Queer and LGBTQ+ in Ancient

India: Inclusivity vs.

Misinterpretation
Yashada Shinde (MA AIHCA- Sem III)

What is religion and its connection with LGBTQ?

Since i come from a sociology-history background, i have very vehemently been taught
about religion and gender on a huge scale. But that was only from a sociological
perspective. Now pursuing my masters in ancient indian history, I would like to connect
these two with a historical perspective too. To me, religion is like a way, a path which
guides one to connect with something greater than themself—be it a god, the universe,
or a sense of spiritual unity. It is like a guiding force, that during times of uncertainty
provides comfort and hope. It serves as a cultural anchor, preserving rituals and
narratives passed through generations.

As per Emile Durkheim (Sociologist): Religion is "a unified system of beliefs and practices
relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden." What it means is
that, religion is like a special way people believe and act about things they think are very
holy or important. It tells them what is good, what is not allowed, and how to show
respect to these special things. It helps people feel connected to something bigger than
themselves. Émile Durkheim highlights how religion creates collective consciousness,
influencing what is deemed "normal" or "deviant" in a society.

The relationship between religion and LGBTQ+ issues varies across cultures and
religions. For instance:

 Hinduism historically includes stories of fluid genders and sexualities (e.g.,

Ardhanarishvara).
 Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) have more rigid interpretations of
gender and sexuality, but modern reinterpretations are emerging.

Introduction slide
The ancient & Vedic traditions of India had a unique view on gender and sexuality, which
was reflected in its myths, art, and philosophy. Religious texts and characters included
people of the same gender and those who were gender-neutral as important members of
society. This openness is part of what makes India a welcoming place, as many of its
beliefs are more flexible and interconnected.
While ancient India did showcase queer themes, these representations were often more
symbolic and abstract. Such depictions typically emerged in societies that started to
accept LGBTQ+ individuals and their ways of life. However, equality was mostly a
symbolic concept and didn’t play a significant role in everyday life.

Ancient Indian philosophies really highlighted how life is all about change and the idea of
non-dualism, steering clear of strict categories for gender and sexuality. Take Samkhya
philosophy, for example: it talks about Purusha (spirit) and Prakriti (nature) as a way to
show a balance in the universe instead of sticking to rigid gender roles.

Definition

The concept that Judith Butler talks about is the Queer. Judith Butler argues that
queerness shakes up the usual ideas about gender and sexual identity, focusing more on
how we perform these roles instead of fitting into strict categories.
Diana Eck contributes her thoughts to the theory of Inclusivity in Religion. Diana Eck
describes 'inclusiveness' in religion as recognizing and valuing the Other (the other here
means the queer) while broadening the boundaries of a religious tradition. A great
example of this can be found in Indian art with the figure of Ardhanarishvara.

According to Ruth Vanita and Saleem Kidwai, hijras are acknowledged as a third gender
in South Asia, taking on cultural and religious roles that have been part of Indian society
for a long time.

Queer themes in Indian history

Throughout history, we have been continuously hearing or reading examples of dual

nature depicted in our culture. Ardhanarishvara represents the fusion of Shiva and
Parvati, symbolizing a genderless form that transcends the traditional boundaries of
male and female. Mohini embodies gender fluidity and challenges heterosexual norms,
with stories like the union of Shiva and Mohini leading to the birth of Ayyappa. In the
Mahabharata, Shikhandi is recognized as a transgender figure, further exploring his role
in achieving a divine purpose and contributing to the conversation around gender
studies in epic narratives. Again in Mahabharat, due to Urvashi’s curse, Arjuna had to
transform as a eunuch for a year. Arjuna's role as Brihannala serves as a powerful
example of gender diversity and fluidity in ancient Indian texts.

Religious practices and art

While researching for this presentation, I've looked into how religion and temples show
acceptance of queer identities. One of the deities honored by hijras is Bahuchara Mata,
and the inclusion of hijras as a third gender in religious practices gives legitimacy to their
role. Bahuchara Mata is said to have blessed or cursed men to become hijras if they
failed to adhere to vows of chastity or respect for women. This narrative connects hijras
to the divine and grants them spiritual authority. Hijras often perform rituals, especially
blessings for childbirth or weddings, as intermediaries or mediums, believed to carry
divine power. In Hindu traditions, hijras used to bless fertility and childbirth before they
faced discrimination. The erotic sculptures found at the Khajuraho and Konark temples
suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are not just rare cases but rather a normal
part of human relationships. It wasn’t like our ancestors just one day woke up and
decided to create sculptures and art based on queerness just for aesthetics, right? This
means that this concept has existed from the dawn of history.

Literary & philosophical traditions

Philosophies prove that, on the whole, people have a rather tolerant attitude towards
gender and sexual orientation. We can observe this in Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra. The
Kamasutra, written by Vatsyayana around the 4th century CE, is a detailed exploration of
human relationships, sexuality, and various life aspects. It touches on queer
relationships and behaviors, highlighting a recognition of different sexual orientations
and gender identities. In particular:

Chapter VIII of Part II, called "About Females Acting the Part of Males," delves into same-
sex relationships among women, where they take on roles typically linked to men during
sexual practices.

Chapter IX discusses oral-genital contact and other practices that could involve queer
relationships. These mentions are presented without moral judgment, reflecting a
broader understanding of love and desire, showcasing the text's inclusive take on
sexuality. The Kamasutra shows that India has been open to different sexualities. While
it’s mainly a guide for wealthy men about sex, we can think of it as a book that promotes
inclusivity in society.
Our very own Upanishads also mention this topic very vividly. The Katha Upanishad
(2.3.8) teaches that the self is beyond birth, death, and bodily limitations: “The self is
not born, nor does it die. It is eternal and beyond time.” This view emphasizes the
irrelevance of physical characteristics, such as sex or gender, in defining one's essence.
It aligns with the idea that identity is a matter of internal realization rather than external
attributes.
In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.3), it is said that in the beginning, the ultimate
reality (brahman) was androgynous or a composite of both masculine and feminine. It
divided itself to create diversity. This is symbolic of the unity of opposites and the
interconnectedness of gendered identities.
The Chandogya Upanishad (8.7.1) discusses the concept of the self (atman) as beyond
physical form, gender, or other limitations. This aligns with the idea that one's true self is
not defined by their physical gender or societal labels, resonating with non-binary and
transgender perspectives.

Colonial impact and modern perspectives

A lot of Victorian England's Anglo rules were forced onto India, including harsh sexual
laws like Section 377, which criminalized homosexuality and clashed with India's
historical acceptance of gender and sexual diversity. The legalization of homosexuality in
2018 was a way to reconnect with this legacy. It highlights how pre-colonial India's
characteristics contributed to society's struggle to accept queer individuals. The level of
exclusion wasn't just a colonial issue; it also reflected the community's own standards at
the time.

I hereby conclude my presentation by saying that

The culture of ancient India is given to us in a very graphical description and religious
practices. These practices involved the acceptance of multiple genders and sexual
forms. It will indeed help the today’s India to deal with such prejudice and regain the
face of India that was secular and progressive, if we understand that these concepts
have already existed in history and literature since ancient times.