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Line 1: − {{NeedCitation}}+ − A Brahmavadini (Samskrit ब्रह्मवादिनी) is a highly intelligent and greatly learned woman, who chose the path of Vedic studies as against the grhasthaashrama. Brahmavadini literally means ‘the woman who speaks about Brahman (ब्रह्मन् Parabrahma or Vedanta)’. The ancient philosophical concept of ''<nowiki/>'shakti','' the feminine principle of energy, extolls the immense mental and physical capabilities of women. + Line 24:
Line 24: − − == Women in Rigveda == − At least twenty different women are credited as the mantra drashtas of Rigveda. A few of the noted include, Vishvavara, Shikata, Nivavari, Ghosha, Romasaa, Lopamudra, Apaalaa, and Urvashi. Line 34:
Line 31: − + − '''Maitreyi''' - The Brhadāranyaka Upaniṣad calls Maitreyi, wife of Yājñavalkya maharshi, as a ‘brahmavādinī’. Yājñavalkya had two wives Maitreyi and Katyayani. Once when he intended to provide for their essential material things in his absence, Maitreyi, disregarding the short-lived transient material wealth, asked him to endow them with the long lasting Knowledge that gives them Ultimate Happiness or Sasvata Ananda. She then learns and engages in Vedanta discussions with her husband Yājñavalkya maharshi. + + + + + + + Line 49:
Line 52: − + − − == सद्योवधुः Sadyovadhu == − ‘Sadyovadhus’ were those who became vadhus or brides straight-away, (sadyas = at once) on the attainment of puberty, without undergoing the training in the Vedic studies. In their case, the upanayana ceremony was performed just before marriage, at the age of 16 or 17. The education of sadyovadhus comprised the study of important veda mantras and stotras necessary for the usual prayers and yajnas after marriage.<ref name=":0" />Music and dance were also taught to them them; partiality of women to these arts is often referred to in the vedic literature. − Brhadāranyaka Upaniṣad 4.5.1 The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore −
Brahmavadinis (ब्रह्मवादिन्यः) (view source)
Revision as of 21:36, 18 June 2019
, 21:36, 18 June 2019→Women in Rigveda
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A Brahmavadini (Samskrit : ब्रह्मवादिनी) is a highly intelligent and greatly learned woman, who chose the path of Vedic studies as against the grhasthaashrama. Brahmavadini literally means ‘the woman who speaks about Brahman (ब्रह्मन् । Parabrahma or Vedanta)’. The ancient philosophical concept of shakti'','' the feminine principle of energy, extols the immense mental and physical capabilities of women.
''<nowiki/>''
While many civilizations have seen unsatisfactory history as regards the position of women, we find that Vedas mention the scholarship of educated women like Vaak Ambhrni''',''' Romasa''',''' Gargi, Ghosha, Maitreyi and Lopamudra. Women, as we go back into antiquity, are found to have performed very well in many spheres of life.
While many civilizations have seen unsatisfactory history as regards the position of women, we find that Vedas mention the scholarship of educated women like Vaak Ambhrni''',''' Romasa''',''' Gargi, Ghosha, Maitreyi and Lopamudra. Women, as we go back into antiquity, are found to have performed very well in many spheres of life.
Same was the case of Tara, the wife of Vali, at the time he left for the fateful duel with Sugriva. Shri Rama's wife Sita also performed the sandhya activities during the days of her captivity in Lanka is evident by the following sloka<blockquote>सन्ध्याकालमनाः श्यामा ध्रुवमेष्यति जानकी। नदीं चेमां शुभजलां सन्ध्यार्थे वरवर्णिनी।।5.14.49।। (Valm. Rama.5.14.49)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=5&language=dv&field_sarga_value=14 Sundarakanda Sarga 14])</ref></blockquote>
Same was the case of Tara, the wife of Vali, at the time he left for the fateful duel with Sugriva. Shri Rama's wife Sita also performed the sandhya activities during the days of her captivity in Lanka is evident by the following sloka<blockquote>सन्ध्याकालमनाः श्यामा ध्रुवमेष्यति जानकी। नदीं चेमां शुभजलां सन्ध्यार्थे वरवर्णिनी।।5.14.49।। (Valm. Rama.5.14.49)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=5&language=dv&field_sarga_value=14 Sundarakanda Sarga 14])</ref></blockquote>
== Upanayana of Girls ==
== Upanayana of Girls ==
Rarely we see some Rig veda followers still practice the Upanayana samskara and wearing of yajnopaveeta for female children even in the present day.
Rarely we see some Rig veda followers still practice the Upanayana samskara and wearing of yajnopaveeta for female children even in the present day.
== ब्रह्मवादिनी Brahmavadini ==
== ब्रह्मवादिनी ॥ Brahmavadini ==
Brahmavādinīs underwent the sacrament of upanayana, kept the Vedic fires, studied the Vedas under their own father and lived by begging the food, also under the parental roof. They had samāvartana (valedictory rite at the end of the period of Vedic studies) also. They could then marry and settle down in life. The name ‘brahmavādinī’ seems to have been given due to the fact that the girl could recite (vad = to speak or recite) the Vedas (Brahma = Veda).
Brahmavādinīs underwent the sacrament of upanayana, kept the Vedic fires, studied the Vedas under their own father and lived by begging the food, also under the parental roof. They had samāvartana (valedictory rite at the end of the period of Vedic studies) also. They could then marry and settle down in life. The name ‘brahmavādinī’ seems to have been given due to the fact that the girl could recite (vad = to speak or recite) the Vedas (Brahma = Veda).
These learned women were interested in discussing about ब्रह्मन् or Parabrahman, the Absolute, and perform spiritual practices to realize the same.
These learned women were interested in discussing about ब्रह्मन् or Parabrahman, the Absolute, and perform spiritual practices to realize the same.
== सद्योवधुः ॥ Sadyovadhu ==
‘Sadyovadhus’ were those who became vadhus or brides straight-away, (sadyas = at once) on the attainment of puberty, without undergoing the training in the Vedic studies. In their case, the upanayana ceremony was performed just before marriage, at the age of 16 or 17. The education of sadyovadhus comprised the study of important veda mantras and stotras necessary for the usual prayers and yajnas after marriage.<ref name=":0" />Music and dance were also taught to them them; partiality of women to these arts is often referred to in the vedic literature.
== Women in Rigveda ==
At least twenty different women are credited as the mantra drashtas of Rigveda. A few of the noted include, Vishvavara, Shikata, Nivavari, Ghosha, Romasaa, Lopamudra, Apaalaa, and Urvashi.
=== र्मैत्रेयी ॥ Maitreyi ===
The Brhadaranyaka Upaniṣad (4.5.1) calls Maitreyi, wife of Yājñavalkya maharshi, as a ‘brahmavādinī’. Yājñavalkya had two wives Maitreyi and Katyayani. <blockquote>अथ ह याज्ञवल्क्यस्य द्वे भार्ये बभूवतुर्मैत्रेयी च कात्यायनी च । तयोर्ह मैत्रेयी ब्रह्मवादिनी बभूव । (Brhd. Upan. 4.5.1)<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_4p Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>Once when he intended to adopt the fourth ashrama, he wanted to make a settlement of worldly things between Maitreyi and Katyayani. Maitreyi, disregarding the short-lived transient material wealth, asked him to endow them with the long lasting Knowledge that gives them Ultimate Happiness or Sasvata Ananda. She then learns and engages in Vedanta discussions with her husband Yājñavalkya (See [[Yajnavalkya Maitreyi samvada (याज्ञवल्क्यमैत्रेय्योः संवादः)|Yajnavalkya Maitreyi Samvada]]).
'''Gargi''' - She, a very learned scholar, was the daughter of Vachakna rushi, belonging to the lineage of Garga maharshi. She acquired knowledge of the Vedas and scriptures and became renowned for her proficiency in these fields of philosophy, surpassing men in her knowledge. Her philosophical views also find mention in the Chandogya Upanishad. Gargi, as Brahmavaadini, composed several hymns in Rigveda (in X 39. V.28) that questioned the origin of all existence.
'''Gargi''' - She, a very learned scholar, was the daughter of Vachakna rushi, belonging to the lineage of Garga maharshi. She acquired knowledge of the Vedas and scriptures and became renowned for her proficiency in these fields of philosophy, surpassing men in her knowledge. Her philosophical views also find mention in the Chandogya Upanishad. Gargi, as Brahmavaadini, composed several hymns in Rigveda (in X 39. V.28) that questioned the origin of all existence.
'''Romasa''' - Romasa was one of the woman seers to whom hymns of the Rig Veda were revealed. She was a Brahmavadini who underwent the upanayana or thread ceremony, Vedic study and Savitri Vachana (higher studies). She revealed the 126th hymn of the first book of the Rig Veda. Numerous mantras of Sama Veda are also attributed to Romasha. Romasa was said to be the daughter of Brihaspati and the wife of King Swanaya Bhawayabya.
'''Romasa''' - Romasa was one of the woman seers to whom hymns of the Rig Veda were revealed. She was a Brahmavadini who underwent the upanayana or thread ceremony, Vedic study and Savitri Vachana (higher studies). She revealed the 126th hymn of the first book of the Rig Veda. Numerous mantras of Sama Veda are also attributed to Romasha. Romasa was said to be the daughter of Brihaspati and the wife of King Swanaya Bhawayabya.
'''Ghosha''' - She is revered as a rishika, who was the daughter of Rishi Kakshivan (a descendent of Angiras) and granddaughter of Dirgatamas. As she suffered from a skin ailment(leprosy) from childhood she was unable to get married. She dutifully served her father but continuously prayed to the Ashvini Kumars the divine physicians who were endowed with the power of rejuvenation. Pleased with her deep and sincere prayers the Ashvini Kumars taught her Madhu Vidya, the Science of secret learning which granted her youth and great knowledge and cured her of her ailment due to which she subsequently got a worthy husband. She composed two Rig Veda hymns 39, 49 of Mandal ten each containing 14 verses. The first eulogises the Asvini Devatas and the second is a personal wish expressing her intimate desires and feelings for married life. Her son Suhastya also composed a hymn in the Rig Veda.
'''Ghosha''' - She is revered as a rishika, who was the daughter of Rishi Kakshivan (a descendent of Angiras) and granddaughter of Dirgatamas. As she suffered from a skin ailment(leprosy) from childhood she was unable to get married. She dutifully served her father but continuously prayed to the Ashvini Kumars the divine physicians who were endowed with the power of rejuvenation. Pleased with her deep and sincere prayers the Ashvini Kumars taught her [[Madhuvidya (मधुविद्या)|Madhu Vidya]], the Science of secret learning which granted her youth and great knowledge and cured her of her ailment due to which she subsequently got a worthy husband. She composed two Rig Veda hymns 39, 49 of Mandal ten each containing 14 verses. The first eulogises the Asvini Devatas and the second is a personal wish expressing her intimate desires and feelings for married life. Her son Suhastya also composed a hymn in the Rig Veda.
'''Vaak Ambhrni''' - She is the daughter of Rishi Ambhruna was another famous woman seer of Vedic times. The Devi Sukta in the Rig Veda is attributed to her. She became a Seer inspired with the knowledge of the Self through whom the Goddess Vak proclaimed her own glory. The Devi Sukta is also known as Ambhrni Sukta and it consists of 8 verses and is dedicated to Vak(speech).This hymn is recited at the end of the recitation of Devi Mahatmyam and it sprang forth from the deep recesses of her heart when she was in communion with Brahman. It occurs in the 10th Mandala as Suktam number 125.
'''Vaak Ambhrni''' - She is the daughter of Rishi Ambhruna was another famous woman seer of Vedic times. The Devi Sukta in the Rig Veda is attributed to her. She became a Seer inspired with the knowledge of the Self through whom the Goddess Vak proclaimed her own glory. The Devi Sukta is also known as Ambhrni Sukta and it consists of 8 verses and is dedicated to Vak(speech).This hymn is recited at the end of the recitation of Devi Mahatmyam and it sprang forth from the deep recesses of her heart when she was in communion with Brahman. It occurs in the 10th Mandala as Suktam number 125.
== References ==
== References ==
''<nowiki/>''
''<nowiki/>''
[[Category:Vedas]]
[[Category:Vedas]]
[[Category:Education Series]]
[[Category:Education Series]]