The realms of ancient India reverberated with the Vedic hymns, the shruti. This era has deep relevance in terms of the status of women. Throughout history, women are placed in a position of servitude. At times, the attempts to restraint were countered with the rise to influential positions. The reign of Razia Sultana, the literary accomplishments of Gulbadan Banu Begum, the struggle of Chand Bibi on the ramparts of Ahmednagar Fort and Tara Bai becoming the soul of Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb’s onslaught–women played an active role in of past. In spite of the obscuration of women’s prominence in history, they have not been silent observers in the passage of time.
In ancient India, proudly claimed their superior standing and contribution to the development of a picturesque civilisation. The status of women is determined by her social standing and the complex web of rights and responsibilities. It had always been a flux. Woman is depicted as a symbol of institution whose sacrificial spirit plays a significant role in societal structures.
Scholars have explored the status of women in the Vedic society. This theme is crucial for understanding questions regarding women’s position in ancient India. The Vedas are ancient texts consisting of hymns, mythological accounts, oral traditions and hold a sacred place in the history of ancient India. The Vedic concept of Brahma or the superior being, from whose right side man arose and woman arose from the left. The early Vedic age stands witness to the equality of man and woman as seen in the various texts of Rig or Atharva Veda, as well as the Samhitas. The Taitriya Samhita states man and woman, as wheels of a cart or two bulls yoked in a chariot. These portray the existing sense of equality of that age. The lines of Manava Dharmasutra talks about how motherhood is of greater respect than an upadhyaya(teacher), acharya(preceptor) or a father.
The prolific Vedic era probably stood testimony as the distant public discussions raged on with the likes of Gargi and others countering the great scholars of the age. Women had access to the knowledge of ‘The Absolute’ and were at par with their male counterparts in terms of literary and other accomplishments. The stories of Gargi, Maitreyi, Apala, Sita, Savitri and others still resonate in the minds of the people in the present times. These women of ancient India continue to be the inspiration for later works. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mentions Gargi as a great natural philosopher and expounder of Vedas. She challenged the sage Yajnavalkya on theories of aatman (soul) during the brahmayajna debate organised by King Janaka.
Similarly, Maitreyi had also been mentioned in the same Upanishad as one of the two wives of Yajnavalkya. In other texts she is said to be an unmarried Advaita philosopher with great knowledge. They were Mantra-receivers with extensive knowledge that was not barred by society. Considered to be embodiment of Divinities, they were called the brahmavadini or the expounders of Vedas. They explored the ideals of Brahma Vidya. These greatly showcased the high status of women during those times.
Subsequently, there are mentions of other prominent women like Gosha, Lopamudra, Viswavara and others. The story of Gosha proceeds with her suffering of a skin ailment which led to her disfigurement. The divine physicians or the ‘Ashvini Kumars’ cured her. She was a Vedic philosopher and a couple of her hymns are dedicated to the Ashvinis.
Lopamudra belongs to the tier of female sages who were married. She was supposedly the wife of Sage Agastya of the Rig Vedic period. Her identity however, traversed beyond the prestige of a wife. She held the high perch as a Rishiki herself and her hymns in Rig Veda are largely dedicated to Goddess Rati. Even the epic Mahabharata speaks of the legend of Agastya and Lopamudra.
The hymns authored by the 27 female sages in the Rig Veda exhibit the intellectual progress of women. The prime inference however, is the subsequent importance placed on the education of women alongside their male counterparts. The ancient texts are suggestive of education being a prerequisite for a worthy marriage. The hymns in themselves provide colossal information like that of Viswavara. Unrestrained and dynamic emotions are often a pivotal feature of the Vedic hymns authored by women. Viswavara of the Atri family, is a married woman who approaches the flaming sacrificial fire, facing East and prays for a good wedded life. This hymn leads analysts to ponder over the fact that probably women in that era were allowed to make individual sacrifices unlike the later ages, where they were restrained from doing so.
The Vedic times saw marriages solemnizing and brides being greatly valued. Brides were considered to be the ones who brought good luck to the family they married into. Several women were also part of societal assemblies and participated in public meetings. However there are the shades of darker practices that mark the status of women in Vedic Eras. The Later Vedic era saw women as inferior beings and there were mentions of child marriages. Widows were suppressed under the burden of laws as the Manusmriti dictates.
The rise and fall in the position of women continues on to the present periods. Women as part of the heritage of India strive to cross the thresholds of the ordinary and venture into the unknown, since time immemorial.
References
Books:
1. Women in Ancient India: Vedic to Vatsyayana – S.N Sinha, N.K Basu
2. A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India – Upinder Singh
Websites:
1. Status of Women in Vedic Period
https://www.ijhssi.org/papers/vol11(11)/U1111151153.pdf
file:///C:/Users/saumi/Downloads/571_positive+pyschology+Sonal+Malik%20(4).pdf
2. Women and Power during Vedic Age of Ancient India
https://sadhana-0921.dev.60fps.fr/news/women-and-power/
3. Complete Review of Vedic Literature
https://www.stephen-knapp.com/complete_review_of_vedic_literature.htm
4. On the History of Vedic Texts
https://www.jstor.org/stable/592278
Author
Saumili
I am Saumili, interning at ILF since June of 23. Based in Kolkata and studying History majors, it has been a remarkable journey delving into the innumerable realms of history. My passion for history runs deep, ever since I had first read about the Egyptian civilisation in 4th grade. The journey since then included numerous books including academic, fiction and non-fiction. From idolising Professor Langdon’s character in the Dan Brown books to reading the most moving dramas based on Nazi invasions, history has been a part and parcel of life. As an avid literature enthusiast as well, I take interest in writing prose and poetry based on a variety of themes. Along with that, I try to impart support towards all kinds of heritage conservation. Tangible and intangible heritages are essential essences of history and need to be safeguarded at all cost. To let the heritage be lost in the course of time would be an irreversible loss to mankind. I stand for the unbiased representation of history, culture and heritage while promoting an all-inclusive approach to it.
