Satyopanisad

[Guest guest]

Swami! We hear many funny statements in present day society. People speak about

Women's Liberation Movement. Some say that women have not been given their due

place since times immemorial. They complain that there has always been

discrimination on grounds of gender and never was a fair deal given to a woman.

Women now fight for equal rights with men. We pray to you to describe to us the

role of women in our society?

 

This is not true, spiritually speaking. There is a physical difference, but Atma

or the spirit is one. However, each one has to discharge duties expected of him

or her. In a social order, man and woman are like the two hands, the two eyes,

and the two feet. One is the positive, while the other is the negative for the

current to flow and operate. Lord Siva is called ardhanaris'vara, androgynous

God (half of his body being that of a woman) to explain this unity. Man and

woman are like matter and energy. A woman is described as adis'akti, par a

s'akti -Supreme Power, Infinite Power.

 

You also notice in the history of Bharat the place given to women. Many of them

are known today for their sacrifice, wisdom, devotion, and many of them could

give better and sane advice to their husbands. Characters like Savitri,

Mandodari, Sita, Anasuya, Tara, Damayanti, Madalasa, and Draupadi are very well

known. Draupadi served her five husbands most faithfully, never said `no' to

whatever work was assigned to her, and led a life of contentment. When there was

a debate between Adi Sankara and Mandanamisra, it was the wife of Mandanamisra,

Ubhaya Bharati, who played the role of a judge and pronounced Adi Sankara winner

at the end. In ancient times, Gargi and Maitreyi were known for their

outstanding scholarship and spiritual excellence. In recent times, have you not

heard of the role played by the mother of Emperor Sivaji and of Gandhi, the

Father of the Nation, in moulding their character and personality? They learnt

lessons of life in the lap of their mothers! It was due to the love and

inspiration of Kausalya and Sita towards their respective sons, Lord Rama and

the twins Lava and Kusa that the latter could earn undying reputation and stand

till today as ideals to the entire world.

 

In our daily prayers we say matr devo bhava, Mother is God. Don't you see the

names of women come first and those of men next in compounds like Sita-Rama,

Gauri-Sankar, Lakshmi-Narayana and so on? In the past, there never was an

instance of women being humiliated, neglected or treated with disrespect. Don't

you hear words like `motherland', `mother tongue' that speak highly of women?

 

The Bhagavad gita refers to seven types of power enjoyed by women as a matter of

right. She has quite a few titles that underscore her contribution to the family

and her special role. A housewife is called illalu, the one who takes care of

the house or illu. She is described as sahadharma carini, the one who guides her

husband along the path of Dharma. She is praised as gr halaks mi , the very

embodiment of the wealth, peace and prosperity of the family. She is called

ardhangi, representing a half of man, the better half.

 

Woman stands for patience, sacrifice, forbearance, respect, humility and

obedience, the qualities, which are usually missing among men. A woman is

prepared to die for her child or husband. She slogs and struggles for the

progress and the well being of the family. She is the backbone of the country.

She is the light and the delight of the family.