Transgenderism in Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma say ? by Dr. Anita Prasad

1. What does world’s ancient religion
“Hinduism” say about
Transgender ?
WRITTEN BY DR. ANITA PRASAD
KNOWLEDGE UPDATE SERIES
Published on 04.11.2022
Publication Nr. 010

2. MYQUESTIONS
• As a
fi
rst question - to world famous Indian Gurus, Seers and online preachers, let me know how a Transgender is perceived
according to Hinduism ? I did not obtain proper answer from anyone until today. Most out of the lot, escaped to answer my
question or they attempted to answer with extremely limited knowledge to push the topic away from discussions, bringing
something else.
• What does “Sanatana Dharma” (eternal duty of god or oldest following religion in the world) say from the literatures such as
Vedas, Upanishad, Grantha, Purana, Shastra say about the Transgenderism ?
• I also asked these Gurus, Seers and online preachers, please let me know views, do’s and don’s as per Hindu religion what a
Transgender must follow ?
• My other most important question lies - one person who is born in Hinduism, they have a caste and creed, a God dedicated to
them hailing from Aagama Shastra (their arrival on earth as per caste and creed), as per the 33 million God avatar - What
actually happens to these once someone make a transition and gets to throw away from home and society ? Can they
worship Hindu God as per their interest ? Are they allowed to go into Temples which they used to visit as a Child or Adult ? Are
they still belonging to same religion after aligning to their biological sex, just as di
ff
erent gender ?
• What does HIndu Religion say about equality living and how one should perceive a Transgender ?
• What are the “last rites” for the departed soul according to Hinduism who is a Transgender and does their caste and creed
come again to play here when their soul departs to perform their
fi
nal rites ?
Written by Dr. Anita Prasad Page 1

3. HINDUISM
• In Hinduism does not have importance to any gender as such. Hinduism say that one must wake up and see what you are ? You are not just a
body, you are much more than that, you are a soul and you are a spirit, if necessary one has the freedom to explore all possibilities. Identify
yourself with what you are for a comfortable with
• Sanathana Dharma itself is very open and it is the most advanced culture on this planet where one can freely use all capabilities to understand
themselves
• 200 B.C Pathanjal yogai who explained Yoga in detail to the world, claimed 3 natural genders. The third one were those, who were biological
sexes
• This is the only culture on the planet which has a massive history of transgenderism. It dates back many thousands of years B.C era. Across
India, on various temples, many thousands of art and carvings one can see, Gods and Goddesses, engaged in same sex relationship, very open
with sexuality, even embodiments of them are embracing non con
fi
rming gender. One such example to see is Ardhanareeshwara.
• Various times we see Lord Shiva taking form of Ardhanareeshwara roopa and also Lord Vishnu and Lord Lakshmi together as Lakshminarayan
avatar
• Crossdressing between women and men were very common in ancient times, they were balancing their energies by getting into one another
using Tantric Yoga, kama sutra and there were no shame noted or rejection in the society itself
• There are many Gods and Goddesses that many culture worship today were born out of Gay and or Lesbian or other biological sexes.
• Triteeya Prakruti was word used to identify 11 biological sexes. For Transgender, bisexual, pansexual etc and any gender who feels within that
kind of mindset, they just could exchange and experience one another using the possibilities for a perfect harmony and living
• Before British colonization and invasion of Muguals in India, India had a very open accepting frameworks for all biological sexes. Since
invasion and criminalizing biological sexes by introducing article 377 in India, it has brought a di
ff
erent mindset in later generations, actual
hinduism, practices were lost.
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4. HINDUMYTHOLOGY
• Rigveda says - Vikriti evam Prakriti - what seems unnatural is also natural. This dates back to 6000 BCE, making it the
oldest scripts of the world
• According to HIndu Upanishads, it claims oneness of the Universe and individuals
• 5000 B.C from the Ramayana epic, when Lord Rama existed, when he had to leave the palace, he requested all men and
women to depart his court yard, all departed, but he saw a bunch of women standing in his court yard. They were
transgenders. These women were in very good positions in the court of Lord Rama, as well had a wonderful respectful
life We can note harmony existed thousands of years ago and Hinduism had very good acceptance
• Arjuna a personality in Mahabharata epic was a bisexual at many times, he was crossdressing frequently, He even lived
as a woman, named himself as Brihannale. Arjuna was sexually attracted to Lord Krishna too.
• In Mahabharata epic Shikhandi is another character that comes with a big story for the world
• In Mahabharata it is to be noted Lord Srikrishna himself along with his wife Radhe, were crossdressing with each other
to engage in deeper relationships. When they had crossdressed, people were not able to recognize who is Radha and
who is Lord Srikrishna ?
• Aravana , son of Arjuna was unmarried at the time of Mahabharata battle. Aravana was very powerful and could not be
so easily defeated. Lord Srikrishna takes the avatar of a beautiful woman “Mohini” and married him to enable meet his
promise to chop himself into pieces, later kept his head alive, so Aravana according to his wish could watch the battle of
Mahabharata. Since this time, there is a separate religion or culture in India was born and that is called Aravani. In this
culture people practice 18 days ritual to o
ff
er sacri
fi
ce just like Lord Srikrishna
• Lord Shiva engages in sexual relationship with “Mohini” and it is believed Hindu Lord Ayyappa is their child, who later
came to earth. Lord Ayyappa is also known as Hariharan Putra
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5. WHYSOCIETYREJECTS
TRANSGENDERISMININDIA?
• Lack of information about transgenders, misunderstanding and not willing to learn what is transgenderism as
this could be a “sexual” topic and a taboo according to many or these people do not read about transgenders or
the friends or family they live with, who has higher in
fl
uence that other person is governed to act as one family
what that family member dictate.
• Also, some want to practice Hinduism in their own way that Muslim invaders or British Colonial parents taught
younger generation. This generation of people believe that is their way of life. Commonly they use term to say
“chor choke” is very cheap way of addressing a biological sex. This makes situation very complicated and also a
present India is a “Human Rights Problem” because of these mentalities
• Religious following as a man or woman only, religious background only as sex assigned at birth. You see my
questions were not answered by any Guru’s properly until today or they want this topic to come freely, as this
topic can make or bring more people out as transgender. Guru’s or the religious establishments in this situation
will loose themselves out of power
• Because of the begging population, robbery, prostitution carried out by the other cultural and religious sexes
across India, they are perceived to be very low class and not to be discussed any further. Simpler terms, they
are or can’t be equal any given day
• Society with transphobia, homophobia and communal problems within LGBTQAI+ community
• Aristocracy, ego, I am superior factors, stealing away opportunities intentionally destroy transgenders showing
up some inabilities
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6. INCLUSIONINTHESOCIETY
• On the 6th day of September 2018, Honorable Supreme Court of India brought a landmark judgement to “abolish” the
British Rule of Article 377 and upholding human rights and Indian Culture. The British rule which was introduced lived for
a total period of 157 years
• Since 2019 various laws protecting Transgenderism, rejection etc., have come in place and into force. At least I see
India is really on the move and changing to adapt its lost culture of oneness
• On social media these days, Transgenders or LGBTQAI+ can
fi
nd jobs very easily as never before and a good, equal
status in the society with equal pay. I saw many more Indian companies not showing up Rainbow Washing are standing
up to support the inclusion. This is overwhelming
• Worldwide 55 countries today have enforceable laws available for transgenders. Act of rejection by the society, showing
transphobia or inequality attracts serious criminal prosecutions in most of these countries. They are ranked in Wikipedia
under most favoring countries for LGBTQAI+. A total of 148 countries apart from the 55 are are favoring transgenders but
laws are not available yet
• United Nations and Human Rights commission are exploring and working possibilities to bring harmony across the world
by eradication of poverty, ableism, sexism, and all forms of inequality and discrimination.
• Human rights commission along with many non-governmental organizations and governments are working to solve
issues arising out of rejections, they serve notices/warning to Governments and political parties to bring adjustment in
the society. This is happening presently in The United States of America
• Specially trained police personnel are available in many countries today to support Transgenders. India also has some
under LGBTQAI+ support
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7. OBSERVATIONANDPROGRESS
Written by Dr. Anita Prasad Page 6
• Coming back to the
fi
rst slide set of questions, my research shall remain continuous towards
fi
nding
answers, identifying lost practices of Hinduism itself. Literature presented to you in this publication is just a
small piece of data. I have collaborated today with few Universities across India, also collaborating with few
individuals to bring out facts to public in a book format. My e
ff
ort to bring this valuable book shall continue
with immediate e
ff
ect
• Family who have not rejected Transgenders, they are able to
fi
nd a role as male or female that they want to
be in that religion and just adapt the regulations applicable as per their “Aagama Shasta” or their actual
tradition. For other LGBQAI+ this is not a problem as they are not converting in any form, except their life
practices
• Transgenders who gets to be thrown out of their home, they shall get in
fl
uences of other religion or culture
or they get to practice either Aravani or Hijra or any other ancient HIndu Culture and continue their living.
Transgender person here
fi
nds harmony with the society for the living
• If a Transgender person is living within family, they perform their rites and rituals as per their terms, but if
they are living with Hijra culture, they perhaps get to follow Eunuch cremation method
• Inclusion in the society and recognition becomes a very vital role in upholding Hinduism

8. References
[ 1 ] National Library of Medicine 30/06/2020
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7539026/
[ 2 ] Human Rights Campaign, Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Hinduism 01/11/2022
https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-hinduism
[ 3 ] UNAIDS - GAP report 2014 14/03/2014
https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/
fi
les/media_asset/08_Transgenderpeople.pdf
[ 4 ] Crystal Raypoll Healthline Publication 09/22/2021
https://www.healthline.com/health/transphobia#examples
[ 5 ] United Nation Publication 30/08/2022
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/08/united-states-un-expert-warns-lgbt-rights-being-
eroded-urges-stronger
[ 6 ] Stop Trying to out - Science Transphobes 03/03/2021
https://slate.com/technology/2021/03/transphobes-science-trap-basic-human-rights.html
Written by Dr. Anita
Prasad Page 7

9. CONNECT
Written by Dr. Anita Prasad Page 8
https://www.instagram.com/anita_germany/
www.anita-prasad.com
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