Status of Women in the Vedic period

In the Early Vedic Period, Women had high status and respect in society but in the later Vedic period the status of women declined, and became subordinate to men.

Women mentioned in Vedic literature

The role of 27 female Brahmavadini is known in the Sukta composition of the Rigveda.
In the 5th century BCE, Shaunaka ‘Brihaddevata‘ (commentary on the Rigveda) wrote 27 Brahmavadini.
The Vedic & Sanskrit Mimamsa scholar Sayana mentions two more Brahmavadini besides the above 27.
Both Brahmavadini and Sadvyavadhu are mentioned in the Upanishads.
In the ancient and famous ‘Brihadaranyaka Upanishad’, the philosophical discussions of Brahmavadini and Yajnabandhya are recorded twice.

Women mentioned in Vedic Vyakaran/grammar literature

Panini uses women’s names, such as Yajnadatta and Satyavati, to highlight inclusion in linguistic studies.
Works like Nirukta by Yaska refer to women.
The Brahmavadini who taught were called Upadhyaya or Acharya.
The wives of teachers were called Upadhyayini or Acharyini.
The Brahmin women scholars of Apisali Vyakaran were called ‘Apisali‘.

Women in the Puranas

A famous woman mentioned in the Puranas was Madalasa, the wife of King Ritadhvaja.
Another famous woman was Devahuti, the mother of Kapila Muni and the wife of Prajapati Karnasa.

Brahmabadini and Sadyovadhu

Brahmavadini: Philosophers who lived a spiritual life through Vedas and meditation without getting married for the rest of their lives were called Brahmavadini.
Sadyovadhu: They usually lived a household life. They spent their lives for the welfare of the family. They conducted daily activities.

Status of Women in Early Vedic Period

Women enjoyed high status and respect in society.
Women had the freedom to choose life partners (e.g., Swayamvara).
Women had property rights.
They could participate in various rituals and engage in social activities (Juhu, Paulami, and Kamayani).
Women composed hymns in the Vedas (e.g., Lopamudra).
They participated even in war.

Women in the later Vedic period

The social status of women declined in the later Vedic period.
Women were not allowed to participate in the Sabha and Samiti.
In the Shatapatha Brahmana, women’s religious work is described as ‘unclean‘ or ‘untruth‘.
During this period, women lost the right to join assemblies and societies.
Also, women’s work was not appreciated. In this context, women’s occupations include cutting canes, working in thorns, needlework, dyeing cloth, making ointments and preparing skin.
In the Shatapatha Brahmana, women’s second marriage is mentioned. The remarriage of widows was recognized.
Women and Shudras were kept in the same category.
- The Parashara Smriti states that a person who kills an artist, craftsman, Shudra or a woman has to observe the Prajapatya vow and offer 11 bulls as Dakshina.
- The Shatapatha Brahmana states that while teaching Prabrajya, the teacher is prohibited from seeing women, Shudras, Sarmeyas and Krimnava birds, because they are untrue.
- Sometimes, the Vedas could not be recited in the presence of Shudras and menstruating women.
However, women like Gergi and Maitreyi had excellence in higher education.

Widow Marriage

Although there is no written or literary evidence regarding widow marriage, it cannot be said that this system did not exist.
According to the commentators of Manusmriti, Sarvajna Narayana, and Ramachandra, widow marriage is not allowed among Brahmins. This means that it was allowed for the other castes.
According to the commentator Raghavananda, widow marriage is prohibited for Brahmins and those who marry divinely. Widow marriage was not permitted for Kshatriyas also.

Polygamy and Monogamy

The scriptures mention polygamy and monogamy according to caste. Generally, one marriage was prescribed for Brahmins, one for Kshatriyas, two for Vaishyas, and one for Shudras.

Divorce

During this time, caste was used to judge the dissolution of marriage. It was necessary for the bride and groom to be of the same caste in marriage.
Therefore, if the husband was from another caste, the wife had the right to leave him and have a relationship with someone else.

Devadasi tradition

Women who were skilled in dancing and were employed in temple service were known as Devadasis. However, there is no evidence of such in the Vedic period.
During the reign of Chola Rajaraja I, about 400 Devadasis were employed in the temples of Tanjore. They were generally described as living an immortal life.
Marco Polo writes that sometimes parents would offer their daughters as Devadasis in the temple in the name of the deity they worshipped. The dancers sometimes performed plays.