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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.   

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 (page 45 of PE), and Urvashi.

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 ===

=== 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]]).  

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.   

 

 

 

'''Lopamudra''' - Lopamudra was the wife of Sage Agasthya.  He was a great sage and a man of extraordinary spiritual power. Once it is said that when he was visiting heaven he saw his deceased ancestors with their head downwards. This was a sign of them going to hell. Agasthya was disturbed and when asked them the reason, they said that there was no lineage to continue as he was not married and had no child hence it was Agasthya’s fault. For this purpose he embarked on an unusual course of action. By his yogic powers he created a female who would possess all those characteristics and virtues that would be appropriate in the wife of a renunciate. Meanwhile the King of Vidharbha was noble and virtuous but being childless he was undertaking penances for the gift of a child. Agasthya through his divine powers came to know the plight of the King and arranged for the child to be born as his daughter. The child was named Lopamudra and she grew up in the lap of luxury with the best possible education. When she grew up and reached marriageable age Agasthya approached the King and asked for her hand in marriage. The King was stunned as Agasthya was a renunciate but Lopamudra was insistent that he accept the proposal. Already understanding his daughter’s strength of mind and character, the King agreed and Lopamudra left the riches of the palace to live in the forest at the hermitage of Agasthya. She was a dutiful wife and obeyed his every wish and served him faithfully. When Agasthya told her that he could never give her a royal life Lopamudra asked him to give her the wealth of his knowledge. Lopamudra is said to have written a two stanza hymn asking for Agasthya‘s love and attention as he was always immersed in his austerities.  The Rig Veda includes long dialogues between Agasthya and Lopamudra which reflects on the great intelligence and character of Lopamudra. It is said that both of them together were renowned for spreading the eminence of the Lalitha Sahasranama which is the thousand names of the Divine Mother.  It is said that Lopamudra has reincarnated as the sacred river Kaveri in present times.  

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. Pages 651, 128. 162

'''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'''

'''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.

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. Page 291 of PE

'''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.

[[Category:Vedas]]

[[Category:Vedas]]

[[Category:Education Series]]

[[Category:Education Series]]