Thursday 8 August 2013

Vedic Description of Women

This is how women is described in our vedas:

RV-rigveda
AV-Atharva veda
Sv-sam veda
YV-yujurveda

There are numerous hymns in the Rig Veda indicating the high status accorded to women in the vedic society. RV (10.27.12) explicitly states that the practice of a lady choosing her own husband was in vogue. The hymn (10.85), the marriage hymn, explicitly states that the daughter-in-law should be treated as a queen, sāmrajni, by all the family members especially the mother-in-law, husband, father-in-law. 
woman is designated as:

Aditi, because she is not dependent (Nirukta, 4/22)
Aghnyā, for she is not to be hurt (Y.V. 8/43)
Bŗhatī, for she is large hearted (Y.V. 11/64)
Chandrā, because she is happy (Y.V. 8/43)
Devakāmā, since she is pious. (A.V. 14/1/47)
Devī, since she is divine (A.V. 14/1/45, Y.V. 4/23)
Dhruvā, for she is firm (Y.V. 11/64) ā
Havyā, because she is worthy of invocation (Y.V. 8/43)
Idā, for she is worshippable (Y.V. 8/43)
Jyotā, because she is illuminating, bright (Y.V. 8/43)
Kāmyā, because she is lovable (Y.V. 8/43)
Kshamā, for she is tolerant/indulgent /patient (A.V. 12/1/29)
Mahī, since she is great (Y.V. 8/43)
Menā, because she deserves respect (Nirukta 3/21/2)
Nārī, for she is not inimical to anyone (A.V. 14/1/59)
Purandhih, for she is munificent, liberal (Y.V. 22/22)
Rantā, because she is lovely (Y.V. 8/43)
ŗtāvarī, ŗtachit, for she is the preserver / forester of truth (R.V.2/41/18)
Sanjayā, since she is victorious (R.V. 10/159/3)
Sarasvatī, since she is scholarly (Y.V. 20/84)
Simhī, since she is courageous (Y.V. 5/12)
Shivā, for she is benevolent (A.V. 14/1/64)
Shivatamā, since she is the noblest (R.V. 10/85/37)
Strī, since she is modest (R.V. 8/33/9, Nirukta 3/21/2)
Subhagā, because she is fortunate (Y.V. 8/43)
Subhdhā, for she is knowledgeable (A.V. 14/2.75)
Sumangalī, since she is auspicious (A.V. 14/2/26)
Sushevā, for she is pleasant (A.V. 14/2/26)
Suvarchā, since she is splendid (A.V. 14/4/47)
Suyamā, since she is self - disciplined. (A.V. 14/2/18)
Syonā, for she is noble (A.V. 14/2/27)
Vīriņī, since she is mother of brave sons (R.V. 10/86/9, 10)
Vishrutā, since she is learned (Y.V. 8/43)
Yashasvatī, for she is glorious (R.V. 1.79.1)
Yoşhā, because she is intermingled with man, she is not separate (Nirukta 3/15/1)



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