Women are accorded the greatest respect in Vedas. Still, some ignorant keep propagating the false propaganda that Vedas demean women. Presented here are verses from Vedas obtained from the texts of the most learned scholars in this field to establish the truth.
Atharva Ved
Atharva 11.5.18
In this mantra of Brahmcharya Sukta, it is emphasized that girls too should train themselves as students and only then enter into married life. The Sukta specifically emphasizes that girls should receive the same level of training as boys.
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 8
Girls should train themselves to become complete scholars and youthful through Brahmcharya and then enter married life.
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya, Part 2, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 413-414)
Atharva 14.1.6
Parents should gift their daughter intellectuality and power of knowledge when she leaves for husband’s home. They should give her a dowry of knowledge.
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Atharva 14.1.20
Oh wife! Give us discourse of knowledge
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 9
The bride may please everyone at her husband’s home through her knowledge and noble qualities.
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya Part 2, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 660)
Atharva 7.46.3
Teach the husband ways of earning wealth
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 9
Protector of children, having definite knowledge, worth thousands of prayers and impressing all directions, O women, you accept prosperity. O wife of deserving husband, teach your husband to enhance wealth.
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya Part 1, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 804)
Similar meaning
(Book: Atharvaved ka subodh bhashya (7-10 chapters), Author: Sripad Damodar Satvalekar, Page 97)
Atharva 7.47.1
Oh woman! You are the keeper of knowledge of all types of actions (karma).
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 9
O woman, you provide us wealth and prosperity.
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya Part 1, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 804)
Similar meaning:
(Book: Atharvaved ka subodh bhashya (7-10 chapters), Author: Sripad Damodar Satvalekar, Page 98)
Atharva 7.47.2
Oh woman! You know everything. Please provide us strength of prosperity and wealth
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 9
O woman! You enhance our wealth and prosperity
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya Part 1, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 805)
Similar meaning:
(Book: Atharvaved ka subodh bhashya (7-10 chapters), Author: Sripad Damodar Satvalekar, Page 98)
Atharva 7.48.2
Oh woman! Please provide us with wealth through your intellect
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 9
Scholarly, respectful, thoughtful, happy wife protects and enhances wealth and bring happiness in home.
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya Part 1, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 806)
Similar meaning:
(Book: Atharvaved ka subodh bhashya (7-10 chapters), Author: Sripad Damodar Satvalekar, Page 99)
Atharva 14.1.64
Oh woman! Utilize your vedic intellect in all directions of our home!
(Book: Mera Dharma, Author: Priyavrat Vedavachaspati, Gurukul Kangri University)
Chapter 1: Women in Vedic Dharma, Page 9
O bride! Reach the home of scholars and bring bliss and happiness by ruling your home
(Atharvaveda-Hindi Bhashya Part 2, Author: Kshemkarandas Trivedi, Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, Page 678)
Worldwide among many societies, India has seen some of the most
adulating regard for women in Vedic culture.
Women held very important
positions in the ancient Indian society. It was a position superior to men.
There are literary evidences to suggest that woman power destroyed kingdoms and mighty rulers. The Vedic custom has held a high regard for the qualities of women, and has retained the utmost respect within its tradition as seen in the honor it gives for the Goddess, who is portrayed as the feminine embodiment of important qualities and powers.
These forms include those of Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune and queen of Lord Vishnu), Sarasvati (the goddess of learning), Subhadra (Krishnas sister and auspiciousness personified), Durga (the goddess of strength and power), Kali (the power of time), and other Vedic goddesses that exemplify inner strength and divine attributes.
Even divine power in the form of shakti is considered feminine. In the pro-vedic culture, women have always been given the highest level of respect and autonomy, but also protection and safety.
Women were allowed to have multiple husbands. Widows could remarry. They could leave their husbands.
In the Vedic society, women participated in religious
ceremonies and tribal assemblies (sabha and vidata).There is no evidence of seclusion of women from domestic and social affairs.
The system of Sati existed among is not referred to in the hymns of the Rig-Veda, but the Artharva Veda shows that it was still customary for the widow to lay symbolically by the side of her husband’s corpse on the funeral pyre.
Monogamy was very common. Polygamy was not common. Child marriages were unknown. Women could choose their husbands through a type of marriage called Swayamvara.
In this type of marriage, potential grooms assembled at the bride’s house and the bride selected her spouse. Instances of Swayamvara ceremony can be found in epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. This continued even in the later period in high class families.
There is a Vedic saying, where women are worshiped, there the Gods dwell (Or) where the women are happy, there will be prosperity
Woman must be honored and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands, and brothers-in-law, who desire their own welfare. Where women are honored, there the Gods are pleased; but where they are not honored, no sacred rite yields rewards.
Where the female relations live in grief, the family soon wholly perishes; but that family where theyare not unhappy ever prospers. The houses, on which female relations, not being duly honored, pronounce a curse, perish completely, as if destroyed by magic.
Hence men who seek (their own) welfare, should always honor women on holidays and festivals with (gifts of ornaments, clothes and (dainty) food.
.
Furthermore, in the Vedas, when a woman is invited into the family
through marriage, she enters “as a river enters the sea” and “to rule there along with her husband, as a queen, over the other members of the family”.
This kind of equality is rarely found in any other religious scripture. Plus, a woman who is devoted to God is more highly regarded as found in the Rig-Veda:
Due to this tradition, India’s history includes many women who have risen to great heights in spirituality, government, writing, education, science, or even as warriors on
the battlefield.
In the matter of dharma, in the days of Vedic culture, women stood as
a decisive force in spirituality and the foundation of moral development. There were also women rishis who revealed the Vedic knowledge to others. For example, the 126th hymn of the first book of the Rig-Veda was revealed by a Hindu woman whose name was Romasha; the 179 hymn of the same book was by Lopamudra, another inspired Hindu woman.
There are a dozen names of
woman revealers of the Vedic wisdom, such as Visvavara, Shashvati, Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Ghosha, and Aditi who instructed Indra, one of the Devas, in the higher knowledge of Brahman.
Every one of them lived the ideal life of spirituality, being untouched by the things of the world. They are called in Sanskrit Brahmavadinis, the speakers and revealers of Brahman, the knowledge for wisdom.
Some of the women that have helped make great strides in establishing the foundation of Sanatana-dharma and Vedic culture can be listed and described. They serve as fine examples of historical importance that have been the basis for inspiration to both men and women for centuries.
From the early Vedic times these include such women as Sati, Sita, Anasuya, Arundhatee, Draupadi, Queen Kunti, Shakuntala, Maitreyi, Gargi, Madalasa, Savitri, Ahalya, and others. It is said simply reciting their names removes sins.
There are additional women from the last few hundred years whose lives we can recollect as well. Such great women have contributed to the glories and splendor of Vedic culture. So let us briefly review the lives of some of these great women.