Gods And Rishis In Hinduism
In the narratives passed down through Hindu traditions, we often encounter descriptions of the revered Rishis’ piety, with claims that they practiced celibacy and refrained from marriage. However, a contrasting perspective reveals that the gods were associated with multiple wives, and the majority of Rishis were indeed married and had families. Furthermore, even in their advanced age, some Rishis were depicted as experiencing heightened sexual arousal, such that merely encountering a beautiful woman led to the release of semen. Among these sages, the ranks of the seven principal Rishis such as Bhardvaja, Kratu, Vasista, and Gautama, are noteworthy. I will commence by recounting tales centered around the deities before delving into stories surrounding the Rishis.
1. Agni
📚Brahma Viavarta Purana Krishna Janma Khanda 131.34-38📚
Once upon a time, all the gods having assembled in the council of the gods, the celestial whores busied themselves with dancing and singing. On that occasion, the fire-god (having seen Rambha with graceful buttocks), was excited with passion and discharged his semen…” (source)
Rambha, an Apsara or celestial nymph, is also recognized as a concubine of the divine king Indra. This narrative prompts reflection on the behavior of such gods, who are depicted with a notable degree of lecherousness.
2. Brahma
Brahma ejaculates on seeing Sati,
📚Shiva Purana 2.2.19.16-29📚
O sage, while going round the fire, the feet of Sati protruded out of the cloth that covered them. I looked at them. My mind being afflicted by love I stared at the limbs of Sati. O excellent brahmin, I was deluded by Siva’s Mäyã. The more I stared at the beautiful limbs of Sati eagerly the more I became thrilled like a love-afflicted man. Staring thus at the chaste daughter of Daksa and being afflicted by the cupid, O sage, I craved to see her face. Since she was bashful in the presence of Siva I could not see her face. She did not show out her face on account of shyness. Then I began to consider proper means whereby I could see the face. Afflicted much by the cupid, I pitched upon the production of airful smoke as the means thereof. Then lord Siva, the supreme God, indulged in many sports, covered his eyes (apparently) afflicted by smoke. Then, O sage, afflicted by the cupid and delighted in the heart of hearts, I lifted her veil and stared into the face of Sati. I looked at the face of Sati many a time. I was helpless in curbing the onset of a sensuous organism. Four drops of my semen virile got displaced and fell on the ground like drops of dew as a result of staring into her face. O sage, then I was stunned into silence. I was surprised. I became suspicious. I covered up the semen drops lest anyone should see them.” (source)
Brahma ejaculates on seeing the wife of Sage Santanu, Amogha,
📚Padma Purana 1.55.16b-18a📚
The grandsire of all the worlds, after seeing Amoghā, ejaculated. From that is said to be the rise of Lauhitya. It purifies all people. It is full of all sacred places; resorting to which a man goes to the healthy world of Brahmā.” (source)
Brahma discharged his semen on seeing Rati with lust,
📚Brahma Viavarta Purana Brahma Khanda 4.10-13📚
Both of them bowed in reverence to lord Krishna and thereafter they took their seats over the gem-studded thrones. Kamadeva carried a bow of flowers and the arrows which were known as Marana, Stambhana, Jrmbhana, Soçana and Unmadana. In order to test the effectiveness of his arrows, Kamadeva shot all the five arrows at the same time. As a result of this all the people became passionate. Finding Rati there, the Semen of Brahmä fell but Brahma, the best of the vogis, concealed the same with his costumes out of shame.” (source)
Brahma ejaculated upon gazing nymphs with well built and erotic bodies,
📚Brahma Viavarta Purana Krishna Janma Khanda 131.14-19📚
Looking at their well built body, the flesh, smiling faces and the pelvic region, Brahma was infested with passion. O Brahmana, Brahma could not control himself and his semen fell. Brahma feeling ashamed hid it in a cloth and after the music was over, Brahma getting infatuated with passion took out the cloth and threw it out in the ocean. Thereafter, a divine immense lustre, emerged out of the water and sat in the lap of Brahma, who was feeling ashamed seated in the court of Visnu. In the meantime, getting angry Varuna came out of the water and bowing in reverence to the gods he tried to take away the boy with him. The boy on the other hand started crying and caught hold of Brahma. But Brahma could not speak anything getting ashamed.” (source)
Brahma ejaculated upon seeing the wives of gods and various other Apsaras,
📚Vayu Purana 2.4.29-31📚
The brilliantly shining goddess Earth, the quarters, the intermediate quarters, the Lords of quarters, the celestial virgins, the wives of Devas, the mothers and Ayu all these were present there in embodied form in front of the Lord (Brahma) who was performing the Yajna assuming the form of Varuna. On seeing the ladies, the semen virile of Svayambhu fell on the ground..” (source)
Brahma discharged his semen on seeing the toe of Parvati!,
📚Brahma Purana 4.3.17-22📚
During the course of touching the slab, Siva urged by Visnu, touched the toe of the right foot of the goddess with his hand. Performing the sacrifice there near Siva, I saw her. My semen got ejaculated due to my evil mind on seeing the toe. In the entire three worlds, who is not deceived by Cupid? Defiled and ashamed, I scattered the ejaculated semen in small droplets. From the minute particles of my semen the Valakhi- lyas” were born. Then there was a great commotion caused by Devas. Overwhelmed by shame, I stood up from my seat and started. Even as Devas watched silently, O Nárada, I went ahead. On seeing me go, Mahâdeva spoke to Nandin: Siva said: Call Brahma here. I shall make him free from sin.” (source)
📚Shiva Purana 2.3.49.3-11📚
Then according to the worldly convention, Pārvatī and Śiva performed the circumambulation round the fire, O dear. The husband of Pārvatī exhibited a wonderful feat. O celestial sage, listen to that. I shall mention it out of love for you. On that occasion, deluded by Śiva’s power of illusion I stared at the feet of the goddess as well as the crescentshaped nails. On seeing them, O celestial sage, I became overwhelmed by passion. My mind was greatly disturbed. Deluded by the cupid I stared at her limbs frequently. Then, immediately after staring at them, my semen dropped on the ground. I, the grandfather, was ashamed by the emission of my semen. O sage, I pressed the penis secretly with my feet. O Nārada, on coming to know of it, the great God Śiva became furious. He wanted to kill me immediately because I was overwhelmed by lust. O Nārada, there was great hue and cry everywhere. All the people trembled. Even Viṣṇu, the sustainer of the universe, was terrified. O sage, then Viṣṇu and other gods eulogised Śiva who was blazing furiously and who attempted to kill me.” (source)
3. Krishna
📚Brahma Viavarta Purana Brahma Khanda 4.23-25📚
Thereafter because of the arrows of love, the semen of Lord Krsna also fell but he placed the same in the water in that assembly. After a thousand years it emerged in the form of an egg. From that egg a gigantic universal form came out, which happens to be the base of the entire Universe. His single hair-pit could accommodate a complete universe. It is harder than the hardest and nothing else is bigger than it.” (source)
4. Mitra and Varuna
Mitra and Varuna are recounted to have emitted semen upon seeing Apsara Urvashi,
📚Nirukta 5.13📚
Urvashi is (the name of) a naiad, (so called because) she pervades wide regions (uru + as- to pervade ‘), or she pervades by means of thighs [Sexual Intercourse]…On seeing her, the seminal fluid of Mitra and Varuna fell down.” (source)
📚Shrimad Bhagavatam 6.18.6📚
Upon seeing Urvaśī, the celestial society girl, both Mitra and Varuṇa discharged semen, which they preserved in an earthen pot. The two sons Agastya and Vasiṣṭha later appeared from that pot, and they are therefore the common sons of Mitra and Varuṇa. Mitra begot three sons in the womb of his wife, whose name was Revatī. Their names were Utsarga, Ariṣṭa and Pippala.” (source)
📚Shrimad Bhagavatam 9.13.6📚
After saying this, Mahārāja Nimi, who was expert in the science of spiritual knowledge, gave up his body. Vasiṣṭha, the great-grandfather, gave up his body also, but through the semen discharged by Mitra and Varuṇa when they saw Urvaśī, he was born again.” (source)
📚Shiva Purana 5.4.23-24📚
Formerly the two gods Mitra and Varuna, while performing a severe penance, were fascinated and deluded by Siva’s Mayã. On seeing the youthful maiden Ürvasi, both of them had the emission of their semen. Mitra deposited his semen in a pot and Varuna in water.” (source)
📚Brihad Devata 5.149-150📚
Of these two Adityas, when they saw the nymph Urvasi at a sacrificial session, the semen was effused. It fell into a jar containing water that stood overnight. Now at the same moment two vigorous ascetics, the seers Agastya and Vasistha, there came into being.” (source)
5. Prajapati
📚Aitareya Brahmana 6.5.27📚
For the semen is like something unspeakable secretly poured forth into the womb. The sperm becomes blended. For when Prajapati had carnal intercourse with his daughter, his sperm was poured forth upon the earth and was mixed up with it. This was done for making the sperm produce fruit.” (source)
📚Pancavimsa Brahmana 8.2.10📚
Prajapati went on top of his own daughter Usas. His semen flew away. It was poured on this (the earth). He made it perfect, [thinking]: “Let this Semen of mine not be spoiled.” He made it [something] real, namely, cattle.” (source)
6. Shiva
📚Shrimad Bhagavatam 8.12.26-32📚
The beautiful woman was already naked, and when She saw Lord Siva coming toward Her, She became extremely bashful. Thus She kept smiling, but She hid Herself among the trees and did not stand in place. – His senses being agitated, Lord Siva, victimized by lusty desires, began to follow Her, just as a lusty elephant follows a she-elephant. After following Her with great speed, Lord Siva caught Her by the braid of Her hair and dragged Her near him. Although She was unwilling, he embraced Her with his arms. -Being embraced by Lord Siva like a female elephant embraced by a male, the woman, whose hair was scattered, swirled like a snake. O King, this woman, who had large, high hips, was a woman of yoga-mäya presented by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She released Herself somehow or other from the fond embrace of Lord Siva’s arms and ran away. – As if harassed by an enemy in the form of lusty desires, Lord Siva followed the path of Lord Visnu, who acts very wonderfully and who had taken the form of Mohini. – Just as a maddened bull elephant follows a female elephant who is able to conceive pregnancy, Lord Siva followed the beautiful woman and discharged semen, even though his discharge of semen never goes in vain.” (source)
📚Agni Purana 3.17-20📚
Viṣṇu in the company of all the immortals said, “Be it so” and cast off his female form. He was then requested by Hara to show that form (again). (Lord) Hari (Viṣṇu) showed the feminine form to Rudra (Siva). Sambhu (Siva) being captivated by the illusory power, renouncing Gauri (Pārvatī) sought that feminine form. Becoming nude and behaving like a mad man, he held the damsel by her hair. She got herself freed and ran away. He too followed her. Wherever the seminal fluid of Hara dropped, there came into being sacred places of liṅgas and gold.” (source)
7. Sage Vyasa
📚Devi Bhagavatam 1.14.1-70📚
Confounded by terror, she assumed the form of a Śūka bird and fled away; Vyāsa, too, became greatly surprised to see her in the form of a bird. The moment Vyāsa saw the extraordinary beautiful form of Ghritācī, the Cupid entered then, into his body, and his mind was filled with the thought of sweet feminine form and was gladdened and all his body was thrilled with pleasure so that the hairs of the body stood on their ends. The Muni Vyāsa Deva tried his best and exerted his power of patience to its utmost, but failed to control his restless mind to enjoy the woman. Though he was very energetic, and he tried repeatedly to control his heart, enchanted with the beautiful form of Ghritācī, yet he could not, as due to a state of things pre-ordained by God, control his mind. At this state, when he was rubbing the fire sticks to get the sacred fire, the two pieces of wood used in kindling the fire, his seed (semen) fell upon the Araṇī (the two pieces of wood used in kindling the sacred fire). But he did not take any notice of that, and he went on rubbing the firesticks when arose from that Araṇī the wonderfully beautiful form of Śūka deva, looking like a second Vyāsa.” (source)
📚Mahabharata 12.325📚
Beholding the Apsara in those woods, the illustrious Rishi Vyasa, O Yudhishthira, became suddenly smitten with desire. The Apsara (Ghritaci), seeing the Rishi’s heart troubled by desire, transformed herself into a she-parrot and came to that spot. Although he beheld the Apsara disguised in another form, the desire that had arisen in the Rishi’s heart (without disappearing) spread itself over every part of his body. Summoning all his patience, the ascetic endeavoured to suppress that desire; with all his effort, however, Vyasa did not succeed in controlling his agitated mind. In consequence of the inevitability of what was to happen, the Rishi’s heart was attracted by Ghritaci’s fair form. He set himself more earnestly to the task of making a fire for suppressing his emotion, but in spite of all his efforts his vital seed came out. That best of regenerate ones, however, O king, continued to rub his stick without feeling any scruples for what had happened. From the seed that fell, was born a son unto him, called Suka.” (source)
📚Narada Purana 2.58.19-27📚
At that time, the illustrious sage happened to see a heavenly damsel called Ghrtaci who, in consequence of her brilliant splendour, possessed excellent beauty. Seeing that celestial damsel, in that forest, the great sage Vyasa became instantly passionately enamoured of her. After making Vyasa deeply agitated with passion, the most beautiful Ghrtaci, transforming herself into a she-parrot, approached him. Even after seeing the celestial lady disguised in another form, he was overcome with cupid (passionate love) who spread in every part of his body. With great (moral) courage, the sage tried to restrain his passion. But his mind being extremely agitated, Vyasa was unable to control it. Due to the inevitability of Destiny (lit. what was to happen) the heart of the sage was fascinated by the (beautiful) form (of Ghrtaci). With the desire to do this (vi-e. the kindling of Are) while he was suppressing his passion with special efforts, all of a sudden his semen fell on the churning sticks. It was thus that the great ascetic Suka was born while Vyasa continued the churning of sacrificial sticks.” (source)
8. Sage Satyadharti
📚Vayu Purana 2.37.198📚
On seeing an Apsaras (celestial damsel) in front, the semen virile of Satyadhrti was emitted in the bush of Sara-grasa and twins were born.” (source)
📚Matsya Purana 50.10📚
At the sight of a nymph, Satyadhriti cast his seed in a pool of water, out of which, one son and a daughter were born.” (source)
Like Father like Son,
📚Shrimad Bhagavatam 9.21.35📚
The son of Satananda was Satyadhṛti, who was expert in archery, and the son of Satyadhṛti was Saradvan. When Saradvan met Urvasi, he discharged semen, which fell on a clump of sara grass. From this semen were born two all-auspicious babies, one male and the other female.” (source)
📚Vayu Purana 1.37.196-198📚
Ahalya bore Satananda the excellent sage to Saradvata. His son was Satyadhrti of great fame. He was a master of the science of archery. On seeing an Apsaras (celestial damsel) in front, the semen virile of Satyadhrti was emitted in the bush of Sara grass and twins were born.” (source)
9. Sage Suparsva
📚Varaha urana 95.18-21📚
There a young and beautiful Kaksasa girl by name Indumati, bathing naked, was seen by this sage. Then he had an emission which he dropped in a stony crevice at the river (and it got mixed with the water). Finding the water fragrant (with it), Mahismati told her friends that she would drink it. She then drank the water containing the emission of the sage. As a result she conceived and in due time brought forth, a son named Mahisa, intelligent and valiant.” (source)
10. Sage Bharadwaja
Rishi Bhardvaja’s encounter with the Apsara Ghritachi led to his ejaculation. While performing ablutions in the Ganges, the elderly Rishi found himself alongside the nymph Ghritachi, who was also engaged in sacred rituals by the river. The sight of her wet form and disheveled attire aroused the Rishi’s desires, resulting in the release of his semen,
📚Mahabharata 1.131.1-9📚
Vaisampayana said, ‘There dwelt at the source of the Ganga, a great sage named Bharadwaja, ceaselessly observing the most rigid vows. One day, of old, intending to celebrate the Agnihotra sacrifice he went along with many great Rishis to the Ganga to perform his ablutions. Arrived at the bank of the stream, he saw Ghritachi herself, that Apsara endued with youth and beauty, who had gone there a little before. With an expression of pride in her countenance, mixed with a voluptuous languor of attitude, the damsel rose from the water after her ablutions were over. And as she was gently treading on the bank, her attire which was loose became disordered. Seeing her attire disordered, the sage was smitten with burning desire. The next moment his vital fluid came out, in consequence of the violence of his emotion. The Rishi immediately held it in a vessel called a Drona. Then, O king, Drona sprang from the fluid thus preserved in that vessel by the wise Bharadwaja. And the child thus born studied all the Vedas and their branches.” (source)
11. Sage Vibhandaka
📚Mahabharata 3.110.34-35📚
And that son of Kasyapa, Vibhandaka, having proceeded to a big lake, devoted himself to the practice of penances. And that same saint, comparable to a god, laboured for a long period. And once while he was washing his mouth in the waters, he beheld the celestial nymph Urvasi–whereupon came out his seminal fluid.” (source)
12. Sage Mankana
📚Vamana Purana Satomahatmya 17.2-5📚
Lomaharsana said The sage Mankana was the mind-born son of Kasyapa. He was ready to bathe with his valkala in his hand. There came Rambha taking good, bright and charming other Apsarases and began to take their bath by his side. At this due to excitement of passion his semen dropped in the water. The great sage collected that semen in a jar. That semen in the jar became differentiated into seven portions. Out of them were born seven Rsis who are known as the Marut hosts.” (source)
📚Mahabharata 9.38📚
Listen now to a great feat of Mankanaka, who had from his youth led the life of a brahmacari. While employed in performing his ablutions in the river, he beheld (one day), O Bharata, a woman of faultless limbs and fair brows, bathing in the river at will, her person uncovered. At this sight, O monarch, the vital seed of the Rishi fell unto the Sarasvati. The great ascetic took it up and placed it within his earthen pot. Kept within that vessel, the fluid became divided into seven parts. From those seven portions were born seven Rishis from whom sprang the (nine and forty) Maruts.” (source)
13. Sage Dadhica
Sage Dadhica released his semen into the river Sarasvati upon encountering the Apsara Alambusa,
📚Mahabharata 9.51.5-9📚
In days of yore, O monarch, there was an intelligent sage of great ascetic merit. He was celebrated by the name of Dadhica. Possessing a complete control over his senses, he led the life of a brahmacari…At last the chastiser of Paka, for tempting the sage, despatched unto him the exceedingly beautiful and celestial apsara, by name Alambusa. Thither where on the banks of the Sarasvati the high souled sage was engaged in the act of gratifying the gods, the celestial damsel named above, O monarch, made her appearance. Beholding that damsel of beautiful limbs, the vital seed of that ascetic of cleansed soul came out.” (source)
14. Sage Kashyap
📚Brahma Vaivarta Purana Brahma Kanda 20.33-46📚
At that time, Menaka was passing by that way, At the sight of her thigh and breast the semen of the saint was discharged. Thereupon the woman Kalavati drank it cheerfully, went to her husband, bowed to him and told him everything about, her pregnancy…” (source)
15. Sage Devarata
📚Skanda Purana 6.1.29.36-47📚
In the meanwhile, at the advent of spring season, Menakā, the excellent Apsarā (celestial woman), happened to come to the mortal world. In course of her wandering, she reached the excellent forest named Rāmyaka reverberating with the cooings of inebriate cuckoos. It abounded in charming trees. It was there that the tiger among sages, remembered as Devarāta, stayed. He was richly endowed with the practice of holy vows and regular study of the Vedas. With regular penance, he had dispelled all sins. In that longly forest he lived alone, practising the adoration of deities with excessive ardour and faith. Once he was sitting on the bank of the river. The celestial damsel of excellent complexion was distressed due to the heat of the sun. Even as the sage was watching she disrobed herself revealing her exquisitely divine features and entered the water. On seeing the lady of excellent limbs diving into the watery expanse, instantly the leading sage involuntarily discharged his semen. In the meantime an extremely thirsty doc came there. The water of the river with which the semen of the sage had got mixed was completely drunk up by her. By the power of the sage whose semen could never be futile, the doe conceived a human foetus.” (source)