Due to the strict restrictions and regulations one feature arose that is
apparently more common in Hindu society than in any other part of the world:
incest. References to this practice abound. Often the girls were unwilling, but
were then forced by their brothers/fathers.
References abound even in the Rg Veda, showing that the perversion of
brother-sister incest was introduced by the ancient Hindus :
Pushan is the lover of his sister [ Rg Ved VI.55.4 ] [ Apte 11 ]
Agni is the lover of his own sister [ Rg Ved X.3.3 ] [ Apte 11 ]
Ashvins are referred to as the sons of Savitar and Ushas who are brother and
sister [ Apte 11 ].
The Ashvisns married Surya and Savitri who is their sister [ RV I.116.19 ].
Agni is the son of his fatehr and his sister [ Rg Ved.I.91.7 ]
Yama wards off his sister Yami, saying marriage between brother and sister is
forbidden [ R.V.X.10 ] [ Apte 11 ]
Father-daughter incest occurs in the famous story of Prajapati (later
identified with Brahma, in tunr incorporated as an incarnation of Vishnu) and
his daughter [ RV III.31.1-2 ]. Moreover, this was punished. Prajapati is
thought to have done something wrong, and Prajapati was pierced by Agni as a
punishment [ Sat.Br. XIII.9 ] [ Apte 63 ].
It is evident that the strict laws on male-female relations led to the
repression of normal practies and the rise of various perversions like
brother-sister incest, father-daughter incest etc. Even to this day incest of
varying degrees (cross-cousin, father-daughter, mother-son, brother-sister,
etc.) is extremely common amongst the Hindus. No other race on earth has ever
recorded such a prevalance of this practice. Just as sodomy has its home in
Persia, Lesbianism in ancient Lesbos, so incest has its home amongst the
Hindus.
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