Women in HinduismWomen in Hinduism have a rich past. In ancient India, women were treated equal to men and in fact they were considered superior to men in many aspects. It is indeed remarkable to note that the word for strength, virility and power in Hindu culture is represented by the feminine “Shakti”. Shakti is the all prevailing universal manifestation of the feminine and she is worshiped as the goddess of strength, valour and power in Hinduism. All male power is said to be derived from this universal power and strength of the feminine principle. As per Hindu Mythology and literature kings and towns were completely destroyed because a single woman was wronged by the state or the people in power. Examples are Ravana in the epic called Ramayana and the Kauravas in Mahabharatha. Women in Hinduism: Role of women in ancient Hinduism The ancient history and the origins of Hinduism can be traced from the Vedic times. This was a golden period when women and men had equal rights in all aspects of life including education and religion. There were great women scholars who mastered the Vedas and in fact the creation of the Vedas itself was a joint effort of women and men rishis. The Vedas and Upanishads the first and foremost sacred texts of Hinduism mention in detail various rituals involving women as well as the contributions of women scholars and philosophers of those times. Women in Hinduism: The creation of caste sysetm and degradation of the status of women Later history and the creation of the caste system in fact became the bane of Hinduism. Later texts like the Manusmriti which were created to enforce the brahmanical order systematically degraded the role of women in Hindu society. Texts like Manusmriti cannot match the sacred texts like the Vedas and Upanishads but still they had a deep impact on the society. It’s not that this and the similar kind of later texts which are together called the “smritis” are completely junk but we have to accept that it contained lot of rubbish as per the standards of today’s society. There is no second opinion on the fact that women faced most of the burnt from the thinking and practice based on these later texts. Women became subordinate to men, they were always to be in control of men either in the form of a father, husband, brother or son. They were barred from education and overt religious practices and their socio-cultural role was also diminished considerably in various ways. This was in fact very ironical because on one hand still the feminine and the women power was worshiped in the form of goddess but the actual social situation of women was far inferior and pathetic. Though many aspects of later Hinduism were not congenial to women, still as a ancient and old religion the strength of Hinduism was its ability to adopt and change according to the times and this ensured that despite quite a bit of negativity and discrimination women in Hinduism evolved and positively contributed to society for their own benefit as well as the overall benefit of the society and the community. Further to understand the role of Women in Hinduism there are many topics and issues which need to be analyzed and studied in detail. These include
1. Women in Hinduism: Hindu view on the Woman As I said before, despite the latter developments in Hinduism which were never encouraging, exceptional contributions from "women in Hinduism" took place throughout its history. Whether it was the contributions from ordinary women or from the queens, warriors, artists and philosophers, "history, mythology and literature" are testimony to the fact that women played an important role in the evolution of Hinduism as a religion. These contributions from women are now increasing many folds in every aspect of life and that’s why even today Hinduism is one of the most fluid, ever adapting religions of the world. Article by Sanjay Nair ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Once in a month synopsis of all new page additions: Dear friends,
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