Do children of corrupt & malevolent parents often inherit similar traits? The Tragedy of the Kauravas: A Confluence of Factors

The viewpoint of ancient Indian scriptures regarding the formation of an infant’s characteristics attributing the child's nature to three types of influence:

Daiva (Karma):

1. The individual child's accumulated karma.

2. The soul (Atman) entering the womb brings the pre-existing tendencies (Samskaras).

Shukra & Shonita (Genetic Material):

3. The father's & mothers physical & biological contribution to the child.

Garbhini Paricharya (Maternal Environment):

4. The pregnant mother's mental, physical & emotional status.

The Philosophy of Garbh Sanskar

Garbh Sanskar, meaning literally “educating the fetus” or "womb culture" is an ancient concept & practice. The scriptures like Charaka Samhita & Sushruta Samhita very clearly describe that the mother's mental, physical state as well as diet, will shape the unborn child's physique & psyche. These ancient Indians had knowledge without any CT scan or other modern instruments millennium beforethe rest of the humanity about biology & psychology of fetus & pregnancy.

According to ancient sages, intense emotional situations like rage, despair & fear will imbalance the Doshas (explained below) & the life force Prana & thus make the child a victim of negative personality traits & physical defects.

What is Dosha? Doshas are one of three types of bio-energies (or bio-types) within the body that influences the function of an individual’s psyche & physique. These three types are Vata, Pitta & Kapha derived from the word "Dosha", meaning that which can go out of balance.

Everyone is born with a unique ratio of the three Doshas. These three Doshas are comprised of the five elements of nature: Space, Air, Fire, Water & Earth:

1. Vata (Space & Air)

Nature of Vata - Governs all movement in the body:

Movement of breath, blood flow & nerve impulses.

Those whose nature (Prakriti) is Vata type will have following qualities:

They are quick thinkers, energetic, lively, imaginative & active. Their potential imbalanced state could lead to anxiety, fear, thinness, poor digestion & constipation.

2. Pitta (Fire & Water)

Nature of Pitta:

It governs the metabolic processes like body temperature, digestion & nutrient absorption.

Those whose nature (Prakriti) is Pitta type will have following qualities:

Tend to be logical, sharp & determined. Potential negative aspects of a Pitta state could be anger, irritation & inflammation.

3. Kapha (Earth & Water)

Nature of Kapha:

These three components control the body's structure, provide the joints lubrication & regulate immunity &joints.

Those whose nature (Prakriti) is Kapha type will have following qualities:

They are generally calm, gentle & sturdy & have excellent immunity. An imbalance could lead to weight gain, lethargy & sinus problems.

The Goal: Equilibrium

According to the principles of Ayurveda, equilibrium is desired between these three Doshas in your individual constitution. The imbalance of  doshas due to external factors like climate, diet or the state of one’s mind, cause the individual to suffer from an ailment.

The Tragedy of the Kauravas: A Combination of factors

The characters of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari & the 100 Kauravas' tale seem to be tailor-made to illustrate all these principles.

Parent's Mindset:

Dhritarashtra possessed immense insecurity, sense of entitlement & a burning desire to possess what was not meant for him. Gandhari though righteous did not bear the trauma of not been able to provide a son to Dhritarashtra an heir to the throne before Kunti gave birth to Yudhishthira& eventually beat her pregnant womb out in intense agony.

Womb Environment:

In the context of Garbh Sanskar the clump of flesh, which became the 100 Kauravas' bodies & souls were conceived & nurtured in an atmosphere of intense suffering, hatred, bitterness & insecurity.

External Post- Natal Environment:

Though there was an inborn inclination to envy & self-importance in their characters. Their maternal uncle Shakuni watered the seeds of enmity & hatred that already existed within Duryodhana & his brothers in their childhood.

Modern Scientific Outlook:

The Strict DNA Reality

DNA sequence structure cannot be altered, in any way, by your thoughts during sexual intercourse or even during pregnancy. A parent who happens to be currently frustrated or wicked does not pass on genetically any of their bad characteristics onto the DNA sequence that makes the child. So thoughts like 'corruption' or 'betrayal' cannot be transmitted as parts of the DNA structure. The children of malevolent or cruel parents do not have a predisposition that forces them to inherit the tendency towards bad actions.

The Science of Epigenetics (The Bridge between science & Garbh Sanskar)

In contrast, what the ancients talked about has a direct correlation to the science of Epigenetics. DNA sequence cannot change but the way it is expressed (turned ON or OFF), is affected by environmental & physiological factors & these can influence the physical & psychological makeup of the child, especially, in its developing stages in the womb. A mother's anxiety, trauma or chronic stress during pregnancy releases hormones (cortisol etc.) & neurochemicals which pass on through the placenta & affect DNA methylation. DNA methylation will influence which genes are expressed, i.e. Turned on or turned OFF  &  will result in a child having an innate tendency to react to stressors more acutely & with anxiety later in life.

In Utero Stress:

Modern scientific studies have proved that maternal stress in the womb affects the fetus’s brain structure, making him/her prone to stress, fear & anxiety.

Intergenerational Trauma:

It has also been scientifically proved that severe trauma suffered can lead to epigenetic changes that can be transmitted to the subsequent generation making them more susceptible to psychological distress & disorders.

Conclusion: Biology vs. Free Will

Both modern science & ancient Indian literature unanimously agree that parental state of mind, especially of the mother & environment greatly matter to the physical & mental well-being of a child. Both traditions acknowledge that the emotional atmosphere of pregnancy establishes a powerful base.

Neither system of medicine, however, believes that these factors dictate one's future with an ironclad certainty.

According to Hinduism, Purushartha (free will & conscious effort) states that an individual has the ability to rise above his predetermined nature/inheritance & to choose righteousness (Dharma) instead of succumbing to negative inclinations.

The Kauravas may have been subject to many biological & spiritual impositions in the womb, but ultimately, they were victims of their own repeated choices not to heed good counsel that made them follow the path to their ruin.

This article is by the Author Jeevan Gopalan: 

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