17/02/09

Women in Hinduism: Part-2

Raju Maliger

In my previous article, I had refuted Abul Kasem’s derogatory views on women in Vedic
culture. In this article, I would like to emphasize on how Vedas glorify Mother Goddess
and women.

When we enter Hindu temples, it is a blissful scene to observe a female deity worshipped
alongside a male deity. Common examples of such deities are Vishnu-Lakshmi, Radha-
Krishna, and Shiva-Parvati. Vedas consider male and female of all forms of life as the
inseparable wheels of a cart. In the last 2000 years, two Semitic religions have destroyed
innumerable civilizations, religions, and cultures that worshipped nature and Mother
Goddess. Hinduism is the last of such religions that has survived the test of time despite
facing vociferous attacks from such cults. From time immemorial, Mother Goddess has
been worshipped as Shakti (power) and Annapurna (provider of food). Gayatri Devi, who
is revered as the MOTHER of all Vedas, is worshipped in four forms: (1) Satyavati (2)
Angavati (3) Anyavati (4) Nidhanavati. It is a well known fact that most of the Indian
rivers bear feminine names. Some of the common examples are Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu,
Saraswati, Godavari, Kaveri, Tapati, Tungabhadra, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Payaswini,
and Narmada. If Vedas were to denigrate women, then there shouldn’t have been verses
praising them. Let us examine how the core of Vedic scriptures describes Mother
Goddess, women, and family life.

Mother Goddess and nature: There is common Vedic saying- Matru devo bhava, which
means ‘Treat your mother as God’. The earth is affectionately referred to as Mother
Goddess in Yajur Veda1 and eulogized for bearing all types of mortal creatures.2 She is
revered for bestowing health and wealth to mankind.3

The Goddesses of the Vedas are regarded as the immortals that nourish mankind with all
needs.4 In Rig Veda5, dawn (Usha) is revered as the Mother of Gods that bestows boons
to succeed in life. She is affectionately praised as the Heaven’s daughter, who is arrayed
in garments of light.6 She is the birth-place for morning,7 the one who awakens every
living creature,8 the Lady of all earthly treasures,9 one who is auspicious and the source of
pleasant voices,10 and the Goddess that shines upon men who perform sacred duties.11 In
Hinduism, even though all the rituals are performed in the presence of Agni (fire), the
purest of all, yet Vedic sages place Agni as a child on the lap of Goddess Aditi12 since the
latter causes Agni to kindle.13 Further, it is stated: “Agni is the deity, Goddess Gayatri the
metre, and the worshipper the vessel of the silent offering.”14 Indra is considered to be the
Chief of all the Gods in the scriptures. However, Vedas declare that Goddess Saraswati,
along with Ashwins, bestowed Indra with brilliant light and power, and planted wisdom
in his heart.15-16 In fact, Goddess Aditi is considered to be the beloved of all Gods.17 At
every home of Hindus, while performing any homa (prayer) ceremony, Goddess

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Saraswati is invoked to bless the family with knowledge, strength, and effectual speech. 18
Goddess Lakshmi is the bestower of fortune and wealth to mankind19-20 and is capable of
driving away poverty and hostility.21 She is regarded as the power that drives away
hatred22 and the one who provides boons and happiness.23 Therefore, in Shukla Yajur
Veda Ida, Saraswati, and Bharati—the three Goddesses—are glorified with Vedic
hymns.24

A mantra in Atharva Veda refers to earth (Bhûmi) as the Mother of all creatures.25
Further, an environmentalist’s vision is echoed in a heartfelt manner: “Let what I dig
from thee, O Earth, rapidly spring and grow again. O Purifier, let me not pierce through
your vitals or your heart.”26 This should serve as a warning to mankind which is currently
involved in digging earth to extract vast petroleum resources, thereby polluting the
environment and causing global warming. The 2006 UN Report on global warming
states: “raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the
cars, trucks, trains, ships, and planes in the world combined. Livestock sector is one of
the largest sources of carbon dioxide and the single largest source of both methane and
nitrous oxide emissions.” Respecting such facts, knowingly or unknowingly, no meat is
served as feast in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples across the world. Vedic scriptures
advise everyone to avoid the consumption of meat. To remain in the mode of goodness it
is essential to be compassionate towards animals. To confirm these facts, Sri Krishna
declares in Bhagavad Gita27: “If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower,
fruit or water, I will accept it.”

Women, men, and family life

There are innumerable verses in the Vedas supporting and glorifying family life.
Manusmriti declares: “Women must be honored and adorned by their fathers, brothers,
husbands, and brothers-in-law, who desire welfare and prosperity. Wherever women are
honored there Gods rejoice; but where they are not honored, no sacred rite yields
rewards.”28 True to this, every Hindu wedding, ceremony, and ritual is associated with
honoring women with gifts and praises.

Vedas strictly recommend a marriage ceremony before beginning the journey as husband
and wife. There are many poetic and knowledgeable verses to confirm this. At the time of
wedding, the groom addresses the bride affectionately: “Sweet are the glances of our
eyes, our faces are as smooth as balm, within your bosom harbor me; one spirit dwells in
both of us.”29 In a loving response, the bride says to the groom: “I envelop you with this
robe, which was inherited from Manu, so that you may be mine alone, and never admire
another one.”30 It is still a common practice in Hindu marriages to join the hands of bride
and groom through a robe before they circumambulate the Yajna kunda (ritual place).
After marriage, they are blessed to lead a happy married life. Home, the place where
every family dwells, is associated with divinity and is addressed beautifully in Atharva
Veda: “O Queen of the home, my sheltering and kindly Goddess, you were created by the
Gods in the beginning. Clad in thy robe of grass be friendly-minded, and give us
wealth with great heroes and facilities.”31

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It may so happen that some men and women may not be able to find a suitable life
partner for various reasons. For such people, Atharva Veda describes a helper that tries to
address such problems. The helper, Aryama, is described as follows: “Here comes
Aryama, with his locks of hair loosened over the brows, desiring to find a husband for
this maiden, and a wife for an unwedded man.”32 It is still a common practice in India
where a mediator talks to prospective bride and groom, and their families. Then, both
bride and groom talk to each other and discuss about their likes, dislikes, and
compatibility. When both the couple and families agree, a Vedic marriage ceremony is
conducted to unite the two souls. The mediator is felicitated with gifts for initiating
nuptial developments. Now-a-days, with the advent of internet, the mediator is replaced
with match-making sites. However, this happens only in urban areas.

Once the marriage is over, how does the bride enter her husband’s home? Atharva Veda
describes it poetically: “Just like the vigorous Sindhu river (feminine) herself winning the
lordship of the stream, O woman become the imperial queen when you have come within
your husband's home, and through love bear control over your husband’s sisters,
brothers, and mother.”33 It should be noted here that Ralph Griffith’s website incorrectly
refers to Sindhu as a male. The husband then addresses to his wife: “O bride! I take your
hand in mine for happy fortune that you may reach old age with me as a partner; Gods-
Aryaman, Bhaga, Savitar, Purandhi- have given you as my household's mistress. By rule
and law you are my wife- the master of my house. Be it my care to cherish her.
Brihaspati has made you mine. You live a hundred autumns with me and my sons.”34

The newly-married woman is then blessed to lead a long life in a verse from Atharva
Veda: “Wake to long life, watchful and understanding, yea, to a life shall last a hundred
autumns. Enter the house to be the household's mistress. Let Savitar bless you with a
long life.”35 For a happy married life, she is advised as follows: “Saying your prayer for
cheerfulness, children, prosperity, and wealth, and devoted to your husband, gird
yourself for immortality.”36 Now, it is the turn to bless both husband and wife for a
blissful married life: “May you two, waking up in your pleasant chamber, both filled with
laughter and cheer, and enjoying mightily, having good children, a good home, and good
cattle, pass the shining mornings.”37 Atharva Veda imparts the knowledge for a
successful married life: “Prepare, you twain, happy and prosperous fortune, speaking
the truth in faithful utterances. Brihaspati makes her husband dear to her. Graceful
be these words the wooer speaks.”38

Once the marital life begins how should be the relationship between husband and wife?
The answer is expressed poetically in Atharva Veda, where the husband addresses his
wife: “I am this man, you are the dame; I am the psalm and you the verse. I am the
heaven and you the earth. So will we dwell together here, parents of children yet to
be.”39 The next stage of the nuptial bond is procreation and is addressed beautifully in a
verse from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: He embraces her saying, “I am the vital force,
and you are the speech; I am Saama, and you are Rig; I am heaven, and you are the
earth.”40 In Vedic scriptures, Saama Veda represents the ecstasy of spiritual knowledge
and the power of devotion. In fact, Sri Krishna declares in Gita “Of the Vedas I am
Saama-veda.”41 If Rig Veda is the word, then Saama Veda is the song or the meaning.

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Rig Veda is the knowledge, and Saama Veda is its realization. Finally, Rig Veda is the
wife and Saama Veda is the husband.

As householders in a married life, what are the norms for Yajna ceremonies? Rig Veda
clearly advises every husband to be accompanied by his wife during every Yajna
ceremony.42 Further, it is declared that from time immemorial, the matron of the house
attended the Yajna ceremony and then partook feast.43 If the husband is not interested in
participating in such ceremonies, then wife should assume the lead role. Rig Veda
confirms this: “Many-a-times woman is more firm and better than the man who
shuns away from Gods and does not offer sacrifices (yajna).”44 Further, Atharva Veda
states: “Let the man offer Vedic prayers in front of her, behind her, at your centre, and at
her ends. By doing so, let God’s inviolable grace illuminate her home with good fortune
and dignity.”45 Sayanacharya, the 14th Century Vedic scholar from India, comments on
Rig Veda (5.61.8-9) that the wife and husband are equal halves of one substance.
Therefore both should join and take equal parts in all religious and day-to-day work.
Pious couples are recommended to pray to Goddess Gayatri to beget courageous
children.46

Once children are born, the number of members in a family increases. Isn’t it essential to
maintain a harmonious relationship amongst different members of the family? Here is a
gem from Atharva Veda: “Let the son be loyal to his father and of one mind with his
mother. Let the wife speak to her husband words that are sweet like honey and gentle. Let
not a brother hate his brother, nor a sister hate her sister. Unanimous, united in aims,
speak your words with friendliness.”47 Further, Manusmriti emphasizes on honoring
female relations in a society. It declares “The houses, in which female relations, not being
duly honored, pronounce a curse, perish completely, as if destroyed by magic. Hence,
men who seek their own welfare should always honor women on holidays and festivals
with ornaments, clothes, and food.”48

Agriculture is the backbone of any civilization, and Vedic civilization is not an exception
but a frontrunner. The Vedas fully support an agrarian lifestyle to promote self-
sustainability and green revolution. Here is an extraordinary verse from Atharva Veda
that promotes such a healthy lifestyle: “This woman utters prayers, as she throws the
husks of corn: Long live my husband, may he live a hundred years.”49

Conclusion: Honoring every living being, promoting knowledge and healthy lifestyle,
and finally attaining salvation through yoga is the essence of the Vedas. Live and let
others live through mutual understanding and respect is the slogan of Hinduism. Vedas
do not ridicule the followers of other faiths by classifying them as heathens, pagans, idol
worshippers, kaffirs, and hellfire-fit candidates. In fact, Vedas declare: “Let knowledge
come from all sides, and that truth is one, but wise call it by many names.” However, in
this quarrelsome age, we find many charlatans from Semitic religions twisting the verses
from Vedas to portray them in an unpleasant manner to harvest the souls of gullible
people. Therefore, it is highly essential to critically analyze the verses from the Vedas to
avoid being cheated by such degraded people.

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References
1. Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 4.1.9
2. Atharva Veda 12.1.15
3. Saama Veda 4.1.5.2
4. Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 5.1.11
5. Rig Veda 1.113.19
6. Rig Veda 1.124.3
7. Rig Veda 1.113.1
8. Rig Veda 1.113.4
9. Rig Veda 1.113.7
10. Rig Veda 1.113.12
11. Rig Veda 1.113.18
12. Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 1.5.3
13. Rig Veda 1.113.9
14. Yajurveda Taittiriya Samhita 3.1.6
15. Shukla Yajur Veda 21.53
16. Sama Veda 1.2.4.10 & 4.1.16.1-3
17. Shukla Yajur Veda 11.61
18. Yajur Veda Taittareya Samhita 1.8.22
19. Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 3.3.11
20. Saama Veda 4.1.5.2
21. Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 4.6.3 & 5.4.6
22. Rig Veda 4.52.4
23. Shukla Yajur Veda 28.15
24. Shukla Yajur veda 27.19
25. Atharva Veda 12.1.63
26. Atharva Veda 12.1.35
27. Bhagavad Gita 9.26
28. Manusmriti 3.55-56
29. Atharva Veda 7.36.1
30. Atharva Veda 7.37.1
31. Atharva Veda 3.12.5
32. Atharva Veda 6.60.1
33. Atharva Veda 14.1.43-44
34. Atharva veda 14.1.50-52
35. Atharva Veda 14.2.75
36. Atharva Veda 14.1.42
37. Atharva Veda 14.2.43
38. Atharva Veda 14.1.30-31
39. Atharva Veda 14.2.71
40. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 6.4.20
41. Bhagavad Gita 10.22
42. Rig Veda 3.53.4
43. Rig Veda 10.86.10
44. Rig Veda 5.61.6
45. Atharva Veda 14.1.64
46. Shukla Yajur Veda 4.23
47. Atharva Veda 3.30.2-3
48. Manusmriti 58-60
49. Atharva Veda 14.2.63