Glory of Women in Vedic Period

Post Written by Payal Singh.

Today, our society is called as ‘Male Dominated Society’. The most famous topics in internet are gender discrimination, inequality in education and etc. Our morning starts with the news of rape, murder, molestation, domestic violence, sexual harassment and bla bla bla!

Are these incidents happening since our ancient age? The answer is: No.

Since the ancient age to the Vedic period, women were graced with respect, dignity and equality.

Examples of Gender Equality 

in Purana

If we go back to Purans, there every God was shown in consort of their wives(Brahma with Saraswati, Vishnu with Lakshmi and Shiva with Parvati). Idols of god and goddess were depicted with equal importance to both genders.

Even in the practice of Homa (ritual involving fire, and offerings to fire), every mantra or Shloka is addressed to Swaha, the wife of Agni, instead of Agni himself. This aspect of Swaha as Agni's wife is mentioned in Mahabharata, Brahmavantara, Purana, Bhagavata Purana as various hymns.

Position of Women in the Hindu Dharma

The roots of Hindu religion are in the Aryan society of the patriarchal system. The family unit was regarded as the significant one. Women were provided freedom. In the Hindu Dharma, there is prevalence of the viewpoint that man and woman represent the two aspects of one person. Scriptures says that Lord Shiva consists of the body in two halves, one is of the male and the other is of the female which is known as Ardhanarishvara.

The Women Educational Structure of 

Vedic Era

Women, in the Vedic era, so excelled in the sphere of education that even the deity of learning was conceived of as a female popularly known as ‘Saraswati’. Girls were allowed to enter into the Gurukulas along with boys. Co-education of boys and girls (going through Upanayana and Bramacharya) was the rule. The Atharva Veda and Upanishada mentioned girls as ‘Brahmacharini’.

(‘ब्रह्मचर्येण कन्या युवानं विन्दते पतिम्’ | A youthful girl who graduates from Brahmacharya, obtains a suitable husband. — Atharva Veda.)

There were also instances of female Rishis, such as Ghosa, Kakhivati Surya Savitri, Indrani, Shradha, Kamayani, Yami, Shachi, Poulomi, Urvashi etc. The scholarly women were classified into two categories:

The Brahmavadinis: who did not marry and acquired knowledge of the Vedas throughout their lives. They were the life-long students of philosophy and theology.

The Sadyodvahas: who studied the Vedas, till they get married by the age of 15 or 16 years.

The women, who studied the Vedas, were known as Paninis. The female teachers were called upadhyaya or upadhyayi.

Feminine Freedom to Showcase Skills 

and 

Talents in Rig Vedic Age

In the Rig Vedic period the women not only composed hymns but also learnt music and dancing. The women, belonging to lower strata or caste also mastered the skills of spinning, weaving, embroidery and needlework. There were many women poets and philosophers during this period. The Vedic period, witnessed many capable women like Apala, Ghosha and Visvavara, who performed the job duties of composing the mantras and rose to the rank of the sages or rishis. Lopamudra is one of the female teachers of this period. Yajunvalykya had imparted divine knowledge to Maitrey and she had not only been able to comprehend high philosophy but had also acquired divine knowledge.

Social Recognition of Women in Veda

Religion has a strong hold over any society. It acquaints a person with his identity, people, culture and traditions. It teaches him his way of life. Women enjoyed social recognition and were placed equivalent to men in social and religious ceremonies. Religious rituals performed by men were considered as incomplete in the absence of their wives. Men and women equally participated in Vedic rituals. Atharva Veda suggested men to make their wives equally participate in yagya and other rituals. Women were not considered as ‘weaker sex’ who could not participate in religious rituals.

The Portrayal of Vedic Marriage

The couple prayed that their love and friendship should not break down. The Vedic literature also contained that the Kshatriya girls were allowed to settle marriages in accordance with their own wishes. This was done through the custom of ‘swayamwar’ or self-choice. This is an indicator of their dignified status in the Vedic society. Atharva Veda proclaims equality between husband and wife in marital life.

In Mahabharata, the story of Draupadi's marriage to 5 men is a case in point. This pointed to the fact that polygamy was matched with polyandry during the Vedic era. Women could select their husband in an assembly called 'swayamwar'.

The Concept of Dampati or “two joint owners of the household”

The ritual of ‘daan’ or gift was prevalent in the Vedic period. But the practice of dowry was unknown. The wife held an honorable position in the household. She enjoyed freedom of movement and was not confined to the house only. In religious performances, the wife occupied a prominent position. Even the performance of certain ceremonies was invalid without the wife.’ Monogamy was the form of marriage during the Vedic days. The term ‘Dampati’ was frequently used in the Vedic texts. The term meant “two joint owners of the household.”

Women as Warriors in Rig Veda

Women have also been quoted as warriors in Rig Veda. Women were trained to become warriors. The period mentions gallant women combatants who fought with valour in the battle field. We thus hear of Mudgalini winning a battle, Vishpala who lost her leg and Vadhrimati who lost her hand in battle. Vadhrimati and Sasiyasi are also mentioned for their heroism in the battlefield. Rig-Vedic period reflects a relatively egalitarian society where hierarchy on the basis of socio-economic factors, castes and gender did not thrive.

The Conclusion

This glorious Vedic era was existed more than 3,000 years ago where rules were more and crime was lesser unlike today. 

All good rules were made to make a peaceful kingdom but only the dark sides of all remained like the ritual of ‘Daan Pratha’ or exchanging gifts during the marriage turned into the evil custom of dowry which has taken many bride’s life in last few years and still kept on taking! Thousands of soldiers are dying in the borders to save our country but who will make those miscreants understand that violence against a woman is pandemic? It just taking this society and civilization a step ahead towards the end.