Early Life and Abortion Teachings- Hindiusm

Question 1

Mahabharata Shanti Parva 47-56

Answer 1

“In him all things exist, from him all things originate. He has become all”

Question 2

Svetatarva Upanishad (a Sanskrit text)

Answer 2

“His being is the souce of all being. He is God, hidden in all thngs, the inmost soul who is in all. He watches the works of creation, lives in all things, watches all things”

Question 3

Ahimsa

Answer 3

We should protect a foetus because it is a living, conscious person. Protection is a result of ahimsa and respect. When considering abortion, Hindus choose the action that will do the least harm to all involved: the mother, father, foetus and society.

Question 4

Karma

Answer 4

Since all souls go through the cycle of Samsura, abortion prevents the soul from working through a lifetime- we block the soul’s progress towards Moksha and union with Brahman. Doing so, we may accumalate negative karma. Some Hindu scriptures say that those who abort their children will themselves be aborted in a future life. A woman who aborts will lose her caste.

Question 5

Ashrama

Answer 5

The ashrama of the mother is higher that that of the foetus. Therefore her life is a priority and it is acceptable to abort the foetus if her life is at risk.

Question 6

Dharma

Answer 6

People who abort babies for a living do not have a dharma of aborting babies. Rather, their duty is to save the mother’s life. If the mother’s health is at risk, it is a totally unselfish motive to abort the foetus. Another unselfish motive would be if the foetus were to be born into a life of poverty, or with serious physical or mental abnormalities. However, even so, some people may say that surely a life with disabilities is preferable than no life at all? Many Hindus believe that selfish motives of abortion, such as unwanted pregrancy, or social reasons, should be condemmed.