Indian concept of Women Empowerment and Protection
By Tiru Pradyumna - July 24, 2019
The concepts of women empowerment and protection are interwoven with each other in the
Indian context. Attitudes of male superiority are observed in a majority of world societies at the
ground level. Reflection of such attitudes in the actual behavior of people may also be noticed.
What is special in Indian heritage is the evidence of the respectful position of women seen
textually and in cultural practice both in Vedic and later Vedic period.
Various laws that were made for the protection of women and their rights under the broader
head of Dharma, and the measures taken to ensure their strict practice, give a clear picture of
the resolve of the law makers of ancient India. The doctrines of Dharma like "maatrivat
paradaareeshu - paradravyeeshu loshtavat"; i.e., "treat all other women as your mother and
wealth belongs to others as dust" used to be inducted into the minds of students at a very
young age. The general public was reminded of the disastrous end of people like Ravana and
Duryodhana who violated Dharma in many different forms like stories, songs and stage shows.
We also find many instances in religious and literary works about stringent punishments for
violating the chastity of women which were administered by law-makers and kings. Society in
general had strong beliefs in the consequential punishments they would receive in their
subsequent births for the sins they commit as proclaimed in Dharma shastras. Vishnu Purana
(3:11:123-124) says, the mere thought of violating the chastity of women is considered a great
sin and lists out different hells (2:6:1-6) and the different punishments meted out in each of
them.
Empowerment of Women
As we see now, "Empowerment of women" is narrowed down to giving her economic strength.
Even though it is a primary necessity for needy women, it is not going to help in the long run
unless women get a respectful position in the society. This was the major doctrine of Dharma
that used to be inculcated from a very young age in gurukulas. For instance, the practice of showing respect to the mother before any one else, "maatri devo bhava" - "mother as the fist
divinity" was the first lesson taught to a child. A verse (M.10.110) even says, mother is
"thousand times more venerable than the father".
There was no discrimination based on gender in the field of formal education during Vedic
period. Girls used to get initiated by Gurus at the age of eight and would study in gurukulas.
Women who pursued their spiritual aspirations were called "Brahmavadinis" and women who
preferred married life after their formal education of 16 years in gurukulas were known as
"Sadyovadhus". A Mantra in Atharva Veda gives clear evidence of Vedic education to
Sadyovadhus (Atharva:14.1.64).
We may observe many aspects of Vedic culture in later Vedic period viz., the period of Sutras,
Mahakavyas as well as in later sanskrit literature. However, history records many divergent and
restrictive customs and practices that got assimilated into the Indian society for which many
historical reasons may be found, such as the pressures of customs and practices of invaders
from other countries.
Protection of rights of women
The great menace of our present society, "dowry - Varadakshina" was unheard of in the civilized society of ancient India. Instead we see the practice of "Vadhudakshina" or "Kanyashulka" -
compensation given by bridegroom to the father of the bride. Various laws were enforced to
protect the possessions of women, called "stridhana". This includes gifts received by a bride
from her parents, relatives, husband and his friends. She had complete ownership of her
"stridhana" which used to be passed on only to her daughters (M:9:131) after her death and no
one else in the family had any rights over it. (M:9:194). There are many other laws such as the
one that states that brothers should give one fourth of the property inherited from their parents
to unmarried sisters seen in all the major Dharmashastras.
Social and Ethical Values in Vedic Culture
Indian culture as seen today, has strayed far away from the precious legacy of the Vedic
culture. The Vedic message clearly includes everyone on the planet Earth. There is no evidence of any of the evil practices which crept in later into Hinduism like child marriage
(Rigveda:2.35. 4), Sati system, untouchability, women and a section of society being debarred
from formal education and so on. One can find the most liberal views about the position of
women as evidenced by the freedom of her choice in marriage, education and way of life.
Above all, there is also a clear mandate for widow remarriage in the Veda mantras (Rigveda:
10.18.8).
We may attribute many historical reasons such as the influence of the culture of invaders for
the drastic changes seen in the later Vedic period. A genuine attempt to find the deeper
cause would lead to the fact that it is very much related to a gradual decline in the pursuit of
social, ethical and spiritual values found in Veda as a consequence of the lack of Vedic
knowledge which is the guiding force in Indian society.
Violence against women
The most important reason for the lack of respectful status of women in society today is the
changed attitude of society due to the influence of globalization. Disintegration of our society
has crept in along with the disregard to the value system based on the concept of Dharma.
New dimensions are being added to the violence against women along with the continuance of
dowry harassment, domestic violence, gang rape, honor killing, acid attack etc. The most
heinous crime is the female infanticide which is resulting in the drastic declining ratio of the girl
child.
The real benefit of efforts towards women empowerment today, which goes hand in hand with
protection of women, depends upon the change of mind-set of both men and women in the
present society. We may draw inspiration from the law makers and teachers in gurukulas who
used to take utmost care to prevent atrocities on women and their wealth. The teachers used
to indoctrinate righteous values in students from their very young age so that they could
maintain and carry them forward.
Need of the hour is to take necessary steps to find the culprits who commit violence against
women and administer stringent punishments. Measures should be taken to include value
based curriculum in schools to rebuild the safe and harmonious society.
Indian context. Attitudes of male superiority are observed in a majority of world societies at the
ground level. Reflection of such attitudes in the actual behavior of people may also be noticed.
What is special in Indian heritage is the evidence of the respectful position of women seen
textually and in cultural practice both in Vedic and later Vedic period.
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| Source www.myindiamyglory.com |
head of Dharma, and the measures taken to ensure their strict practice, give a clear picture of
the resolve of the law makers of ancient India. The doctrines of Dharma like "maatrivat
paradaareeshu - paradravyeeshu loshtavat"; i.e., "treat all other women as your mother and
wealth belongs to others as dust" used to be inducted into the minds of students at a very
young age. The general public was reminded of the disastrous end of people like Ravana and
Duryodhana who violated Dharma in many different forms like stories, songs and stage shows.
We also find many instances in religious and literary works about stringent punishments for
violating the chastity of women which were administered by law-makers and kings. Society in
general had strong beliefs in the consequential punishments they would receive in their
subsequent births for the sins they commit as proclaimed in Dharma shastras. Vishnu Purana
(3:11:123-124) says, the mere thought of violating the chastity of women is considered a great
sin and lists out different hells (2:6:1-6) and the different punishments meted out in each of
them.
Empowerment of Women
As we see now, "Empowerment of women" is narrowed down to giving her economic strength.
Even though it is a primary necessity for needy women, it is not going to help in the long run
unless women get a respectful position in the society. This was the major doctrine of Dharma
that used to be inculcated from a very young age in gurukulas. For instance, the practice of showing respect to the mother before any one else, "maatri devo bhava" - "mother as the fist
divinity" was the first lesson taught to a child. A verse (M.10.110) even says, mother is
"thousand times more venerable than the father".
There was no discrimination based on gender in the field of formal education during Vedic
period. Girls used to get initiated by Gurus at the age of eight and would study in gurukulas.
Women who pursued their spiritual aspirations were called "Brahmavadinis" and women who
preferred married life after their formal education of 16 years in gurukulas were known as
"Sadyovadhus". A Mantra in Atharva Veda gives clear evidence of Vedic education to
Sadyovadhus (Atharva:14.1.64).
We may observe many aspects of Vedic culture in later Vedic period viz., the period of Sutras,
Mahakavyas as well as in later sanskrit literature. However, history records many divergent and
restrictive customs and practices that got assimilated into the Indian society for which many
historical reasons may be found, such as the pressures of customs and practices of invaders
from other countries.
Protection of rights of women
The great menace of our present society, "dowry - Varadakshina" was unheard of in the civilized society of ancient India. Instead we see the practice of "Vadhudakshina" or "Kanyashulka" -
compensation given by bridegroom to the father of the bride. Various laws were enforced to
protect the possessions of women, called "stridhana". This includes gifts received by a bride
from her parents, relatives, husband and his friends. She had complete ownership of her
"stridhana" which used to be passed on only to her daughters (M:9:131) after her death and no
one else in the family had any rights over it. (M:9:194). There are many other laws such as the
one that states that brothers should give one fourth of the property inherited from their parents
to unmarried sisters seen in all the major Dharmashastras.
Social and Ethical Values in Vedic Culture
Indian culture as seen today, has strayed far away from the precious legacy of the Vedic
culture. The Vedic message clearly includes everyone on the planet Earth. There is no evidence of any of the evil practices which crept in later into Hinduism like child marriage
(Rigveda:2.35. 4), Sati system, untouchability, women and a section of society being debarred
from formal education and so on. One can find the most liberal views about the position of
women as evidenced by the freedom of her choice in marriage, education and way of life.
Above all, there is also a clear mandate for widow remarriage in the Veda mantras (Rigveda:
10.18.8).
We may attribute many historical reasons such as the influence of the culture of invaders for
the drastic changes seen in the later Vedic period. A genuine attempt to find the deeper
cause would lead to the fact that it is very much related to a gradual decline in the pursuit of
social, ethical and spiritual values found in Veda as a consequence of the lack of Vedic
knowledge which is the guiding force in Indian society.
Violence against women
The most important reason for the lack of respectful status of women in society today is the
changed attitude of society due to the influence of globalization. Disintegration of our society
has crept in along with the disregard to the value system based on the concept of Dharma.
New dimensions are being added to the violence against women along with the continuance of
dowry harassment, domestic violence, gang rape, honor killing, acid attack etc. The most
heinous crime is the female infanticide which is resulting in the drastic declining ratio of the girl
child.
The real benefit of efforts towards women empowerment today, which goes hand in hand with
protection of women, depends upon the change of mind-set of both men and women in the
present society. We may draw inspiration from the law makers and teachers in gurukulas who
used to take utmost care to prevent atrocities on women and their wealth. The teachers used
to indoctrinate righteous values in students from their very young age so that they could
maintain and carry them forward.
Need of the hour is to take necessary steps to find the culprits who commit violence against
women and administer stringent punishments. Measures should be taken to include value
based curriculum in schools to rebuild the safe and harmonious society.
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