Social History of Early Hindu India

A major portion of ancient Indian history is not at all history. It is not to say that ancient India was without its history but that part of history has become very much distorted. It has been given the shape of mythological tales for the amusement. It seems that Brahminical writers have done this distortion deliberately. Take the word ‘Dev’. What does it means? Has it been used for a member of the human family? No, it has been distorted to mean some imaginary supernatural power.

Alongwith the word ‘Dev’, there is mention of ‘Yaksha’, ‘Gana’, ‘Kinnar’ and ‘Gandharav’ also. Who were they? On going through the ‘Ramayana’ and the ‘Mahabharata’, one forms an impression that they were imaginary creatures who did not have any real existence in history. But they have ‘Yaksha’, ‘Gandharav’, ‘Kinnar’, ‘Gana’ - were very much members of the human family who served the Brahmins (Devas). The ‘Yakshas’ guarded the palaces. The ‘Ganas’ were bodyguards of the ‘Devas’ The ‘Gandharavas’ entertained them with singing and dancing. The ‘Kinnars’ too served them. Their descendants are still found in Himachal Pradesh.

Now take the word ‘Asur’. From the manner in which this word has been used in the ‘Ramayana’ and the ‘Mahabharata’, it appears as if they were living in a world devoid of human habitation. The ‘Asurs’ have been described as creatures who could eat ten cart-loads of food and were of the size of demons. They slept for six months at a stretch. They had ten heads or mouths. Who were ‘Rakshasas’? They too have been described as inhuman creatures. In size, eating capacity and habits, they were similar to the ‘Asurs’.

‘Nags’ too have been frequently mentioned. But who were they? The ‘Nag’ has been described as a species of snakes. Can this be true? Whether or not it is true, the Hindus believe it. The history of ancient India should be uncovered and revealed. If this is not done, ancient India will remain bereft of its history. Naturally, with the help of Buddhist literature, ancient history can be excavated out of the debris under which it had been senselessly kept buried by the Brahminical writers.  Buddhist literature tells us that the ‘Devs’ were also part of the human family. Some ‘Devs’ came to Lord Buddha for the resolution of their doubts. If the ‘Devs’ were not human beings, how could this be possible? Besides, authenticated Buddhist literature throws ample light on the ‘Nags’. It tells you about the difference between the ‘Nag’ born out of egg, and the ‘naag’ born from the womb and thus illustrates that the word ‘Nag’ has two meaning. Basically the word has been used for members of the human family.

Besides, the ‘Asurs’ were also not ‘Rakhashas’. They were also a class of human beings. According to Shatpath Brahmin, ‘asurs’ were the descendants of Prajapati, the creator of the world. Then how did they become the messenger of hell? This is not known. But this fact has been found recorded that they fought against the gods in order to establish their rule over the earth. The gods were finally triumphant and ‘Asurs’ had to surrender to them. It is quite evident that the ‘Asurs’ were not demons, but were members of the human family. Out of the debris of the past we can see ancient Indian history in a new light.

Social Conditions

In early Hindu time, the family system of the society was socially, religiously and spiritually drowned in the worst kind of sensual enjoyment and carnal pleasures.

Gambling: While referring to some social evils, attention may be drawn towards the evil of gambling, besides given to drinking, they were addicted to gambling also on a large scale. Every ruler had a separate gambling pavillion. Every Raja employed an expert gambler in his court who assisted him at the time of gambling. An expert gambler like ‘Kunk’ was employed in the court of Emperor ‘Virat’. Gambling was not merely a source of entertainment for kings and princes; they played for high stakes. They staked their kingdoms, bodyguards, relatives, slaves, sisters and wives etc. while gambling. Raja ‘Nal’ while gambling with ‘Pushkar’, lost everything he had. He had saved only his own person and wife. He had to live like a beggar in the jungle. Other rulers surpassed even Raja ‘Nal’. From the ‘Mahabharata’ we learn that Dharamputar ‘Yudhistra’, the eldest of the ‘Pandava’ brothers, put at stake his younger brothers and even ‘Daropadi’ and lost them. Gambling was a mark of prestige for the people of that age. Dharamputar ‘Yudhistra’s’ gambling led to unfortunate consequences. He had been forewarned too. His excuse was that he had received an invitation for gambling and being a man of status, he could not say no to it.

Drinking: The second social evil was that of drinking alcohol which used to be of two kinds - ‘Somras’ and ‘Sura’, ‘Somras’ was used at ‘yagyas’ Initially, Brahmins, Kashatriyas and Vaishas were permitted to drink ‘Somras’. Later, only Brahmins and Kashatriyas were allowed to drink it, and the Vaishas were debarred from partaking of it. The ‘Shudras’ were not even permitted to touch ‘Somras’. There was a secret method of preparing ‘Somras’ which was known only to the Brahmins. Everybody, including the Brahmins, was permitted to have ‘Sura’. Once ‘Shukracharya’, the ‘Purohit’ of the ‘Asurs’ drank so much that in the drunken state he revealed the ‘Mrit Sanjivani’ mantra (chant which could revive a dead person), and which was known only to him and which he used for reviving ‘Asurs’ who got killed. He hold this ‘chant’ to ‘Kach’ son of ‘Brahspati’, who was the ‘Purohit’ of the ‘Devas’. There is a story in the Mahabharata how, once, ‘Krishan’ and ‘Arjun’ got heavily drunk. This shows that in Hindu society, the leaders not only took alcohol, but also drank heavily. The most shameful feature was that even Hindu women were addicted to drinking. For example, Emperor ‘Virat’s’ wife ‘Sudeshna’ said to her maid, ‘‘Bring ‘Sura’ (alcohol) from ‘Keechak’s’ palace for I am dying for it.’’ This does not mean that only queens and princesses were addicted to drinking. Drinking was quite common among women of all classes of society, and even Brahmin women were not free from the shackles of this social evil. Hindu women drank and danced. This becomes clear from ‘Kausitki Greh Sutra’ (1, 11-12), which says : “Women from four to eight high families, after drinking and feasting, shall dance four times on the night preceding the wedding day.” The condition of women of lower castes was still worse. In 7th and 8th centuries, women of the central regions of ‘Arya Vrat’ used to drink wine. This is evident from ‘Kumaril Bhatt’s’ ‘Tantar Vartika’ (1, 3-4) in which it is stated that “in the modern times we see that Brahmin women of ‘Ahachatter’ and ‘Mathura’ are addicted to drinking.” ‘Kumaril’ has criticised only Brahmin women for being addicted to drinking. He has not criticised  ‘Kashatriya’ and ‘Vaish’ women for drinking.

Sexuality: The present descendants of the Brahmans will naturally feel shocked to know about the immorality of their ancestors. Sexual and marital relations among the Brahmans were not regulated by the present-day strict rules. According to Brahminical religious scriptures, ‘Brahma’ is the creator of the universe. ‘Brahma’ has three sons and a daughter. One of his sons, ‘Dakshak’ married his own sister. Some of the daughters born to them married ‘Kashyap’, who was the son of ‘Mareech’ and the grandson of ‘Brahma’, while others married ‘Dharam’, the third son of ‘Brahma’.

There is a story in the ‘Rig Veda’ that ‘Yama’ and ‘Yami’ were brother and sister. According to this story, ‘Yami’ invites her brother ‘Yama’ to have sexual intercourse with her and on the latter’s refusal to oblige her, she becomes angry. The father could marry his own daughter. ‘Vashisht’ married his daughter ‘Shatrupa’ when she became a widow. ‘Mannu’ married his daugther ‘Illa’. ‘Jehnoo’ married his daughter ‘Jahnvi’. ‘Suraj’ married his daughter ‘Usha’. Polyandry was a prevalent practice in the Hindu society, which was not of an ordinary type. According to the polyandry found among the Brahmins, various persons of the same family have sexual relations with one and more women. ‘Dhanprechatni’and his son had sex with ‘Marisha’ (Som’s daughter).

Instances of a grandfather marrying his granddaughter were also there ‘Dakshak’ gave his daughter in marriage to his father ‘Brahma’ from whom was born ‘Narad’, the famous Brahmin. ‘Dohitar’ gave his 27 daughters to his father ‘Som’ for copulation in order to produce children. There was no ban on Hindu women having sex in the open in full view of the public. The ‘Rishis’ (saints and sages) used to perform a religious function, called ‘Vaamdeviya Varat’ on the ‘Yagya bhoomi’ (place for performing a sacrificial ritual). If a woman came there and expressed her desire to have sex with the ‘Rishi’(sage), the latter has to oblige her and have sexual intercourse with her there and then in full public view. Many examples can be cited in this connection. Take the case of ‘Rishi Prashar’. He too has sex with ‘Satyawati’ in this manner. The existence of the word ‘Ayouni’ shows that this practice was quite prevalent.

‘Ayouni’ means to become pregnant in a guiltless manner. But this is not the original meaning of the word. ‘Ayouni’ means outside the house, that is becoming pregnant in an open place. Both ‘Sita’ and ‘Daropadi’ were ‘Ayouniyas’. This fact shows that it was not considered wrong to have sex in the the open and give birth to children thus. Later, a religious edict has to be issued to do away with this practice. This also shows that it was quite common. Among the Brahmin women, there was another practice, that of renting out women for a fixed period of time. The case of ‘Madhvi’ can be cited in this context. Raja ‘Yayait’ had gifted his daughter ‘Madhvi’ to his Guru ‘Galav’. ‘Galav’ rented her out to three different Rajas at different times. Thereafter, he married her off to ‘Vishwamittar’. ‘Madhvi’ remained with him till she gave birth to a son. Then ‘Galav’ took her back and returned her to her father Raja ‘Yayait’.

Besides the practice of renting out women for short periods, there was another practice also prevalent among the Hindus that of having sex with the ablest men. Among the Hindus, there was a class called ‘Devs’, who were considered superior in strength and status. With the object of having good children, the Hindus permitted women to have sex with any man of the ‘Dev’ class. This practice was so prevalent that the ‘Devs’ started considering it their right to have sex with any Hindu woman. No Hindu woman could be married off until she was freed from the bondage of the ‘Devs’. Technically, it was called ‘Avdaan’. ‘Laaj Hom’ function was performed at every Hindu marriage. Its description is found in ‘Ash-valayan Greh Sutar’. ‘Laaj Hom’ is a symbol of freeing an Hindu woman from the ‘Dev’s’ right to have a foretaste of sex with her. In ‘Laaj Hom’ function, ‘Avadaan’ is a ceremony which announces the end of the ‘Dev’s’ cohabitation right on a woman. ‘Sapatpadi’ is the most important rite of all Hindu marriages, without which a Hindu marriage is not recognised legally. ‘Sapatipadi’ is intimately connected with the ‘Dev’s’, right to have a foretaste of sex with an Hindu woman. ‘Sapatpadi’ means the bridegroom’s taking seven steps with his bride. Why is it necessary? The answer is that if the ‘Dev’ is unhappy and dissatisfied, he can make his claim over the bride before the seventh step. After the seventh step (round) the ‘Dev’s’ right over the couple comes to an end and the couple can live as husband and wife. After this, the ‘Devs’can neither create any hurdles nor interfere with the marriage.

Any woman could have sex with a man without marrying him and could have children also from him. The root meaning of word ‘Kanya’ is ‘Kaam’, which means that the girl is free to have sex with any man. We have the example of ‘Kunti’ and ‘Matsyagandha’. They offered themselves to men without marring them formally and gave birth to children. Before marrying ‘Pandu’, ‘Kunti’ has sex with different men and produced children. ‘Matsyagandha’, before marrying ‘Bhisham’s’ father ‘Shantnu’, has sexual intercourse with Sage ‘Prashar’. Having sex with animals was also prevalent among the Hindus. The story of Sage ‘Kindam’s’ masturbation with a doe is known to everybody. Another instance is of ‘Surja’s’ masturbation with a mare.

Reference and Glossary

1. For further readings consult, Complete works of Dr. Ambedkar, Dr. Ambedkar

    Foundation, Ministry of Welfare, Govt. of India New Delhi. 

2. John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Morrison  

    and Gibb ltd., London. 

3. Bharti Lok Neech Kevee Bane. 

4. Hindusim Dharam Ik Kalank. 

5. Hindusatan Harron Kee Dastaan. 

6. Veronica Ions, Indian Mythology, Hamlin press, Yugoslavia, 1988. 

7. Wandy Donicer, Sexual metaphor and animal symbols in Indian Mythology, Motilal

    Banarsidas, Delhi, 1981

Ahachatter: A city mentioned in the Mahabharata lying north of the Ganges. 

Arjun: The third Pandvas prince, Arjun father is Indra (King of Heaven according to Hindu Mythology) not Pandu. 

Arya Vrat: The land of Aryans. The tract between Himalayas and Vindhyachal ranges. 

Asur: Goblins or evil spirits, they are also the sons of Brahmins and made by Prajapti. 

Bhisham’s: Son of King Santnu by river Goddess Ganga.  

Brahma: Brahma is the member of the Hindu triad. Acc. to Hindu mythology he is the creator of the Universe.  

Brahmin/Brahman: First and top most class in Hindu varna of Hindu society, the sacramental and learned class. Brahmin is priests/Rishis/sages or not necessarily.

Brahspati: Rishi in late times, He is also regret of the planet Jupiter.

Daropadi: Daughter of Raja Daropda King of Panchala, wife of five Pandvas, all pandvas share her in days wise life, in means 2 day she with one 2 with one etc. Pandvas. 

Dhanprechatni: A king in Ancient India. 

Galav: A celebrated Rishi and son of Vishamittar. Yayait not provided him horses so he provided him his daughter ad gift. After using for sexuality he returned it.

Jahnvi: The Goddess of the Ganges River. 

Jehnoo: A celebrated Rishi descended from the pururanvas. 

Kacha: A son of Brahspati, according to the Mahabharta he became a disciple of Sukra, the priest of Asur. 

Kashitryia: Second class in Hindu varna of Hindu society, the regal and warrior class. 

Kausitki Greh Sutra: A Sakha of Rigveda means a verse in Rigveda. 

Krishna: The Modern Hindu deity Krishna is the most celebrated hero of Indian Mythology and most popular of all deities. Eighth Avtra of Visnu( the Hindu God) or rather a direct manifestation of Visnu himself. 

Kumaril Bhatt’s:  A celebrated teacher of Mimmansa philosophy one of the six system of Indian philosophy. 

Kunti: Daughter of Yadva prince Sura and sister of Mythical God Krishna’s Father, she gave birth  to the child without marriage, all children coming from the Kunti’s womb are not the child of Pandu, they are different Devas child. 

Madhvi: Daughter of King Yayait, Yayait presented her to Rishi Galav. 

Mahabharata: The great epic poem of the Hindus, Mahabharta is story type poem in which the greatest war in the history of ancient India is define. 

Mannu: A celebrated Rishi and writer of Law books of Hindus, the code of Mannu. 

Marisha: Daughter of Rishi Som and wife of Prachetasas. She is unmarried wife of many children’s. 

Mathura: A city on the right bank of Yamuna, Hindus seems to may be the birth place of mythical God Krishna. 

Matsyagandha: Goddess river of Ganges 

Nal: King of Nishadha and husband of Damaynti, the story of Nal and Damayanti is popular in epic episode of Mahabharata. 

Narad: Son of Mythical God Brahma, his mother is Kasyapa and marries his own grandfather Brahma from where the Narad born. 

Pandava: Sons of Pandu raja and Kunti, but in the real Pandu is not the father of Pandvas. 

Pandu: Brother of Dhitrastra , king of Hastinapur and father of five pandas, but not real father. 

Prajapati: Lord of creation or progenitor in Hindu Religion. This name is given to many Rishis, Brahma, Indra etc.  

Priest: A teacher of sect or class, or a person who take care of temples. 

Purohit: A priest, of Hindu society or teacher or Rishi.       

Pushkar: Brother of Raja Nal, to whom Raja Nal lost his whole Kingdom. 

Rakshasas: Same as Asur. 

Ramayana: The oldest of the Sanskrit epic poems, written by Rishi Valamiki. In this Mythic God Rama fight with Raksahas king Ravana. 

Rigveda: First Veda, one of the four Vedas. 

Rishi: The priest classes of that person perform rituals and rites of Hindu society for. 

Rishi Prashar: A celebrated Rishi, Father of Rishi Vaysya by without marriage with his mother Satyawati, he was also the writer of Dharmsastars(Hindu Scriptures) and Vedas. 

Satyawati : She was mother of Vasaya Rishi , wife of king Santnu and grandmother of Kaurvas and Pandavs 

Shantnu: A king of lunar race of Hinduism. 

Shatpath Brahmin: A celebrated Brahman attached to the white Yajur-Veda. 

Shudra: Fouth class in Hindu Varna of Hindu Society, whose duty is to serve the other three classes. 

Sita: Daughter of raja Janaka and wife of mythical King Rama, as Janaka she coming from the field not from the womb. 

Somras: It is type of milky liquor, from the Aslepias acida plant, extracted and fermented, forming a beverage offered in libations to the deities, and drunk by the Brahmans. 

Sudhesna: wife of Raja Virat, the patron of the disguised Pandvas and mistress of Durapdi. 

Sukarcharya: Priest of Asur class. 

Sura: Wine or Liquor, personified as Suradevi, a goddess or nymph produced at the chruing of the ocean. 

Suraj: A God called Sun, A chief deities in Vedas. 

Vaisya: Thrid class in Hindu varna of Hindu society, Trading and Agricultural class. 

Vashisht: A celebrated Rishi who is the teacher of Mythical God Rama. 

Vedas: A mythical Hindu scriptures. 

Virat: King of Virat kingdom, it was at his court that the Pandvas prince and Drupdi lived in disguise. 

Vishwamittar: A celebrated Rishi of Hindus 

Yagya bhoomi: Where the rituals of Yagas is taking place. Bhoomi is place. 

Yagyas: Where the Hindu priest, perform their rituals, with fire and other materials. 

Yama: In the Vedas Yama is the God of death 

Yami: The Goddess of the Yummna River. 

Yayait: The fifth king of lunar race, and son of Nahusha. 

Yudhistra: First son of Pandu raja.