Open AccessThe curious case of Sudyumna: A tale of sex reversal from the Bhagavata Purana
Author(s) -
Krishna G Seshadri
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.456
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 2230-9500
pISSN - 2230-8210
DOI - 10.4103/2230-8210.111640
Subject(s) - mythology , endocrine system , medicine , psychoanalysis , literature , psychology , art , hormone
Tracking endocrine disease in mythology especially one as old and diverse as Indian mythology is a challenge. A curious case of sex reversal in the bhagavata purana is described and hunches about the disorder of sexual differentiation that manifested itself in the hapless Sudyumna the son of Manu is attempted. 5 alpha reductase deficiency appears to be the closest candidate but some twists in the tale are required to fill in the gaps.