Miraculous Births In Hindu Mythology

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Myths about the birth of Gods and other religious characters are always fantastic by nature. This is especially true in respect to the characters in Hindu mythology. None of these great men and women were born in the natural way. It would not be wrong to say that its hard to find any normal birth myths at all.

Here are some of the famous mythical characters in Hinduism who had miraculous births.

Sita: Another name for Sita, the daughter of Janak and wife of Lord Ram (avater of Vishnu) is Janaki. The myth about her birth is that she is actually the daughter of the Earth. She had emerged from the Earth as it was being ploughed. So Sita was born from the womb of Mother Earth. In fact, her death too comes in a miraculous way. The Earth splits apart and swollows her beloved daughter to protect her from further shame.

The Hundred Kauravas: Gandhari, the Queen of Hastinapur was unable to hold a child in her womb. So a wise sage suggested that her children be incubated in clay pots. 101 such clay pots were impregnated with feotuses and finally burst open to produce the 100 Kaurava boys and one daughter. Not only is this a miraculous birth in Hindu mythology but also the first reference to test-tube babies.

Balarama: Krishna's elder brother Balaram was originally conceived as the 7th child of Devaki and Vasudev in Kamsa's prison. Kamsa was destined to be killed by the eighth child of his sister Devaki. But to avoid any mishaps, he killed all her children. Balarama would have met certain death at the hands of his uncle Kamsa. He was thus transfered into womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva and she gave birth to him.

Draupadi: Just as Sita was born of the Earth, Draupadi was born out of the Fire. Draupadi and Dhristadyumna emerged from the sacred fire of a 'yagna' or sacrifice. They were gifted to King Drupad as a fruit of his penance.

Lord Aayyapan: A demon named Mahishi underwent several penance and pleased Lord Bramha greatly. She wanted immortality but when Lord Bramha refused, she asked that no man born of a woman could kill her. Her wish was granted and boosted by the fact that every man is born of a woman, she wrecked havoc in the world. To stop the destruction, Lord Vishnu took his Mohini avatar and copulated with Lord Shiva's Rudra avatar. The child born to them was Lord Ayyapan who was technically not born of a woman!

These are some of the myths about births of Gods and their avatars. Do you know of any other miraculous births in Hindu mythology?