The Concept of Artificial Pot-born Child (Test-tube Baby) in Sanskrit Literature

This study examines the concept of artificial birth, particularly the Test-Tube Baby, in ancient Sanskrit literature. Texts such as the Vedas, Mahābhārata, and Rāmāyaṇa describe instances of children born without a mother’s womb, referred to as ayonija or pot-born (ghaṭaśiśu), including figures like Agastya, Vasiṣṭha, the Kauravas, and Droṇācārya. While these accounts are largely descriptive rather than procedural, they reveal a conceptual understanding of reproductive possibilities that parallels modern in-vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques. The study underscores the foresight of ancient Indian sages and highlights the continuity between traditional knowledge systems and contemporary reproductive science, suggesting that Sanskrit literature provides both philosophical and conceptual foundations for modern medical innovations.