Bibliogr. s. 197-198

It is a well-known fact that, for many reasons, producing a son has always been of utmost importance for an Indian couple. For the husband, a male child meant not only the possibility to ensure the continuation of his patrilineage, but also the fulfilment of obligations to the ancestors. A woman truly entered her affinal home only with the birth of a child, and giving birth to a son made her incorporation into the husband’s family worthy of appreciation. Everyday life in its all manifestations, along with all its sorrows and joys, is reflected in human literary creativity. No wonder, therefore, that the question of how to get a son has become the nucleus of many Sanskrit narratives as well as of folk tales in different vernaculars. One could also take into consideration the fact that all these tales about impregnating food, so popular among tribal people in different parts of the world, are based on a close observation of nature, and certain substances introduced into the diet can really stimulate procreativity.