Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s19.118

v1.c3.s19.118

(e) Incest was recognized in the marriage of brother and sister as appears from the legend of Yama and Yamī in the Rigveda,⁶² which clearly shows that such a marriage was not approved by the feeling of the Vedic age. There is also another hymn⁶³ in which reference to such intercourse appears to be made. Mention is further made in the Rigveda⁶⁴ to the wedlock of Prajāpati and his daughter, which is, however, interpreted mythologically in the Brāhmaṇas,⁶⁵ an interpretation which may be correct. That incest, however, actually did take place is clear from the Atharvaveda;⁶⁶ but even though the mythological interpretation of the passage were not justified, no conclusion could be drawn from the hymn as to the normal occurrence of such relations.