What Do Vedas Say About Homosexuality?

[Spartan]

In modern times, there has been much controversy concerning the position and rights of gay and other third-gender groups within society. Should they be feared and eliminated as a harmful, corruptive force? Should they be ignored and hidden away? Or should they be welcomed as simply another colour of human variety? The answer to these questions can be found in some mythological mentions and ancient Vedic literatures. Let’s explore…

[Spartan]

Most of the debate on homosexuality within Hinduism is centered on these three teachings, and how proponents and opponents of homosexuality interpret these teachings. Opponents of homosexuality argue that: Romantic love is only natural between a man and a woman, and it is impossible for two men or two women to experience the same form of love.

[Spartan]

Since romantic love is only possible between a man and a woman, sex between two men or two women can only be the product of lust, and lust is wrong; therefore homosexual activities are wrong. One of the three functions of marriage is Prajaa, the progeny for perpetuation of one's family. A homosexual couple cannot procreate, and thus cannot be married. Premarital and extramarital sex is wrong, and because homosexuals cannot marry, they should not engage in sexual relationships.

[Spartan]

Nowhere in the Hindu sacred texts is romantic love excluded to all but a man and woman, so there are no religious grounds to make a statement to the contrary. Since homosexuals can experience romantic love, homosexual sexual relationships are not all the product of lust. The three functions of marriage are given in the Dharma Shastras, books that are not binding to Hindus, and thus Prajaa is not a determining factor in Hindu marriages.

[Spartan]

Even if the three functions of marriage were binding in terms of marriages, Prajaa may be interpreted in a number of ways that do not involve procreation at all. Thus homosexuals should be allowed to marry. Sexual expression within a loving relationship is encouraged by Hinduism because it is not an expression of lust, but an expression of love and devotion to each others' happiness. Therefore, homosexuals in loving relationships (i.e. marriage) should be allowed to express their love sexually.

[Spartan]

Within the Srimad Bhagavatam there are a few lines (Canto 3, Ch.20 Text 23, 24 & 26) that describe Brahma's creation of a group of demons that became obsessed with sex and demanded sex from him, but then he became frightened and ran away from them. Opponents of homosexuality believe this proves that homosexual behaviour is lustful and evil. Proponents of homosexuality argue that the demons were the children of Brahma, and that this story teaches that incest is lustful and evil

[kiladi bullodu]

Cool

[Spartan]

Shiva is often represented as Ardhanarisvara, with a dual male and female nature. In many Hindu mytho tales, stories of gods and mortals changing gender occur. Sometimes they also engage in heterosexual activities as different reincarnated genders. Homosexuals and transgenders commonly identify with and worship the various Hindu deities connected with gender diversity such as Ardhanarisvara (the hermaphrodite form of Shiva); Aravan (a hero whom Krishna married after becoming a woman); Ayyappa (god born from the union of Shiva and Mohini - female incarnation of Vishnu).

[Spartan]

More such deities are Bahuchara-devi (a goddess connected with transsexuality and eunuchism); Bhagavati-devi (a Hindu goddess associated with crossdressing); Bhagiratha Maharaja (an Indian king born of two female parents); Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (an incarnation of Radha and Krishna combined); Chandi-Chamunda (twin warrior goddesses); Gadadhara (an incarnation of Radha in male form); Gangamma-devi (a goddess connected with crossdressing and disguises); Harihara (Shiva and Vishnu combined); Kartikeya; Vallabhavardhana, Yellamma-devi and countless others

[Spartan]

There are also specific festivals connected to the worship of such gender-variant deities, some of which are famous in India for their crossdressing devotees. These festivals include the Aravan Festival of Tamil Nadu, the Ayyappa and Chamaya-Villaku Festivals of Kerala, the Bahucara-mata Festivals of Gujarat and the Yellamma-devi Festivals of Karnataka, among others.

[Spartan]

Even though there is no specific mention of homosexuality, Hinduism recognizes people showing the signs of both sexes. The terminology used for such person is tritiya prakriti, literally third nature. The third gender is the common term for human being that is between a man and woman. India, the country with highest Hindu population in the world, does not officially recognize the third gender, except in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

[Spartan]

In India, the followers of Radha-Krishna worshiping cult believe that everyone on earth is a woman and only Lord Krishna is a man. Based on their belief, the male devotes dress as a woman. Nepal, the country with world’s second largest Hindu population, officially recognizes the third gender. Nepali definition of third gender includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

[Spartan]

Hindu religion also has a deity in third gender form. He/she is called Ardhanarishwar, literally half-male and half-female God. Ardhanarishwar, the hermaphrodite deity in Hinduism, has left part as a female and right part as a male. Ardhanarishwor is an androgynous form of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. Ardhanarishwar is believed to be neither Shiva nor Parvati, but the God and Goddess in unison.

[Spartan]

Yellamma, the deity of the fallen, is a local deity in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu, worshiped by the third genders. Yellamma is believed be the transgender form of Arjuna. In his third gender form, Arjuna is called Brihanla, and Yellamma is a local name for Brihanla. The Temple of Yellamma is dedicated to third gender form of Arjuna. As Brihanla, Arjuna spent his time teaching dance and music, therefore most of the third genders in India earn their living by dancing and singing.

[Spartan]

Hindu Scriptures Purna also mentions about alternate genders. According to Mastya Purana, Ill, also called Illa, was a son of King Manu. However, he changed into a woman because of a curse from Goddess Parvati. Every month his gender changed, as a man he was called Ill and as a woman she was called Illa.