prepared by Puja Sinha of NewsGram. Twitter @pujas1994