The Hindu dharma is criticised for mistreating women, and Western intellectuals and communists have misled the globe and the current generation by ignoring the facts and analysis. Globally, this has had a detrimental effect on women’s perspectives, and the adoption of Western feminine culture has actually made matters worse for women. Even though she is thriving materially, the heavenly leadership and position that allowed them to create the Vedas, family structures, and wonderful culture have now been neglected and are simply viewed as objects of sexual appeal.
The social, political, economic, and cultural life of women—especially Hindu women—gradually deteriorated between the first Muslim invasion in the ninth century and the second invasion in the eleventh. Among the biggest social problems of the post-Vedic era were polygamy, child marriage, purdah pratha, sati pratha, and other customs. Women’s standing declined from divine being to object of fulfilment as we progressed from the Vedic to the post-Vedic and Mughal eras. The Mughal era marked the beginning of gender discrimination against women. During this period, discrimination was so pervasive that female family members were denied even the most fundamental liberties. Even during the British era, this situation continued.
Western Concept Vs Vedic Concept
Vedic feminism transcends the issues of contemporary feminism seen in other parts of the world. The modern version of the militant movement that started in the west to advocate women’s equality stands in sharp contrast to Vedic feminism. A fundamental spiritual worldview that envisions complete equality between men and women in all facets of life and existence sets apart the Vedic stance on feminism. The Vedic perspective on feminism is neither radical nor exclusive. Additionally, Vedic feminism represents a constructive and complementary, positive and participatory, and healthy and comprehensive view of the needs and goals of a gender-just and equitable society.
Vedic philosophy holds that there is no spiritual distinction between males and women. Moreover, women and men are two equal parts that the Supreme Being created; there is no better or worse half. Furthermore, a fundamental component of Vedic philosophy is the concept that represents gender equality. The latter concepts of prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness) in Samkhya philosophy very clearly articulate this philosophical foundation. In the context of the Vedas, the idea of Ardhanarishvarain does not distinguish between men and women. Since neither can exist without the other, it shows a relationship that is completely inseparable.
Women who have realized the mantras are described in the Vedas as seers. We refer such these women as Rishikas. More than 28 Rishikas are found in the Vedic hymns, including Suryaa, Apala, Atreyi, Vishvavara, Shachi, and Indrani. The Vedas also feature a number of female deities, including Aditi, Kuhu, Saraswati, and Usha.
Feminism is typically understood as a collection of women’s goals for equal rights and opportunity. “As we move forward, are we talking about women as spiritual beings or women as just bodies?” In contrast to Vedic feminism, which addresses women spiritually as well as socially, empirically, and familially, contemporary Western feminism only addresses women as physical creatures. In the Vedic conception of feminism, women are respected from both a spiritual and a familial perspective. Conversely, in today’s consumerist society, the Western version of feminism objectifies women.
It is difficult to talk about the dignified manner of women portrayed in Vedic literature because Western feminism objectifies women to such an extent. The modern viewpoint is narrow and disjointed, while the Vedic vision is inclusive and holistic. Complementarities and cooperation between the sexes are inherently motivated in the Vedic paradigm. Modern feminism is confrontational, placing women and men on a hostile stage. The modern view of feminism is individualistic, while the Vedic view is focused on the family. The current viewpoint is rights-oriented, while the Vedic viewpoint is duty-oriented.
Bhishma Pitamaha also said: “The teacher who teaches true knowledge is more important than ten instructors. The father is more important than ten such teachers of true knowledge and the mother is more important than ten such fathers. There is no greater guru than mother.” (Mahabharata, Shantiparva, 30.9)
The coupling of the Vedic male Gods with a female counterpart is frequent in the Vedic tradition, integrating both sets of powers and traits that each would have. This can be seen in Radha-Krishna, Sita-Rama, Lakshmi-Vishnu, Durga-Shiva, Sarasvati-Brahma, Indrani-Indra, and so on. As a result, we have a combination of masculine and female Divinities who provide total balance in divine spiritual forces.
The masculine and feminine natures, which are most apparent in male-female partnerships, must be balanced. Real spiritual development, when both the masculine and feminine natures become balanced and complementary rather than competitive, is the most effective way to achieve this. This can assist in balancing the feminine and masculine traits that each person, including men and women, have as well as their external interactions. Through true spiritual growth, we can transcend our physical, material identities and work with and enhance the skills and capacities of others, regardless of gender. We have to realize that every body has a spirit soul that is the same as our own. However, we may cooperate for our survival and harmony while we are in this world and in various body forms, and we can employ our innately varied abilities together. Women are the embodiment of great knowledge and virtue, according to the Vedas, a collection of old Sanskrit hymns and chants that impart the vid, or wisdom, of the ancient sages.
“O scholarly woman, the way a river breaks away mightiest of hills and rocks, the scholarly woman destroys myths and hypes through her intellect alone. May we bow to women through our polite words and noble actions.” — Rigveda 6.61.2
“A scholarly woman, the entire life of society depends upon you. You provide us the right knowledge. May you bring knowledge to all segments of society.” — Rigveda 2.41.17
The Vedas also place a high value on female child education. Believing that each human is equal, Vedic literature not only encourages women and girls to be scholarly, but also stresses that it is each parent’s responsibility to guarantee that their daughter is brought up and educated with great effort and care. After all, as stated in the Devi Mahatmya (a holy treatise extolling the Goddess’s glories), “all forms of knowledge are aspects of Thee, and all women throughout the world are Thy forms.”
In regards to this, the Rig Veda states:
“Parents should gift their daughter intellectuality and power of knowledge when she leaves for the husband’s home. They should give her a dowry of knowledge.” — Rig 10.85.7
It was not only recorded in the Shastras, but it was also a natural phenomena and behavior of Hindu society at the time. Because we, the Bharatiya, continue to uphold our Sanatan Dharma ideals, which make us unique in the world for respecting and honoring our women as divine form, women in Bharat continue to demonstrate excellence in all spheres of life. Instead of focusing on the western culture, which only views women from the perspective of material life, let’s see the differences and return to our Sanatan roots.
