In
what scriptures do you find statements that women are not competent
for knowledge and devotion? In the period of degradation, when the
priests made other castes incompetent for the study of the Vedas,
they deprived the women also of all their rights. Otherwise you will
find that in the Vedic or Upanishadic age Maitreyi, Gârgi, and other
ladies of revered memory have taken the places of Rishis through
their skill in discussing about Brahman.
CW: Vol 7: Conversations and Dialogues: From the dairy of Disciple:
XVIII (p.214-15)
In
what scriptures do you find statements that women are not competent
for knowledge and devotion? In the period of degradation, when the
priests made other castes incompetent for the study of the Vedas,
they deprived the women also of all their rights. Otherwise you will
find that in the Vedic or Upanishadic age Maitreyi, Gârgi, and other
ladies of revered memory have taken the places of Rishis through
their skill in discussing about Brahman. In an assembly of a thousand
Brahmanas who were all erudite in the Vedas, Gargi boldly challenged
Yâjnavalkya in a discussion about Brahman. Since such ideal women
were entitled to spiritual knowledge, why shall not the women have
the same privilege now? What has happened once can certainly happen
again. History repeats itself.
Ibid.: (p.215)
If
even one amongst the women became a knower of Brahman, then by the
radiance of her personality thousands of women would be inspired and
awakened to truth, and great well-being of the country and society
would ensue.
Ibid.: (p.219)
Studying
the present needs of the age, it seems imperative to train some women
up in the ideal of renunciation. So that they will take up the vow of
life long virginity, fired with the strength of that virtue of
chastity which innate in their life-blood from hoary antiquity. Along
with that they should be taught sciences and other things which would
be of benefit, not only to them but to other as well, and knowing
thes they would easily learn these things and fell pleasure in doing
so. Other motherland requires for her well-being some of her children
to become such pure-souled
Brahmacharins
and Brahmacharinis.
Ibid.: (p.343)
By
their example and through their endeavours to hold the national ideal
before the eyes of the people, a revolution in thoughts and
aspirations will take place. How do matters stand now? Somehow, the
parents must dispose of a
girl in marriage, if she he nine or ten years of age! And what a
rejoicing of the whole family if a child is born to her at the age of
thirteen! If the trend of such ideas is reversed, then only there is
some hope for the ancient Shraddhâ to return. And what to talk of
those who will practice Brahmacharya as defined above — think how
much faith in themselves will be theirs! And what a power for good
they will be!
CW: Vol.5: Conversation and Dialogues: IV (p.343)
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