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During the Vedic age, women were assigned a high place in society. They shared an equal standing with their men folk and enjoyed a great liberty that actually had societal sanctions. Women were examples for maintaining the basic principles of Santhana Dharma. After completing their education under a Guru they could perform religious rites.

During the Vedic age, women were assigned a high place in society. They shared an equal standing with their men folk and enjoyed a great liberty that actually had societal sanctions. Women were examples for maintaining the basic principles of Santhana Dharma. After completing their education under a Guru they could perform religious rites.

While brahmavadinis chose the path of Vedic studies, women who opted out of education for married life were called 'sadyovadhus'.

While brahmavadinis chose the path of Vedic studies, women who opted out of education for married life were called 'sadyovadhus'.

‘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.  

‘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.  

The wife was a regular participator in the yajnas of the husband as mentioned in the Rigveda mantras (1.122.2; 1.131.3; 3.53.4-6; 5.43.15; 8.31.5; 10.86.10; etc.). It is evident that some knowledge of Vedic rituals was essential to participate in the yajnas.<ref name=":8">Mookerji. Radha Kumud, (1947) Ancient Indian Education (Brahminical and Buddhist) London: MacMillan And Co., Ltd. (Page 51)</ref>  

The wife was a regular participator in the yajnas of the husband as mentioned in the Rigveda mantras (1.122.2; 1.131.3; 3.53.4-6; 5.43.15; 8.31.5; 10.86.10; etc.). It is evident that some knowledge of Vedic rituals was essential to participate in the yajnas. The Srauta or Grhya Sutras mention Vedic Mantras being uttered by the wife at ceremonies along with her husband [e.g. Asvalayana Srautasutras i, ii; Gobhila Grhyasutras, i, 3 ; ii, 3 ; Apastamba xii, 3, 12 ; Paraskara Sutras., ix, 2, i]. Gobhila [Grhyasutras i, 3] states that the wife should be educated to be able to take part in yajnas (''nahi khalu anadhitya saknoti patni hotumiti''). Hemadri states that “ Kumaris, unmarried girls, should be taught Vidya and Dharmaniti. An educated Kumari brings good to the families of both her father and husband. So she should be married to a learned husband [manlshi), as she is a vidushi.”<ref>Mookerji. Radha Kumud, (1947) Ancient Indian Education (Brahminical and Buddhist) London: MacMillan And Co., Ltd. (Page 51 and 208, 209)</ref>  

== ब्रह्मवादिनी  ॥ Brahmavadini ==

== ब्रह्मवादिनी  ॥ Brahmavadini ==

Women-seers were called Rishikas and Brahmavadinis. The Rigveda knows of the following rshikas, viz.<ref name=":8" />

Women-seers were called Rishikas and Brahmavadinis. The Rigveda knows of the following rshikas, viz.<ref name=":8">Mookerji. Radha Kumud, (1947) Ancient Indian Education (Brahminical and Buddhist) London: MacMillan And Co., Ltd. (Page 51)</ref>

# Romasa [1.126.7]

# Romasa [1.126.7]