Tag: women

Did women in Vedic period enjoy equal rights?

Yes, women in Vedic period enjoyed equal rights as men. There are many examples to establish this fact.  Vedic scriptures do not advocate discrimination. 

Vedic India made sure that women are properly taken care and they are not exploited. Their physical needs as well as emotional needs were properly addressed. Today too those who live as per the Vedic instructions does not see any difference between men and women.  They understand that God has created both men and women so there should not be any gender discrimination.

However, there are feminists and left scholars who selectively pick some statements from the Vedas and say that Vedas advocate women discrimination. 

Women not allowed in few temples

For example, in India, there are certain social customs and rituals where women (as well as men) are expected to follow certain norms.

For example, there are few temples like Shani Shingnapur or Sabarimala where women are not allowed as per the tradition.  Without understanding the reason behind such norms, feminists and left liberal pseudo scholars start condemning the age-old custom.

Men not allowed in few temples too

But you will be surprised to know that there are temples in India where men are also not allowed.  For example, in Ma Linga Bhairavi temple in Coimbatore men are not allowed.  In Lord Brahma’s temple at Puskar, Rajasthan married men are not allowed. And there are other temples too where men are not allowed.  

So, if women are not allowed in some temples and we say it is discrimination against women. Then we should also say that there is discrimination against men because men are also barred from entering some temples.

Why the outrage?

Is it that the feminists and leftist people have developed some love for the Vedic demigods that they want women to enter the temple?  Definitely not. Their purpose and motive are quite obvious. They want to indulge in their favourite pastime – Hindu bashing and criticising the Vedas.

Let us put aside this unending cacophony for a while and try to analyse the Vedic perspective on the position and status of men and women in human society.

What Vedas say about men and women?

In Bhagavad Gita 2.13, Lord Krishna informs us that we are neither men nor women, but we are spirit souls. As a soul presently we are occupying a man’s body or may be a woman’s body. In the next life a man can become a woman and a woman can become a man. As long as we are in this material world, we will keep on occupying different bodies based on our karma. If our karma is little good, we get a human body and can be either a man or a woman. But if our karma is bad, we will get an animal body.

As long as we are in this material world we will keep on transmigrating into different species and suffer the repeated cycle of birth and death. So, Vedas ask us to free ourselves from this repeated cycle of birth and death. And this can be possible only when we return back to the spiritual world. In the spiritual world there is no death and there is no suffering.

Whether we are a man or a woman, we suffer here and we will die one day. So, we should not be obsessed with our bodily designation of being a man or a woman. But we should utilize this precious human life to attain liberation and return to kingdom of Krishna.

Both, men and women, have the opportunity to perfect their life by practicing devotion to Krishna.

Vedas recommend both men and women to practice varnashrama

How to perfect our human life is explained in Vedas. The sacred Vedas say that both men and women should follow the varnashrama system of life.  Varnashrama helps one to lead a happy life in this world and also helps to attain liberation from this world. Women in Vedic period followed Varnashrama dharma.

Vedas recommend 4 ashrams – Brahmachari ashram (Student Life), Grihastha ashram (Household life), Vanaprastha ashram (Retired Life) and Sannyasa ashram (Renounced Life). Suppose that we live for hundred years.

Brahmachari ashram

For 25 years one should live like a brahmachari, during this period strict vows of celibacy is observed.

Grihastha ashram

For 25 years to 50 years, one should live in grihasta ashram. It means that man and woman should get married, live together in a house, beget children and take care of them. There could be a possibility that some brahmachari may not want to get married. So, they can continue to live like a celibate monk in a monastery. In the household life also husband and wife are expected to sincerely practice spiritual life.

Vanaprastha ashram

After 50 years both husband and wife are supposed to enter into vanaprasta ashram. In vanaprasta ashram both husband and wife dedicate their life completely in practicing spiritual life. They do not focus on earning money and do not have any physical relationship.

Sannyasa ashram

Finally, there is sannyasa ashram. Generally, men take sannyasa and women return back to her grown up children. For women to follow the strict vows of sannyasa like living alone and going door to door to beg alms is generally difficult. But when women live with her children then she completely focusses on her spiritual life and remain detached from material activities.

Varnashrama gives equal rights to women

Vedas teach that both men and women should live in such a way that they help each other to elevate their consciousness. And they should not become the cause of bondage to each other in this material world.

This material world is temporary, and all relationship of this world is temporary. Our eternal relationship is only with the Supreme Lord. So, we have to get detached from this temporary relationship and develop ever- lasting permanent relationship with the Supreme Lord.  Vedas focus on this aspect of life and so ask both men and women to live by this principle.

If we study Vedic scriptures scrutinizingly, we will find that it does not discriminate between men and women at all. But it gives a process called varnashrama following which men and women can live happily in this world.  And finally attain liberation from this ephemeral world by developing love for the Supreme Lord, Krishna.

Varnashrama gives equal rights and opportunities to women to practice devotion to God.  So, women in Vedic period were never discriminated. There was gender equality.

Famous female saints of India

Those who cry saying that Vedas promote women discrimination should read the history of India without any prejudice. This will remove their veil of ignorance.

During Vedic period there were even women rishis such as Romasha, Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Aditi and others. And few hundred years back we had great women devotees of the Lord – Mira Bai, Sri Gangamata Goswamini, Sri Jahnava Mata, Sri Sita Thakurani etc. These women rishis were well versed in Vedas. The 126^th hymn of the first book of Rig Veda was revealed to Romasha, a woman.

In India women are not just allowed inside a temple but are also given an opportunity for deity worship. This can be seen in ISKCON temples all over the world. In Iskcon temples, women devotees also give discourse on literatures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. There are very few temples, maybe two or three, where women are not allowed.  And as discussed earlier, there are temples where men are also not allowed. So there is no specific gender discrimination.

Now let us go through few of the Vedic quotes on women.

 Vedic Quotes on Women

• Bhishma to Yuddhisthira: “O ruler of the earth the lineage in which daughters and the daughters-in-law are saddened by ill treatment, that lineage is destroyed. When out of their grief these women curse these households, such households lose their charm, prosperity and happiness.” (Mahabharata, Anushashanparva, 12.14).

• Vedas state that when a woman marries then 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”. (Atharva-Veda 14.1.43-44). 

And there are many such statements in the sacred book about women. So where is the discrimination against women?

Conclusion 

Those who are genuine and open minded after reading sacred Vedas conclude that Vedas do not discriminate women. During Vedic period women had equal rights as men. Today too those who sincerely follow Vedic teachings always respects women and never illtreat them.

Vedic scriptures consider men and women as equals. Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is our father and Vedas are our mother.

So how can a loving and caring father and a soft-hearted mother discriminate against their own children? 

What Vedas say about women? They should be honored.

If you read Vedas thoroughly you will find many texts wherein women have been glorified. Vedas does not discriminate against women. But instead say that women have an important role to play in the society and family.

However, there are so called scholars who say that Vedas denigrate women. According to them “any wrong happening in India especially against women is the outcome of Vedic culture.”

It seems that they have not read the Vedic literatures completely or are wilfully distorting the Vedic texts.  To substantiate their point, they selectively quote Vedas but mostly wrongly.  They argue that “Vedas treat women as a second-class citizen and the holy book justifies violence against women.”

It is no denying the fact that women in India, in rural as well as in urban areas, are often the victims of crimes. I too was confused and sometimes thought that there must be some truth in it. However, close scrutiny of Vedic literatures revealed something else.

Instead of denigrating women, the Vedic literatures give women a very respectable position in the society.

Vedic quotes on Women

Below are quotes from the scriptures, it can help us to understand Vedic perspective on women.

• “A 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 they are 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. In that family, where the husband is pleased with his wife and the wife with her husband, happiness will assuredly be lasting.” (Manusmriti: The Laws of Manu, Chapter 3, 55-60)

• Vedas state that when a woman marries then 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”. (Atharva-Veda 14.1.43-44)

These quotes echo that Vedas do not demonize women.

Sir Monier Monier-Williams (1860-1888) an Indologist and head of the Oxford’s Boden Chair, has written: “Indian wives often possess greater influence than wives of Europeans.”

Why Vedas are criticized?

Then why so much negative propaganda against Vedic literatures. Delving deep into history will help us to understand this. When Britishers set their foot to colonize India then they were amazed to see a society which was God – centered. The Indians had extraordinary faith in Vedas which they considered sacred and their lives revolved as per the injunctions of these literatures.

In spite of hundreds of years of Muslim subjugation, majority of the Indians did not compromise with their religious beliefs and remained Hindus. The Britishers wanted to know what these Vedas are and so they deputed Max Muller to translate these literatures which was in Sanskrit language into English.

Along with this Max Muller also had the responsibility to indoctrinate the Indians into believing that what they are revering is filled with filth. This would ensure that the Hindus would start doubting their sacrosanct Vedic literatures, would start feeling inferior and will then easily accept the doctrines of British Colonists.

Max Muller’s vicious agenda could be easily understood by the letters he wrote to his wife and to the Duke of Argyle.

To his wife he wrote: It (the Rig Veda) is the root of their religion and to show them what the root is, I feel sure, is the only way of uprooting all that has sprung from it during the last three thousand years.”

To the Duke he wrote: “The ancient religion of India is doomed. And if Christianity does not take its place, whose fault will it be?”

Vedic Historical facts have been undermined

During their reign in India, the Britishers continued their anti Vedic teachings. Among the Indians they only allowed those scholars to be part of the academic institutions who agreed with their viewpoints. These academicians who were picked and indoctrinated by the British Colonists continued dominating the educational institutions even after India achieved independence.

These academicians – historians, sociologists etc – formed a cartel wherein they never allowed those who disagreed with their opinions or tried to have a different perspective to be part of the mainstream academia.

The history textbooks in India misinterpret, misrepresent and misquote facts to present Vedas, ancient Vedic culture and Indian history in a biased way. Several of the facts as how Hindus were persecuted and how thousands of Hindu temples were razed have never found its place in the history textbooks.

For e.g. in Goa in 1560s AD several orders were passed (which are well documented) by Viceroy D Constantine de Braganca and Governor Antonio Morez Barreto to drive away Brahmins, to confiscate their properties and to forcibly convert the Hindus but these facts are rarely highlighted.

In the book “Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India”, Prof K.S. Lal, former chairman of the Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), specifies that Hindus were ruthlessly persecuted by the Muslim rulers and gives the figure that the Hindu population decreased by over 80 million from 1000 AD to 1500 AD.

However these facts and figures are never mentioned in the history textbooks and are never taught in schools and colleges. In fact today if anyone tries to speak about such misinterpretation of Indian history & Vedic literatures then they are immediately rebuked and are painted as sectarian, fascist, illogical and even unscientific.

Millions of women in India never lost faith in Vedas

But in spite of enormous negative campaign, Vedas did not lose its sheen. Women did not get disillusioned by Vedas because nothing obnoxious is there in holy Vedas.

This is why millions of women including those who are highly educated occupying important positions in the society respect Vedas. A woman since her childhood sees that the Indian society does not lampoon her. And she never feels that she is treated as a second class citizen.

She grows up hearing anecdotes of Mahabharata and Ramayan wherein women are often the central characters. She never finds that the scriptures promote, propagate and advocate physical or psychological violence against them.

At her home she finds that her mother plays a vital and central role in the family decision making process. She finds that the society derives inspiration from the lives of Mother Sita, Mother Yashoda, Draupadi and Kunti. Millions of Hindus revere and worship Goddess Lakshmi, Durga, Subhadra and Kali, the feminine divine form.

She reads about saint Mirabai, Maharani Laxmibhai, and several women who actively participated in India’s freedom struggle.

She thinks, “If Vedic culture were against women then how did these women gained so much prominence in Indian society.“

Vedas do not preach hatred; it’s a gross misrepresentation of truth. Vedas preaches all to live with love and harmony. If a person studies the Vedic literatures with an open mind then he will develop admiration for Vedic culture.

Crime against women is a fact in present day society

However there is no denying the fact that there are crimes against women in Indian society which needs urgent attention. The rape cases, dowry death, bride burning and other evils have penetrated Indian society. It is because people have given up Vedic way of life. Materialism which has spread its wings has created a godless culture.

It instigates people to satisfy their wanton desires by adopting any means. Close scrutiny would reveal that proponents of materialism in fact have no respect for women. They use women as a tool to further their business interests.

Scantly dressed women are used in advertisements to sell almost all the products – be it men’s shaving cream, a shoe polish, an electronic gadget, an air – conditioner or a tooth paste.

Crime against women is because people are not following Vedas

We do not find any instance in Vedic literatures wherein women were objectified or used as a commodity. If anyone tried to do so they were severely punished. Duryodhana, Dushasana and Karna had to pay with their life for insulting and disrespecting Draupadi.

Vedas say men and women are equal.  They are children of same God. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 14.4, ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā – I am the seed-giving father. He is the Supreme father of both men and women. So, men should not disrespect and exploit women. And women should also not disrespect and exploit men. But instead, they both should come together to create a beautiful world and live happily. Once this understanding develops, the exploitative mentality will stop.

The crime against women is not because of Vedas but it is because people are not following Vedas.

If we want to end all kinds of crime against women (or even against men) then we should endeavour to create God centered society as explained in Vedas.

Just making strict laws won’t end crimes completely. All over the world there are laws against murder, kidnapping, rape, theft etc. But still there are felons who commit such heinous deeds. So, there is a necessity of spiritualty.

When Vedas are honored Women live in honor

Spirituality helps to burn the seeds of sin which is the root cause of all sinful activities.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “The only way to permanently change the criminal habit is to change the heart of the criminal. As you well know, many thieves are arrested numerous times and put into jail. Although they know that if they commit theft they will go to jail, still they are forced to steal, because of their unclean hearts. Therefore without cleansing the heart of the criminal, you cannot stop crime simply by more stringent law enforcement. The thief and the murderer already know the law, yet they still commit violent crimes, due to their unclean hearts.”

So to uproot the problems completely, it is important to develop and nurture a God centered society. Vedas help in creating a God centered life.

In a God – centered society, a person cultivates genuine love for God which cleanses his heart. And it helps him to understand that all – men and women – are children of God.

In such a spiritual society both men and women will honor each other. Men will respect women as they respect their own mother, own sister and own daughter. And women too will respect men as they respect their own father, own brother and own son.  

If entire world starts following Vedic literatures, there will be no crime against women.

Women will be honoured everywhere when everyone will begin honouring the teachings of Vedas.

India’s #MeToo movement not answering all the questions

India’s #MeToo movement has arrived and is haunting the sexual predators who till few days back where the best known faces in India.  These culprits controlled the narratives and set the narratives. They presented themselves as most progressive, the torchbearers of modern day India who knew what the common man did not know. Some are famous comedians from AIB who cracked vulgar jokes, passed lewd comments, used abusive words and the top stars from the movie industry graced their shows. Any opposition to their brand of comedy immediately invited the wrath of the left liberals. They championed the cause of the women, advocated free sex and mocked those who loved to live a cultured life.

 

Media magnets, senior editors, reporters who write opinion pieces in the famous newspapers of India and teach us what is good for us and what is not good for us have now been exposed by women who once worked with them.  They have degrees from the best universities of the world, they work (or worked) at a very responsible positions but still they did not shy away from indulging in such heinous acts.  How can the Bollywood stars be left behind? Actors like Nana Patekar and Alok Nath who are inspiration for many budding actors have also been accused of sexual misconduct.

 

Every day or rather every hour one new incident is coming out wherein a woman is narrating how she was sexually exploited by men in power.

 

Whether all these allegations are true or not it is for the investigative agencies to determine but all the allegations are not false either. Many men accepted their misconduct and offered apology. Chetan Bhagat, one of the best-selling authors of India, accepted the charge and said sorry for his behavior.  In many of the cases the victims have posted the vulgar messages which were sent to them by the sex maniacs. AIB comics Tanmay Bhat and Utsav Chakraborty famous for their indecent comedy got completely exposed and their shows have been cancelled. Men from media like Mayank Jain of Business Standard, Prashant Jha of Hindustan Times and others  have been forced to quit or sent on leave till further notice for similar offences.

 

Many are lauding the courage shown by the women in naming and shaming their sexual harassers.  But India’s #MeToo movement is not answering all the questions.  One question which is pertinent to ask here is why at first place did it happen? What emboldened the men to indulge in such a crime? Was it possible for the victims to protect themselves from the vultures?

 

First I believe we should reconsider the meaning of ‘success.’ One of the victims while narrating her ordeal mentioned that “I was a successful woman. I smoked and I drank.”  Her statement imply that a successful woman smokes and drink or if you are not drinking and smoking then you are not sufficiently successful.  If one have such a definition of success then there is a great possibility that they will expose themselves to men having questionable character. There are many women who are successful but does not indulge in smoking and drinking and most importantly knows where to draw the line.

 

The vulgar shows of AIB were lauded by so called eminent people and so young boys and girls trying hard to be part of the modern society got forced to like such programs. When such men find that their substandard jokes laced with vulgarity gives them instant success they muster courage to send vulgar messages to innocent girls.

 

This world is filled with good people, not so good people and terrible people. One need to be careful and take all precautionary measures at first place so that people with wrong intention do not get a chance to take undue advantage of them. 

 

Competence without good character does not make a good person.  This is why Indian tradition based on teachings of Vedic books not just laid emphasis on material knowledge but also gave great emphasis on character building. And the society never judged a person based on his/her material achievements but his/her overall conduct also mattered a lot.

 

So those who drink, watch porn and crack vulgar jokes are not progressive whether they are media personalities, business tycoons, movie stars, famous comedians or people from any other field. There are great chances that such people are pervert or on the path of being one.

 

It is important that we as a society introspect and purge the evil forces who bring disgrace to humanity. This could be possible if we start leading a principle centred life and in the name of modernity do not compromise with our values.