Niyoga (Sanskrit: नियोग) was a Hindu practice, primarily followed during the ancient period. It permitted either the husband or the wife who had no child by their spouse to procreate a child with another woman or a man.[1][2]
Literature
Manusmṛti
In the Manusmṛti, niyoga is described in IX.59-63, but the practice is also allowed in IX.64-68. This text (IX.167) describes the child born by niyoga as a kshetraja child of the husband-wife.[3] The practice of niyoga was solely for widows and childless women who chose not to remarry:
"vidhavāyāṁ niyuktastu ghṛtākto vāgyato nisi।
ekaṁ utpādayetputraṁ na dvitīyaṁ kathaṁ cana।।"
(Manusmriti,Chapter 9 Verse 60)[4]
"Meaning: If a widow desires offspring, she may, with the father's consent, engage in niyoga by anointing herself with ghee on her body and should give birth to a son. However, besides one son, she should never produce another."
Therefore, until a critical situation arose, permission for niyoga was not granted. If someone engaged in niyoga against societal norms, they would face social ostracism :
"jyeṣṭho yavīyasō bhāryāṁ yavīyānvāgrajastriyam।
patitau bhavato gatvā niyuktāvapyanāpadi।।"
(Manusmriti,Chapter 9 Verse 58)[5]
"Meaning: Unless there is a crisis, then with the father's consent, if the wives of both older and younger brothers engage in niyoga, they both will share the sin, leading to the degradation of the varna (social order and duties)."
In popular culture
Niyoga is the central issue of Anahat, a Marathi feature film directed by Amol Palekar. It was showcased at the International Film Festival of India 2003.
References
- ↑ Benjamin Walker (2019). Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. Vol. 1. Taylor & Francis. p. 592. ISBN 9780429624650.
The levirate system of the ancient Jews was almost identical with the Hindu custom of niyoga, 'injunction', legalized by Manu
- ↑ Vettam Mani (2015) [1964]. Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 543. ISBN 9788120805972.
- ↑ Bühler, George (1886). "Chapter IX". The Laws of Manu. Sacred Books of the East. Vol. 25.
- ↑ "Manu Smriti , 9:60". aryamantavya.in. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ↑ "Manu Smriti , 9:58". aryamantavya.in. Retrieved 2023-12-14.