Eunuchs
CHANGING STATUS OF EUNUCHS (HERMAPHRODITES)- ROLE OF YOUTH.
Introduction write Background
Eunuchs
Eunuchs or Hijras are hermaphrodites in our race who do not possess a single gender identification, but dual. “The Sanskrit term "tritiya prakriti," or third nature, is used to classify them” (3 bring surname and year). Chatterji (write year) (this comes in references), “The term hijra is often translated as "eunuch" and the archetypal hijra is raised as a man and undergoes ritual removal of the genitals to become a hijra. However, anthropologist Nanda(write year) explains that many hijras come from other sexually ambiguous backgrounds: they may be born intersexed, be born male or female and fail to develop fully at puberty, or be males who choose to live as hijras without ever undergoing the castration procedure.
Eunuchs have been an integral part of our society for 4000 years now. In the Indian Mythology, Ramayana, when Lord Rama was banished from his kingdom Ayodhya for 14 years exile, many of the people wished to accompany him on his exile but he commanded “Ayodhya ke sabhi narnari, apne gharon ko laut jaye (all men and women of Ayodhya may return to their homes)”. Hearing this all the men and women returned to their homes but the eunuchs stayed there as they did not associate themselves with any of these genders. They stayed at the border of Ayodhya for 14 years bearing the heat, thunder, lightening, cold and rain. After conquering Ravan, when Rama returned to his homeland he was amazed to see the loyalty and dedication of the eunuchs and hence granted their tribe the boon that their blessing would be sought on every auspicious occasion. This boon automatically raised their status in the society of those days. Even during the Imperial India eunuch were employed as the servants and guards for female royalty as they were more trustworthy and often obtained high status position. Though Indian Mythology is filled with endless instances relating eunuchs but
Introduction write Background
Eunuchs
Eunuchs or Hijras are hermaphrodites in our race who do not possess a single gender identification, but dual. “The Sanskrit term "tritiya prakriti," or third nature, is used to classify them” (3 bring surname and year). Chatterji (write year) (this comes in references), “The term hijra is often translated as "eunuch" and the archetypal hijra is raised as a man and undergoes ritual removal of the genitals to become a hijra. However, anthropologist Nanda(write year) explains that many hijras come from other sexually ambiguous backgrounds: they may be born intersexed, be born male or female and fail to develop fully at puberty, or be males who choose to live as hijras without ever undergoing the castration procedure.
Eunuchs have been an integral part of our society for 4000 years now. In the Indian Mythology, Ramayana, when Lord Rama was banished from his kingdom Ayodhya for 14 years exile, many of the people wished to accompany him on his exile but he commanded “Ayodhya ke sabhi narnari, apne gharon ko laut jaye (all men and women of Ayodhya may return to their homes)”. Hearing this all the men and women returned to their homes but the eunuchs stayed there as they did not associate themselves with any of these genders. They stayed at the border of Ayodhya for 14 years bearing the heat, thunder, lightening, cold and rain. After conquering Ravan, when Rama returned to his homeland he was amazed to see the loyalty and dedication of the eunuchs and hence granted their tribe the boon that their blessing would be sought on every auspicious occasion. This boon automatically raised their status in the society of those days. Even during the Imperial India eunuch were employed as the servants and guards for female royalty as they were more trustworthy and often obtained high status position. Though Indian Mythology is filled with endless instances relating eunuchs but
References: 1:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rnni2k9nhQ/TpgJRvd8NeI/AAAAAAAAD20/0n9TXZgusNA/s640/6369154b1520e20d657a7974aea70df2.jpg, http://www.google.co.in/imgres?q=laxmi+hijra&num=10&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=595&tbm=isch&tbnid=XDyHerFV34i0mM:&imgrefurl=http://paajipapu.blogspot.com/2011/10/famous-hijra-laxmi-narayan-tripathi-in.html&docid=Cem4Wr92x7PIdM&imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rnni2k9nhQ/TpgJRvd8NeI/AAAAAAAAD20/0n9TXZgusNA/s640/6369154b1520e20d657a7974aea70df2.jpg&w=500&h=334&ei=8ZRMUMnbKo_irAe3r4CwCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=490&vpy=150&dur=3387&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=124&ty=123&sig=105295880318054595043&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=125&tbnw=185&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:79 2:http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040623/chd5.jpg, http://www.google.co.in/imgres?q=sylvie+delhi&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=595&tbm=isch&tbnid=gtp1j_UKTUBOHM:&imgrefurl=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040623/chd.htm&docid=yKX3d2R_ZfU_WM&imgurl=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040623/chd5.jpg&w=280&h=236&ei=ApJMUJ4Qg4isB6q_gTg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=294&vpy=158&dur=1888&hovh=188&hovw=224&tx=124&ty=105&sig=105295880318054595043&page=1&tbnh=126&tbnw=146&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0,i:95