Transsexualism in Hindu Mythology

Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2020 May-Jun;24(3):235-236. doi: 10.4103/ijem.IJEM_152_20. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Abstract

In spite of India showing progress in various medical, economic and social fronts, the care of the transgender individual is still encumbered by the various biases and taboos that people hold. But, this was not true in the antiquity. Hindu mythology holds transgender individuals in a status equal to other genders. This brief review of the various references of transgender individuals in Hindu mythology throws light on the various ways the topic of transsexualism and changing gender was addressed.

Keywords: Hindu; Transsexualism; mythology; transgender.