Kamal Ghorui
The Vedas and the Puranas originally gave equal rights to women. In Gaya, Bihar, there is a site where it is believed that Sita Mata did the Pind Daan for her father-in-law, King Dasharatha, on the bank of the river Phalgu. Women could also wear the Yagnopavits (sacred thread) in ancient times. Devi Parvati and Mother Sita have been described as wearing Yagnopavit in some of the texts.
You may have seen men wear two Yagnopavitas after their marriage. Do you know the reason? They wear one for themselves and the other on behalf of their wives. Another incidence is, even when a woman is the only daughter, and the parents die, she isn’t allowed to do any of the ceremonies like the Pind Daan or Tarpan. But this was never the case in ancient times. At some point in history, we digressed from the original scriptures. However, things are changing for the better now.
In our scriptures, there are clear indications that women conducted ceremonies and rituals. There is no injunction anywhere that bars women from performing them. What we see today is more a matter of social practice than scriptural requirement.
Even now, across most parts of India, you rarely find women priests. Pune is one of the few places where a new generation of women priests has emerged and is conducting rituals. But this is not yet widespread. But if you look at it from a spiritual point of view, it never denied women an equal place. Women have as much right as men, in my opinion. Even Lord Shiva is depicted as Ardhanarishvara, half male and half female. The very form of the Divine shows this balance. One side represents the feminine and the other the masculine. Shiva and Shakti are not two but one.
Indian scriptures place tremendous power in women. In fact, the primordial energy known as ‘Shakti’, which is the life force behind the whole creation, is feminine. That is why our scriptures honour women as the highest aspect of divinity- the Aadhya Shakti. They bring together the finest aspects of society: the ability to create and the ability to make a difference in society. The most essential ministries of life are governed by the feminine: Durga protects and defends, Lakshmi nurtures prosperity and abundance, and Saraswati bestows knowledge (education) and wisdom. The reverence for the feminine is woven into the cultural fabric of this land.
I was once asked why, despite having a tradition of spiritual Gurus, there are so few women Gurus or saints. The truth is, women are our first Gurus, our first teachers. They bring us to the planet and teach us how to live. Women teach us our first behaviour, help us take our first step in life. Their love for the children is unconditional. They do not ask for anything in return. A woman can be a strong peacemaker; at home, in the community, in society, and in the world. Women can glue differences and bring people of diverse nature together – she does it in her home all the time! It is quite natural for her to relate from the level of the heart.
Not just in ancient times, but even in contemporary times, the role of women in maintaining equanimity and harmony in society remains non-negotiable. There are more wars in the world today because there is a lack of feminine leadership to unite people, overcome differences, and bring home to us the purpose we are all born for! In today’s war-torn world, we need women to come to the forefront and take more responsibility, without getting stressed. When women are determined, they can do wonders.
Women should not wait to be given power. They already have it! They simply need to assume they have equal rights. They must assume their power and move forward with confidence. They have the intelligence, the emotional depth, and the organizational ability to run families, businesses, and nations. It is time to stop seeking approval and step into leadership with grace and strength.
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