Every time there is talk of equal rights for the LGBTQ in this country, there is opposition from various quarters. While Muslim and Christian clerics create a hue and cry, clinging to specific sections in their holy books that outlaw homosexuality, there are their Hindutva-wadi friends and right-wing conservatives who bemoan the hurt such equality and progressive acceptance will cause to the Indian culture.

Well, this one’s to prove that Hindutva may be regressive and non-inclusive but Hinduism is not

This is not to say that Islam, Christianity or any other religion practiced across the sub-continent is inferior to Hinduism in stature or is un-indian. But the fact that Hinduism has been practiced for far longer than its brethren and the sheer diversity and inclusiveness it shows makes it the ideal base to explore Indian-ness or the Indian-culture.

Lord Vishnu in Mohini avatar | source: mahalasa.org

The fact the our mythology and sacred texts are scattered with stories, fables and legends of people and instances where not just mere humans but deities, demons and gods themselves have engaged in homosexual, inter-gender and transgender behavior. These instances are proof of the inclusiveness of the religion and also show the non-discriminative nature of ancient India is something Indians like me see as a bragging right!

Let us step into mythology first and go all the way back to beginning of creation

Hinduism has many different schools which believe in different legends pertaining to the origin of the universe. While many believe Vishnu as the first god and the source, many see Shiva and Shakti as the origin. Amidst them is the school of thought which worships Lord Ardhanareeshwara as the procreator and source of the universe.

an image of lord Ardhanareeshwara who is half Shiva and half Shakti | source: hindu devotional blog

This incarnation or deity is transgender in true sense and is represented as half-Shiva and half-Shakti. The true glory of the form is that it celebrates gender equality in true sense while showing that creation and divinity is gender-neutral. If we can worship a god who is neither a man or woman, why are we being averse to our fellow humans who do not fall into these gender definitions?

Moving on we come to the samudra-manthan saga where the nectar of immortality (Amrit) was churned out of the sea of life. When the Devas wanted to cheat the Asuras (not so godly eh!) and refused to share the nectar with them, it was Lord Vishnu, who transformed into the majestically beautiful Mohini to distract the asuras and steal the nectar only for the gods. This shows that even the gods do not see gender as deterrent can chose a different gender to see ends to their divine means.

Vishnu again took the Mohini form to save the creation from destruction. This time he did to entice Shiva. Mohini was so beautiful that even the usually reserved Shiva – a complete yogi who strays away from all material pleasures – is smitten by her. He courts her and their union becomes the god Harihara. Their child then proceeds to defeat the evil that has taken over the world as Lord Ayyappa or Dharmasastha.

Vishnu has manifested into Mohini many a times in the Puranas

And some versions even state that Ayyappa is the male form of Shakti.

In the Mahabharata there are various episodes which have a pro-LGBTQ tinge to them. The most prominent being the case of Shikhandi. Shikhandi was the rebirth of Amba – a princess who was hurt by Bheeshma’s action and vowed revenge – and ultimately becomes the cause of Bheeshma’s demise. Various versions show Shikhandi as an intergender, transgender, eunuch or a man who was born a woman.

But the fact that he fought in the great war alongside his father Drupad and brother’s-in-law Pandavas showcases the acceptance of such people in those ancient times.

Arjuna as Brihanala | source: findmessages.com

Also in the epic is Arjuna spending time during the ‘Agyatvas’ as Bhrihanala – a eunuch and Lord Krishna taking the Mohini form to marry Arjuna’s son Aravana. Aravana is now the patron deity for Eunuch clan from south.

Aravana

We Shared Aravana's Story With You Earlier

Apart from these there are numerous other minor episodes of homosexuality and trans-sexuality that appear in our epics. Did you know that Lord Krishna’s entire clan was wiped out from the world after his son Samba received a curse for pretending to be a pregnant woman and mocking sages?

These are not the only references of the LGBTQ themes but these are very prominent.

The fact that these episodes find a place among our sacred texts and the fact that many of temples are home to sculptures and artistic depictions of homo-erotic scenes tell us how tolerant Hinduism and Hindus of the older times were. If we reject these symbols as signs of our ancient heritage of acceptance, what difference is between us and Taliban or ISIS who reject their heritage and destroy monuments based on new-found outrage?

A carving at Khajuraho temple | source: Wikimedia

Then why are we bickering over giving equal rights and acceptance to our fellow Indians of the third gender?

Abrahamic faiths may have to find their own path through the embedded homophobia that was prevalent in the times of their origins in the regions where they began. But India as a nation should rise above such discrimination. Instead of calling the LGBTQ a parasitic invasion of the other cultures on us, it’s time we embrace them like our forefathers did in times when divinity and magic flowed freely this side of the Himalayas!