The Status of Women in Sanatana Dharma

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Unlike the claims of entitled liberals, females in Sanatana Dharma have always been accorded equal respect as males. The current ill-treatment of women is linked to the invasion of tyrannical Abrahamic forces.

The biased western media has always portrayed Sanatana Dharma as regressive and demeaning to women. Furthermore, they falsely accused Sanatana Dharma in order to conveniently whitewash their white lies. Women have always had equal status with men in Sanatana Dharma. This is even represented by a deity, Ardhnareshwar. In this form, Shiva and Shakti are worshipped equally.

Women as an embodiment of Shakti 

Shakti is thought to be the feminine manifestation of nourishment, protection, fertility, growth, calmness, and love. Hinduism is the only major religion that focuses on women’s empowerment. Unfortunately, our indigenous social practices have suffered as a result of barbaric Islamic rulers’ attacks on us. Women’s equality and mutual respect are no longer as ideal as they once were. Women are encouraged to hold the most revered positions in spiritual leadership in Hinduism.

The qualities of both male and female divinities, as well as the oneness of both genders, are emphasized in Hindu scriptures. In Hinduism, we believe that every human being possesses both masculine and feminine characteristics. Under Sanatana Dharma, men and women have equal rights to perform Vedic rituals. More than 3000 years ago, Vedic culture had no concept of feminism or feminazism. Despite this, women had a respectable social standing. A level playing field was enjoyed by both men and women. Women had freedom of expression and liberty at the time.

The feminine forms of Hindu goddesses are thought to have evolved during the Vedic period. These female deities embody various feminine energies and qualities of the eternal Brahman. Today’s popular depictions include Goddess Kali as destructive energy, Durga as protector, Lakshmi as nourishment, and Saraswati as creativity.

Also Read – Vahanas – Hindu Gods and Goddesses’ Rides

Role of Women in Sanatana Dharma

Females have played an important role in Hinduism since ancient times, whether as humans or divinities. The Vedas were written by women sages who played an important role in their creation. Hymns in the Rig Veda were written by Lopamudra and Maitreyi. Sage Gargi contributed significantly to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by posing various questions to Sage Yajnavalkya. She posed pertinent questions about the nature of the soul and compelled Yajnavalkya to articulate teachings about the nature of the soul that many male philosophers had failed to do. Stories and symbols devoted solely to the feminine divine can be found in various Puranic texts.

Poetry, dance, drama, and worship are all prominent in Devi Mahatmyam and Devi Bhagavata Purana. Because of their intellectual strength, women who pursued Vedic studies were dubbed “brahmavadinis.” Sadyovadhus were women who chose marriage over education. Co-education was the norm during this time period, and teachers gave equal attention to both genders. Even though it is uncommon today, Kshatriya women were trained and taught to use weapons.

Also Read – 8 immortal warriors from Hindu mythology

Sage Gargi

During the Vedic era, certain rites of passage were traditionally designed for both genders. The sacred thread ceremony, which marked the start of one’s religious education, is now reserved for men only. These rites are now performed on a smaller scale for both boys and girls.

There were eight types of marriage systems in the Vedic era, four of which were more common. In the first type, a daughter was given as a gift to a learned man in the Vedas, and this was referred to as ‘brahma.’ When a daughter was given to the priest presiding over a Vedic sacrifice, this was known as ‘daiva.’ The third type is called ‘Arsa,’ and it involves the groom paying to marry a woman. The fourth type is known as ‘prajapatya’ (female marriage to a man who promises purity and monogamy).

DURING THE VEDIC AGE, TWO COMMON CUSTOMS WERE PRESENT. ONE WAS KANYAVIVAHA, IN WHICH THE GIRL WAS MARRIED OFF AS SCHEDULED BY HER PARENTS. THE SECOND WAS CALLED ‘PRAUDHAVIVAHA,’ AND IT WAS WHERE THE GIRLS WERE MARRIED AFTER REACHING PUBERTY. THE ROYAL FAMILIES USED ‘SWAYAMVARA,’ IN WHICH GIRLS WERE FREE TO SELECT THEIR HUSBAND FROM A POOL OF ELIGIBLE BACHELORS INVITED TO THEIR HOME.

Also Read – Nandi: story of sacred Bull of lord Shiva

Conclusion

It is critical that everyone understands that ladies have always held a distinct place in the Sanatanaa Dharma. Unlike the claims made by feminazis, liberals, and pseudo-intellectuals that Hindus mistreat their women, the facts show that these claims are false. Other Abrahamic religions, on the other hand, consider women as second-class citizens. “Men are superior to women in that God has preferred some of them over others, and in that they waste their riches; and the righteous women, devoted, careful (in their husbands’) absence, as God has cared for them,” according to Quran 4.34. But those whose perversity you fear, chastise them and confine them to bedchambers, beating them; but if they submit to you, do not seek vengeance against them; surely, God is exalted and vast.”

In Hinduism, however, they are treated equally to males. It’s worth noting that nefarious practices like Sati didn’t exist during the Vedic period. Following the arrival of the Mughal dictators, Sati and other such rituals entered into the social order. Women were kidnapped, raped, tortured, and used as sex slaves by these Islamic zealots at the time. As a result, inhumane behaviors such as female infanticide, female feticide, and Sati were prevalent to protect girls from such humiliation and pain.

The Halebidu temple is a must-see for everyone interested in learning about modern Indian society’s progressive attitude toward women. Forth the temple’s outer structure, murals portray numerous female figurines holding telescopes, wearing heels and modern outfits, and so on. These are just a few examples, but it goes to bust the ‘false modernity of west’ claims of the western media and India haters. Even after so many years of freedom, women are still struggling for their rights. Many civil rights advocates and social activists fought valiantly to help them achieve full independence. Sanatana Dharma has always been more progressive and tolerant than Abrahamic religions, it should be acknowledged. This propagation of lies of women being relegated as second fiddle to men in Hinduism shall be curtailed and dispelled.

Also Read – Ganesha: How He Lost His Head – And Got It Back

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