Bhagavatam Narration and the Third Gender

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Dear Friends,

 

It is a common misconception among many that the Bhagavatam narration

of the third canto (chapter 20) is referring to gay and lesbian

people of the third gender. These verses and purports are then taken

out of context in order to demonize, exclude and project hatred upon

such persons. It is very unfair to misuse the shastras in this way.

 

"Sometimes, in the absence of women, heterosexual men forcibly engage

in homosexual rape with other men. This is forbidden activity

according to the Vedas. In the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.20) it is

narrated that at the beginning of the universe Lord Brahma generated

the godless class of men from his buttocks, and that they then

forcibly approached him for sex. To appease them, he created

twilight in the form of a beautiful woman who completely captivated

their lusty desires. THIS POINT OF THE STORY IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE

BECAUSE IT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THAT THE DEMONS WERE NOT MEMBERS OF

THE THIRD SEX (in other words, they were not gay males

or "homosexuals"). This type of apparent homosexual behavior between

first gender males, as seen in prisons for instance where there are

no females available, is considered 'demoniac and is not for any sane

male in the ordinary course of life.' It should not be confused with

the natural homosexuality described in the Kama Shastra and practiced

by people belonging to the third gender, acting according to their

nature and with affection."

 

"Scriptural narrations such as the ones mentioned above have been

written to discourage unrestricted and unnatural behavior amongst

heterosexual males (pumsaka). They should not be mistranslated or

quoted out of context in order to vilify and condemn members of the

third sex. Gay males, specifically known in Sanskrit as napumsaka

or 'not male', were considered to be gentle and non-aggressive by

nature. They were not classified amongst heterosexual men of the

first gender, and they were not expected or forced by law to behave

as ordinary males under the Vedic social system."

 

"Tritiya-prakriti: People of the third Sex"

http://www.geocities/galva108

 

Thank you very much for your kind attention. Please to not use the

scriptures to promote hatred and discrimination. We are all God's

children. Hare Krishna!

 

-Amara dasa