Vedic Women in the Modern Context : A Brief Discussion/ আধুনিক প্রেক্ষাপটে বৈদিক নারী : একটি সংক্ষিপ্ত আলোচনা

Abstract

It is true that the position of women in ancient Indian society was very concerning, but it is not entirely true. In Vedic society, women are seen to be worshipped with special respect. According to the Manu, the creator of the world, in order to prosper the world, created half of his body as a man and half as a woman (Manusaṃhitᾱ - 1/32). It is true that there has been a lot of progress in people's thinking about the status of women nowadays. The increased participation of women in fields such as economy, politics, education, health, science, sports, and art has strengthened their social status. But the question arises can the status of women that we are observing today be called an improvement in their social status at all? From a historical perspective, it would probably not be appropriate to say this. Because the status of women observed in the Vedic era is no different from the current picture.

         Although the society of the Rgveda was essentially patriarchal, there, along with sons, daughters were also educated with equal rights, which resulted in the names of female sages like Ghoṣa (1/117/7), Apᾱlᾱ (8/91/1), Viśvavᾱrᾱ (5/28), and vᾱk (10/125) who are the authors of many mantras of the Rgveda.

          The Upanayana system was prevalent among women of the Vedic age, that is, women of the three castes (Brᾱhmaṇa, Kṣatriya and Vaiśya) according to the scriptures. There is no doubt that the female sages of the Vedic age were scholars. The sixth Brᾱhmaṇa (3/6/1) of the third chapter of the Bṛhadᾱraṇyaka Upaniṣad records two important debates between the Gᾱrgī and Yᾱjñavalkya.

           In the Vedic age, the position of courtesans along with that of noble women was not very bad. At that time, courtesans were highly educated and they earned their own living. Vedic women were relatively independent. They did not marry before puberty. Women could choose their own life partners. In the Rgveda, the purity of fire is compared to the purity of women. In the Śatapatha Brᾱhmaṇa, the important role of women in the yajña is clearly mentioned. Mudgalᾱnī, Biśpalᾱ etc, there are many examples of women's extraordinary bravery and warlike deeds on the battlefield. The role of the messenger in social diplomacy is undeniable. This position is seen to be adorned by Vedic women Saramᾱ.

           So our idea that women became aware of their rights for the first time in this century, that they were previously prisoners of oppression, is not correct. In the Vedic age, women were established in their own glory. In the post-vedic age, the condition of women began to deteriorate. Although fewer in number, women have been seen as examples of progressive thinking in the past as well. Even today, they are establishing themselves through various adversities, which will further strengthen their path in the future.