Women Must be Given an All-Round Education

Education,…. may be described as a development of faculty, not an accumulation of words, or as a training of individuals to will rightly and efficiently.

256 CW: Vol.5: Interviews; On Indian Women – Their Past, Present and Future (p.231)

What does our Manu enjoin? "Daughters should be supported and educated with as much care and attention as the sons." As sons should be married after observing Brahmacharya up to the thirtieth year, so daughters also must observe Brahmacharya and be educated by their parents. But what are we actually doing? Can you better the condition of your women? Then there will be hope for your well - being. Otherwise you will remain as backward as you are now.

257 CW: Vol.5: Epistles – First Series: VI (p.26)

The Hinduwomen are very spiritual and very religious, perhaps more so than any other women in the world. If we can preserve these beautiful characteristics and at the same time develop the intellects of our women, the Hindu woman of the future will be the ideal woman of the world."

CW: Vol.8: Notes of Class Talk and Lecture: Women In India (p.198)

Of course, they have many and grave problems, but none that are not to be solved by that magic word 'education'.

CW: Vol.5: Interviews; On India Women – Their Past, Present and Future (p.231)

Female education is to be spread with religion as its centre. All other training should be secondary to religion. Religious training, the formation of character and observance of the vow of celibacy -- these should be attended to.

CW: Vol.7: Conversation and Dialogues: From the Diary of a Discipline: XVIII (p.220)

"I look upon religion as the innermost core of education", said the Swami solemnly. "Mind, I do not mean my own, or any one else's opinion about religion. I think the teacher should take the pupil's starting – point in this, as in other respects, and enable her to develop along her own line of least resistance."

CW: Vol.5 Interviews; On Indian Women - Their Past, Present and Future (p.231-232)

To make a beginning in women's education: our Hindu women easily understand what chastity means, because it is their heritage. Now, first of all, intensify that ideal within them above everything else, so that they may develop a strong character by the force of which, in every stage of their life, whether married, or single if they prefer to remain so, they will not be in the least afraid even to give up their lives rather than flinch an inch from their chastity. Is it little heroism to be able to sacrifice one's life for the sake of one's ideal, whatever that ideal may be?

Ibid: Conversation and Dialogues: IV (p.342-343)

Ideal characters must always be presented before the view of the girls to imbue them with a devotion to lofty principles of selflessness. The noble examples of Sita, Savitri, Damayanti, Lilavati, Khana, and Mira should be brought home to their minds, and they should be inspired to mould their own lives in the light of these.

CW: Vol.6: Conversation and Dialogues: VIII (p.493-494)

"Revive the old arts. Teach your girls fruit - modelling with hardened milk. Give them artistic cooking and sewing. Let them learn painting, photography, the cutting of designs in paper, and gold and silver filigree and embroidery. See that everyone knows something by which she can earn a living in case of need.

CW: Vol.8: Saying and Utterances (p.275)

"in worship of the gods, you must of course use images. But you can change these. Kali need not always be in one position. Encourage your girls to think of new ways of picturing Her. Have a hundred different conceptions of Saraswati. Let them draw and model and paint their own ideas.

Ibid.: (p.274)

Along with other things they should acquire the spirit of valour and heroism. In the present day it has become necessary for them also to learn self - defence. See how grand was the Queen of Jhansi!

CW: Vol.5: Conversation and Dialogues: IV (P.342)

“And Never forget Humanity! The idea of a humanitarian man-worship exists in nucleus in india but it has never been sufficiently specialized. Let your students develop it. Make Poetry, make art, Of it. Yes a daily worship at the feet of beggars, after bathing and before the meal, would be a wonderful practical training of heart and hand together. On some days again, the worship might be of children, of your own pupils. Or you might borrow babies and nurse and feed them.

Ibid.: (p.275)

If the women are raised, then their children will be their noble action glorify the name of the country – then will culture, knowledge, power and devotion awaken in the land.

Ibid.: (p.220)