Page:Transsexualism in Hindu Mythology.pdf/1

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In spite of India showing progress in various medical, economic and social fronts, the care of the transgender individual is still encumbered by the various biases and taboos that people hold. But, this was not true in the antiquity. Hindu mythology holds transgender individuals in a status equal to other genders. This brief review of the various references of transgender individuals in Hindu mythology throws light on the various ways the topic of transsexualism and changing gender was addressed.

Keywords: Hindu, mythology, transgender, Transsexualism In the 21 century in India, people continue to have various beliefs in the mythology that we are steeped in. This is evident even in the clinical practice where family members in an urban metropolis who might support a change of their child’s gender might still come up with questions related to whether the medical practitioners have any knowledge of transgendered individuals from the ancient Indian Epics. A brief review for the astute clinician would enable answer a few questions in this regard going forward.

Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world and is known to use three genders: Masculine, feminine, and gender‑neutral. The concept of “tritiyaprakriti” or “napumsaka” had been an integral part of the Hindu mythology, folklore, epic and early Vedic and Puranic literatures.

The first reference of transgender is the female avatar of Vishnu—Mohini. Literally translated, Mohini means an enchantress. The Mahabharata describes the first appearance of Mohini when the devas and asuras had churned the ocean with the assistance of Vishnu as the Kurma (tortoise) avatar to acquire Amrita (the elixir of immortality). Using her charm, she had to separate the fight between devas and asuras and provide the Amrita to the devas.

Mohini makes a reappearance in the Vishnu purana when she used guile to save Shiva who had just given a boon to Bhasmasura that would incinerate anyone whose head he touches. The origins of Shankara – Narayanan (Hariharan) in the LingaPurana is attributed to the merging of Shiva and Mohini (Vishnu). This story is also associated with the procreation of Shiva and Vishnu resulting in the creation of Ayyappa (who is also referred to as Hariharaputra – son of Shiva and Vishnu).

In the Ramayana, Lord Rama was banished from the kingdom and he was asked to spend 14 years in the forest. His followers followed him to the forest but he requested all the “men and women” to return back to the city of Ayodhya. The transgendered individuals (hijras) stayed back with Lord Rama. Lord Rama was greatly moved by their love and loyalty and sanctioned them the power to confer blessing on auspicious occasions like marriage, child birth, and inaugural functions.

In Mahabharata, Aravan (in Tamil literally the son of a snake), the son of Arjuna and Ulupi (a “snake” princess) was offered to be killed for Goddess Kali to ensure the victory of Pandavas in Kurukshetra war. The only condition was that Aravan should

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