Brahma Purana (critical study)
by Surabhi H. Trivedi | 1960 | 254,628 words
This is an English study of the Brahmapurana鈥攐ne of the eighteen major Puranas. This text occupies an important place in the Pauranic literature. This study researches the rich an encyclopaedic material for social, religious, philosophical, mythological, political, geographical and literary study found in the Brahma-Purana. It also includes a lingu...
12. The system of Niyoga
The institution of leviration was quite common in ancient times in several civilisations. In early societies There a son by levirate was preferred to a son by adoption.62 is a difference of opinion about the origin and purpose of this institution. Law-givers like Manu permit this practice while those like Apastamba condemn and forbid it. Under the system of niyoga if a woman's husband was dead or incapable of procreating children, she was allowed to have conjugal relations with her brother-in-law or some other near relative till she got one 63 or two sons. But the Brahma Purana states that vicitnavirya's wife had three sons, viz. Dhrtarastra, Pandu and Vidura by Krsna Dvaipayana (13.119-122). Further it may also be mentioned that in the Mbh, also when Kunti raised three sons by Niyoga and when her husband Pandu was not satisfied and asked her to have some more sons, Kunti protested against the suggestion pointing out that the custom permitted only three sons by niyoga and no more 64 62 Altekar A.S.: The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, PP. 163. 63 Kane R.V., HDS, Vol. II, PP. 601-607. 64 Mbh. I. 132.63-4.
330 Here it may be noted that the Brahma Purana is silent about Bhisma's services solicited for niyoga relations with the wife of Vicitravirya as is given in the Mahabharata.65 According to the Smrtikaras, the wife is called ksetra, the husband of the wife is called ksetrin or ksetrika and the person appointed to produce offspring is called bi jin or niyogin.66 The Brahma Purana states that Krshadvaipayana begot in the ksetra of Vicitravirya, thus here the word ksetra stands for the wife (13.119-122). The Brahma Purana also refers to the story of the She birth of Prtha alias Kunti, King dihasarna's daughter. was married to Pandu and had three sons, viz. Yudhisthira by Dharma, Bhimasena by Vayu and Dhananjaya by Indra (14.19-21). The Brahma Purana does not reflect upon the conditions necessary for niyoga. This practice is forbidden in the kali age. Apararka quotes the Brahma Purana in stating that niyoga was included among practices forbidden in the Kali age. But this passage is not found in the present edition.67