www.dehdan.org

Organ donation in Hinduism

Dr. Smriti Sharma Bhatia
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi

‘Donation’ is a very important concept in Hinduism. The Sanskrit word for donation is Daan. In the list of the ten virtuous acts in Hinduism, Daan comes third. Hinduism is all about seeking the answers yourself. The scriptures guide us but we have to find our own way. Decisions about organ donation and transplantation in Hinduism are left to individuals to make, but there are many references that support the concept of organ donation in Hindu scriptures. Hindus abide by Dharma (righteous living) which is in resonance with the idea of organ donation. There are no texts in Hinduism that prohibit organ donation. Donation in any form is encouraged and considered beneficial not just for the donor but also for his family.

Perhaps the most pertinent quote comes from Bhagwad Gita comparing the clothes that one wears to the body laying emphasis on the immortality of soul.

“Vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro ‘parani tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navandi dehi”

Bhagavad Gita, chapter 2:22

From a philosophical point of view, in Hinduism, the physical body after death is not significant. This reflects positively on the concept of organ donation and transplantation in Hinduism. Dharma is translated into social order by fixing certain duties of individuals and society. To donate in an attitude of compassion for the sick is the highest form of dharma that one can follow.

It is said that soul is invincible and one should not grieve for the body. As per Sanatana Dharma, the mortal body is made of Panchmaha bhoot i.e. Akash (Sky or Space), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Agni (Fire) and Prithvi (Earth).

One way to educate and inculcate ‘dharma’ has been to weave the morals or dharmic principles as stories in indian mythology. Our culture is replete with stories extolling the virtues of Daan and compassion. Tales about the use of body parts to benefit others are also deeply embedded in Hindu mythology. From the puranas, we have the story of Sage Dhadhichi who had donated his spinal cord to the Devas to defeat an asura. Indra's weapon, Vajra, was made out of Rishi

Dadhichi’s spinal cord. Infact, one of the leading body and organ donation organization in India is named after Rishi Dadhichi. (Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti).

There is an ashram of Maharshi Dadhichi in Mishrikh 'Shri Maharishi Dadhichi Ashram'. There is a shloka written on its wall.

Which means “I am blessed, my bones are blessed, by which the gods will increase in number. I have taken the resolution that I will donate the bones."

And then there is the story of King Shibi who offered his body to save a pigeon who had come to seek refuge in his kingdom giving a new dimension to compassion and living for others. From the epic Mahabharata, comes the story of Mahadani Karna. On his deathbed Karna donated his blood to Krishna as an act of supreme Daana, symbolically donating his entire storehouse of punya. His logic was that dharma was in his blood, and the punya was thus in his blood, and so by donating his blood he was giving Krishna all his punya (stored merit). These are just some examples from our hindu scriptures and puranas which emphasize the importance of donation and organ and body donation in particular.

Apart from examples from Hindu mythology, scientific and medical treatises like Charaka and Sushruta Samhita which were an important part of the Vedas also talk about organ transpalntation. Sushruta Samhita includes features of organ and limb transplants. It is claimed that Indian surgeons performed skin transplants, i.e. plastic surgery, in as early as 500 BC. Lord Ganesh, the Elephant-headed God, was created by Lord Shiva by transplanting the head of an elephant onto the body of a young boy. In fact, this is the earliest depiction of xenotransplantation. Some may dismiss this as a fable or story but one must remember all science is based on imagination.

Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti had the good fortune of interviewing many dharamgurus regarding the concept of organ and body donation in Hinduism. When Murari Bapu was asked about the belief of people that there will be no liberation without the funeral. He said that culture must be fluid like the continuous flow of Ganga. Sanatana dharma gives support, it does not bind.

Pujya Didima Sadhvi Ritambhara also wholly embraced the concept of organ donation.She told Samiti that during the Amrut Mahotsav of her Guru Yugpurush Swami Paramanandji, hundreds of people had taken a resolution of body donation, of which three bodies had been donated so far.

In my opinion, nothing surmises Hinduism’s take on organ donation better than this quote.

Which translates to ‘this body is surely the foremost instrument of doing good’.

And what better way to do good than to pledge and donate your organ and body for the cause of humanity.