The concept of Niyoga might sound barbaric to us, but it was practiced even by cultures likes Jews, though in a different form.

What is Niyoga?

Niyoga is an ancient Hindu tradition in which a woman copulates with her deceased husband’s brother or a revered person in society with the sole purpose of having a child.

Rules of Niyoga:

1. The woman must be either a widow or her husband is infertile or impotent.

2. The man would do this only to help the woman have a child and not have pleasure.

3. He can do this a maximum of three times in his life.

4. He should apply clarified butter (ghee) all over his body.

5. The consent of the woman was necessary.

6. The woman can have only one child by this process.

7. There won’t be any foreplay or contact with the upper body.

8. The child born with the help of this process is considered a child of the woman and her husband.

9. The appointed man would not seek any relationship with the child.

Niyoga in the Mahabharata:

Ambika and Ambalika were the wives of the king Vichitravirya who died childless. His mother Queen Satyavati compelled his wives to undergo Niyoga to have heir for the kingdom of Hastinapur. For this, she chose her son Vyasa who was a pious sage.

People Born with the Practice of Niyoga:

1. Dhritrashtra from Ambika.

2. Pandu from Ambalika.

3. Vidura from a maid.

In the Manusmriti:

The rules for this practice are also in the Manusmriti (IX: 59-63).

59. On failure of issue (by her husband) a woman who has been authorised, may obtain, (in the) proper (manner prescribed), the desired offspring by (cohabitation with) a brother-in-law or (with some other) Sapinda (of the husband).

60. He (who is) appointed to (cohabit with) the widow shall (approach her) at night anointed with clarified butter and silent, (and) beget one son, by no means a second.

61. Some (sages), versed in the law, considering the purpose of the appointment not to have been attained by those two (on the birth of the first), think that a second (son) may be lawfully procreated on (such) women.

62. But when the purpose of the appointment to (cohabit with) the widow bas been attained in accordance with the law, those two shall behave towards each other like a father and a daughter-in-law.

63. If those two (being thus) appointed deviate from the rule and act from carnal desire, they will both become outcasts, (as men) who defile the bed of a daughter-in-law or of a Guru.

Movies based on this practice:

1. Anahat (2003) – a Marathi movie.

2. Oonch Neech Beech (1989) – a Bollywod movie.

3. Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) – a Bollywood movie.

This is a very ancient tradition and is not in practice now.