Women in Ancient India

[Guest guest]

Women in Ancient Indian Civilization Maya A. Chainani, Ph. D. 6185 Hidden

Canyon Rd., Centreville, VA 22020

 

A critical study of Vedic literature reveals that women of all strata of

society were held in high esteem in the Vedic Age. They were variously

designated and addressed as mother, owner of the house, and wife, etc.. The

woman in her role as wife enjoyed the position as owner of the house. She

even wielded her authority over her father-in-law and her mother-in-law,

like a queen in the house. They were entitled to wear the sacred thread and

to study the Veda.

 

This paper, based upon citations from ancient Indian literature, will

highlight the rights of women, the duties of women, and the status of women

in the Brahmanas, smrtis, Ramayana, and the Mahabharata to show that women

had a very special place in ancient India, and that her position has become

lessened due to the onslaughts of history.

 

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Women in Ancient India H.H. Brahmavadini Krishan Kanta, M.A., B.T.

Parivrajika, Brahmarishi Mission, 1246 North Mantine St., Kent, OH 44240

 

Vedas, Upanishads and the epics give numerous examples showing the great

position of women in ancient India. They were respected for being great

philosophers, politicians,  psychologists, teachers, administrators, law

makers and successful house holders, etc. Many hymns were  composed by them.

Vaak Abharni composed 'Devi-Sukta', Shraddha Kamayani the 'shraddha sukta',

Yami Vaivasvati mandal tenth in the Hymn 154, etc.

 

This paper will present, from Rig-Veda, the contributions of the women of

the Vedic age. ..................................

 

Legal Status of Women in Ancient India Sudha Rani Shrivastava, M.A., LL.B.,

Advocate 208/2 Garha Phatak, Jabalpur, MP - 482 002, INDIA

 

The Hindus believe their Law to be of divine origin. The historic fact,

often unnoticed, according to which women were treated in many respects

almost with divine  respect in ancient India was a unique feature. Perhaps

no other country or  civilization equated women with power of wealth

(Lakshmi), power of learning  (Sarasvati), and with the power to punish

(Durga). This concept brought them at  least equal if not superior to men.

 

Over a long period of history starting from the ancient, many countries were

born and perished, but India not only survived, but flourished on the map of

universe. The divine Law was based on Shruti (literally means 'that heard').

 

The period of 'Ancient India' started from Manu, who unequivocally placed

women at a high pedestal when he said -- yatra naaryaastu poojayante,

ramante tatra devataa (Divinity resides there where women are treated with

respect.).

 

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The Status of Women in the Rigveda Shashi Tiwari, Ph. D. Department of

Sanskrit, Maitaiye Colleage (University of Delhi), Chanakya Puri, New Delhi

- 110020, INDIA

 

Vedic literature depicts an ideal society, where women enjoyed an honorable

and high status. Like every patriarchal society here also the father is the

commanding authority, but in the household affairs the mother is considered

to be supreme.  Though limited in numbers, Vedic goddesses were as powerful

as the gods. In the Rigveda, there is no reference to an instance where the

birth of a girl was considered inauspicious. That the girl  received

education is evident from the composition of hymns by the female seers. The

daughter of the Rigvedic times was bold, strong and free. The maiden seems

to have been free to make her choice of husband as appears in the verse (RV.

X-27-12), and was supported in her choice by her parents. Probably a maiden

having no brother had her legal right to inherit the paternal property. The

wife was a partner in the performance of sacrifices. She was the empress in

her home. In the Rigveda we get few references to polygamy because monogamy

was the rule. On the basis of some verses it can be said that the custom of

widow remarriage existed. Other social evils relating to women, such as

burning of widows, purdah system and child marriage were not found in the

Rigvedic society. Hence, this Rigvedic picture of womanhood is the real

heritage of India.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Of course, women in ancient India were highly respected. Amma has mentioned

this several times. Also, this is the reason why some women have been

instated as priests in Brahmasthanam temples in India. Amma says that men

and women are equal in creation. Further, the reason why women stayed at

home is due to respect to them that they not go to places of work where

adverse situations may exist. This has been degraded over the ages and taken

as a sign of inferiority!

 

Om Namah Shivaya

Jagadheep

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