Niyog Pratha Revisited

Posted by Harsh Nevatia Aug 2, 2008

Hindu mythology is replete with births as a result of the blessings of sages and deities. These have been generally interpreted as divine conceptions devoid of any sexual contact, perhaps because there has been an element of the supernatural involved.

But Niyog Pratha is a legitimate social custom that allows the brother of a deceased male to impregnate the widow. There is nothing supernatural in it. Hence when Kahani Humari Mahabharat Ki, a new television serial retelling the story of Mahabharata, portrayed the conception of Pandu and Dhritarashtra in an asexual nature it came as a surprise.

Kahani Humari Mahabharat Ki has a fresh approach to the portrayal. The ornate costumes and sets typical in Indian mythological presentations have been replaced with minimalist designs. The women characters who have appeared thus far are not one dimensional cardboard characters but have been endowed with sensuousness. Hence seeing divine rays emerging from Veda Vyasa eyes and penetrating the wombs of Ambika, Ambalika and the female slave appeared unpalatable.

This event is described in Section CVI of the Sambhava Parva of Adi Parva, the first book of the Mahabharata. I am referring to the translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, which is well accepted. While describing the impregnation of Ambika the translation reads, “The princess, seeing his (Veda Vyasa) dark visage, his matted locks of copper hue, blazing eyes, his grim beard, closed her eyes in fear. The Rishi, from desire of accomplishing his mother’s wishes, however knew her.” This beyond doubt indicates that sexual intercourse took place.

Ekta Kapoor, the producer of the serial, is neither prudish nor squeamish as her several television products testify. Perhaps it is the religious and the family nature of the serial that has led to this prudish interpretation.