Hindu Mythology and Accepting Non-Conformity Part 2

Padma (she/her)

As a sequel to a previous article of mine, Hindu Mythology and Accepting Non-Conformity, I wanted to expand on ideas of Hinduism, LGBTQ+ themes, and non-conformity by highlighting another Hindu deity: Vishnu. ​

Vishnu is one of the main three deities in Hinduism; his role is to protect the universe alongside Brahma (the creator) and Shiva (the destroyer). In Hindu mythology, Vishnu plays a major role in sacred texts and takes on many forms (called avataras--where we get the English word avatar), from a small child to a man-beast to a turtle. Each of these avataras has a story or stories associated with them, where Vishnu will typically teach a lesson by performing a type of good deed or sacrifice. 

The story I will highlight is that of his female avatara, Mohini, and her relationship with Aravan. 

The Story of Aravan and Mohini

The Mahabharat, a 1.8-million-word epic, chronicles an infamous war in Hindu literature. The conflict happens between two sets of cousins: the Kaurava brothers and the Pandava brothers, who are typically seen as the “good guys” (though a further reading might suggest a more nuanced interpretation). Aravan is the son of Arjuna (a Pandava), who grew up away from his father near the Ganga River. Taking after Arjuna, the most skilled archer in the land, Aravan, too, became a great warrior. 

When Aravan finally met his father, Arjuna asked for his help in the ongoing war. A sacrifice of a warrior had to be performed to ensure victory for the Pandavas. Aravan agreed to be the sacrifice needed for victory, but before continuing with his sacrifice, he had a request. He wanted to be married before his death. 

To fulfill his request, Lord Krishna (himself a form of Lord Vishnu) turned into his only female avatara, Mohini, and agreed to marry Aravan. The marriage and sacrificial ceremony were performed, and (along with many other twists), the Pandavas won the war. 

Aravan (and Mohini) is honored because of his self-sacrifice, which helped the Pandavas win the war. He is celebrated today in South India, with transgender communities specifically honoring him and re-creating the story during his dedicated festival, Koovagam.

Once again, an ancient Hindu epic portrays themes of gender and sexuality. One of the three main Gods presents fluidity, be it in sexuality or gender identity, and this act is not only accepted but honored. 
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To me, this story shows that, if God can navigate between forms and be celebrated, then so can we. We need not be so rigid in structure, but rather in our values. Our acts are far more important than our forms.