Friday, June 6, 2025

Indian traditions : Chromosomes, Genes and Relations.

(a) Husband and wife - first generation
(b) Children (siblings) - second generation. They take 50%-50% chromosomes from parents so share 
                                       50% genes
(c) Grandchildren        - third generation. Share 25% genes of grandparents (first generation)
(d) Fourth generation shares 12.5% genes
(e) Fifth generation shares 6.25% genes
(f) Sixth generation shares 3.125% genes
(g) Seventh generation shares 1.56% genes
(h) Eighth generation shares < 1% genes of the first generation 

As per Indian tradition, starting from the origin (first generation), family relations (cousins/bhaubandaki) are counted till the seventh generation. Marriage within the family is not encouraged till the seventh generation as there is a possibility of congenital disease in the children (due to a non dominant gene becoming dominant).

From eighth generation, it is not considered as family and that's why the relationship of husband-wife is said to be of seven lives.

Three generations are called 'sapind' (literally meaning from the same lump of rice - this is because a lump of rice is offered to the three nearest ancestors) and from fourth to seventh, they are not 'sapind' but 'bhaubandaki'. (Some of us will remember that the pandit asks us to take names of three preceding generations while performing pujas).

After seven generations, the relation is not of family but is considered to be of some lineage (gotra).

Above information helps understand the logic behind some of the traditions so common but rarely understood. "And today, Modern Science speaks of chromosomes and genes across seven generations which our learned sages had discovered 3000 to 5000 years ago".

My take

Our forefathers knew about life!


Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5, the chores and we opened up the house for the day.

Went for my walk as it was a bright, sunny day.

The maid was at work.

Lunch.

Watched a nice episode of 'Crime Patrol' on Sony.

Siesta.

The evening chores.

 

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