Status of Women in Vedas and Bible
Dr Vivek Arya
Outgoing Supreme Court Judge Justice Bhanumati in her farewell speech said that though i am a Hindu yet i believe in the gospel of Jesus. This is a classic example of difference between education and knowledge. She might be educated but she don't posses knowledge. She is influenced by the teachings of Bible as she was never able to compare with the status of women in Vedas. In fact if we compare Vedas and Bible we can easily come to this conclusion that Vedas are the only texts which can guide anyone irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Vedas do not denigrate women. Vedas considers Women superior to men.
(i) Biblical God curses all women
Unto the woman he (God) said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.- Genesis, 3/16
(ii) Woman was created for man, not man for woman
For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.- I Corinthians, 11/8
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man- I Corinthians, 11/9
(iii) Christ is the head of man, but not of woman
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.- I Corinthians, 11/3
(iv) Women must remain under domination of men
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection- I Timothy, 2/11
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to he in silence- I Timothy, 2/12
For Adam was First formed, then Eve- I Timothy, 2/13
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression- I Timothy, 2/14
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.- Ephesians, 5/24
(v) Women not permitted to speak in Churches
Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.- I Corinthians 14/34
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.- I Corinthians. 14/35
(vi) Test for unfaithful wife by making her drink bitter water
But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband.- Numbers 5/20
Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The Lord make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the Lord doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell- Numbers, 5/21
And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot; And the woman shall say, Amen, amen- Numbers, 5/22
And when he bath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot; and the woman shall be a curse among her people.- Numbers, 5/27
Status of Women in Vedas
Vedas regards womanhood to such status that many women became Vedic Seers or Rishikas in the Vedic age. The various suktas of Rigveda like 10 /134, 10/40, 8/91, 10/95,10/107, 10/109, 10/154, 10/159,5/28 were elaborated by female Vedic Seers like Ghosha,Godha,Upanishada, Apala, Vishavavara, Nishat,Romsha etc.
1.Vedas clearly mentions that Women can Read/Listen/Chant/Teach any Vedic Mantra.
Rigveda 10/191/3
God says that O! man and women i am granting you these Mantras for you both So, that you can think and progress together.
Atharvaveda 14/1/64
O Bride! Let the Vedic knowledge (Vedas) be in front of you, behind you and all along side you. Let you attain knowledge of Vedas and live life according to them.
Yajurveda 14/2
O! Women for success in life you must read and follow Vedas.
Rigveda 1/1/5
Women who read Vedas and related Texts in her life practicing celibacy are adorned in society.
Yajurveda 14/14
If both Boys and Girls are taught Vedas from beginning of life they attains knowledge and wisdom promptly.
2.Vedas grants full opportunity to women to become scholar and attain Knowledge.
Atharvaveda 11.5.18
Girls should train themselves to become complete scholars and youthful through Brahmcharya and then enter married life.
Rigveda 6.44.18
The government should ensure that all boys and girls get good education, follow Brahmacharya and strengthen the society.
3. Vedas considers women as source of Knowledge and guidance for whole family.
Atharvaveda 14.1.20
Oh wife! Give us discourse of knowledge
Atharvaveda 7.46.3
Teach the husband ways of earning wealth
Atharvaveda 14.1.20
Oh wife! Give us discourse of knowledge
4. Vedas speaks of Women as supporter, protector and pillar of whole family.
Atharvaveda 2:36:5
Oh bride! Step into the boat of prosperity and take your husband beyond the ocean of worldly troubles into realms of success
Atharvaveda 1.14.3
Oh groom! This bride will protect your entire family
Atharvaveda 2.36.3
May this bride become the queen of the house of her husband and enlighten all.
Atharvaveda 11.1.17
These women are pure, sacred and yajna, they provide us with subjects, animals and food
5. Vedas speaks of status of women in family as queen.
Atharvaveda 12.1.25
Oh motherland! Give us that aura which is present in girls
Atharvaveda 12.2.31
Ensure that these women never weep out of sorrow. Keep them free from all diseases and give them ornaments and jewels to wear.
Atharvaveda 14.1.20
Hey wife! Become the queen and manager of everyone in the family of your husband.
Atharvaveda 14.2.74
This bride is illuminating. She has conquered everyone’s hearts!
6. Vedas grants equal rights to women in Property.
Rigveda 3.31.1
The right is equal in the fathers property for both son and daughter
7. Vedas considers women as well-wisher for her family.
Rigveda 10.159
A women speaks after waking up in morning, “My destiny is as glorious as the rising sun. I am the flag of my home and society. I am also their head. I can give impressive discourses. My sons conquer enemies. My daughter illuminates the whole world. I myself am winner of enemies. My husband has infinite glory. I have made those sacrifices which make a king successful. I have also been successful. I have destroyed my enemies.”
8. Vedas speaks of right to women to become Ruler as Man.
Yajurveda 20.9
There are equal rights for men and women to get appointed as ruler.
Yajurveda 10.26
In this mantra it is enforced that the wife of ruler should give education of politics to the others. Likewise the king do justice for the people, the queen should also justify her role.
9. Vedas grants a women status of warrior
Yajurveda 16.44
There should me a women army. Let the women be encouraged to participate in war.
10. Vedas speaks of right to education for women.
Yajurveda 10.7
Government should put special efforts to make all women into scholars.
Rigveda 3.1.23
Smart people should ensure that all boys and girls become scholars.
Yajurveda 11.36
Parents should ensure good education of children – boys and girls – and then send them to scholars for a long period so that their enlighten the families and nation like sun.
11.Vedas speaks for respect to Women
Rigveda 10.17.7
Those who desire the society to become noble and powerful, they respect woman and please her. Those who desire virtues respect woman and please her. Those who respect woman obtain bliss, knowledge and happiness.
These are few verses from the four Vedas which clearly depicts Women enjoying superior, respectful, dignified, venerate and esteemed position in society.
12. Vedas considers dowry not as money but as Knowledge and merit.
Atharva 14.1.6
Parents should gift their daughter intellect and power of knowledge when she leaves for husband’s home. They should give her a dowry of knowledge.
Now the readers can easily come to this conclusion that the Vedas honours Women while Bible denigrates Women.
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