Veda as a Woman : Veda as a Woman Divine Word (‘Vac’) is considered a Devi. In later Hinduism, Sarasvati is the patron deity of Vedas, music, arts and all learning. Vac Sukta (Rigveda 10.125) dealing with revelation of Vedas is attributed to Rishika Vagambhrina Vedic texts often referred to in feminine. E.g., Shrimati Rigveda Samhita Sarasvati River, the earthly manifestation of Devi Sarasvati gave rise to Vedic-Harappan culture. The Gayatri Mantra, the holiest prayer of Hindus in the Vedas, is often represented symbolically as a Devi in classical Hinduism.

Women and Hindu Sprituality : Women and Hindu Sprituality Hindus have been blessed with a continuous, unbroken chain of women Saints , Yoginis, Nuns (Saadhvi), Priestesses (panditaa), Ascetics (Bhikshuni) and Seers (Rishika) who roam all over the world to this day to preach the eternal message of our Dharma. Numerous women Hindu priests and Gurus serve the laity in the United States as well, and preside over temple management, monasteries and other Hindu institutions.Buddhism and Jainism, two offshoots of Hindu Dharma, also have had prominent orders of nuns. Hindu texts are unanimous in declaring that God does not differentiate between men and women. In the Hindu philosophy of Bhakti, or devotion to God, the cowherd women (gopi-s) who resided in the region of Braj in northern India are held as exemplars for all mankind. In traditional enumerations of pious people who were saved by the liberating power of God, both men and women are listed without prejudice.

Women in Hindu spiritual texts : Women in Hindu spiritual texts The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the longest text of Hindu spirituality, describes the proceedings of a marvelous spiritual conference in which the great Sage Yajnavalkya was locked in a debate with several Sages on the other side. Suddenly, a woman sage named Gargi Vachnavi rises and says that if Sage Yajnavalkya can answer her questions, all the other Sages will accept his doctrines . It is noteworthy that all the Sages present there accept her as their spiritual leader and allow her to represent them on their behalf. In the same text, Maitreyi, the wife of Yajnavalkya, motivates him to deliver a memorable sermon on the nature of God and soul. Modern India has honored these illustrious women by founding colleges bearing their names. In a long spiritual lineage given in this text, all the teachers and students are listed as sons of their mothers.  Yajnavalkya with Gargi and Maitreyi In Kena Upanishad, spiritual wisdom appears to Indra as ‘Uma’ Brahmavidya, a woman.

The Lady who would marry none but Lord Vishnu : Andal - One of the 12 Alvar Saints The Lady who would marry none but Lord Vishnu Andal was the adopted daughter of Vishnuchitta, who gathered flowers for a Vishnu temple in Tamil Nadu. Once, he found her wearing the flowers that he had offered to Bhagawan and was angry. But Andal said that she was married to Lord Vishnu, and the Lord Himself appeared to Vishnuchitta in a dream to confirm this. Andal wrote very soul-stirring songs of devotion (called Tiruppavai) which are sung during the month of Margali (Dec-Jan) in several parts of India. Tiruppavai has been translated into several languages and included in the Shri Vaishnava tradition liturgy.

Princess who wedded Lord Krishna : Meerabai the Princess who wedded Lord Krishna Meerabai (16th century) was a Rajput Princess of Mewar who decided in her childhood that her husband was Lord Krishna. She was married to a Rajput prince, but forsaking all formal ties, she traveled between various religious centers associated with Lord Krishna. Her Hindi bhajans (devotional songs) in praise of Rama and Krishna are very popular even today. Meerabai’s soul merged with that of Lord Krishna in Dwaraka when she was 67 years old. Andal-Goda’s songs are recited daily in Shri Vaishnava Hindu liturgy in temples as well as in homes, in India as well as outside India. Her icon is frequently placed alongside that of Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi in temples.

As a child she is supposed to remain in the custody and care of her parents. Once married, she becomes a property and responsibility of her husband, who is supposed to take care of her needs and expectations and keep her in his custody.

And when she becomes old, she lives in the house of her son or sons and has to lead a very solitary and forlorn life.

The Notion of ‘Motherland’ : The Notion of ‘Motherland’ One’s country is always termed as ‘Motherland’, never as Fatherland in recognition of the fact that the land we live in nurtures us lovingly as our own mother. Indians often worship India as ‘Bharatmata’. “Janani janmabhumishcha, svargaadapi gariiyasi” (Sri Rama said that one’s mother and motherland are superior to Heaven)  Iconic representation of Bharat Mata

In ancient times, when a Hindu died, his wife either committed sati on his funeral pyre or retired into a life of social damnation, religious contemplation and perennial solitude. Now the situation has changed. Sati is illegal and an anathema. A widow can now get married again, else keep herself busy by working.

Historically speaking, whether it was in ancient India or medieval India, the status of women in the subcontinent was never good. A present day woman would feel outraged, and rightly so, if she goes through the contents of the Manusmriti, which is particularly harsh against women and treats them with disdain and suspicion. But we have no evidence to believe that the contents of the book were followed by all sections of the society. Probably the Brahmin women were its worst victims and suffered more compared to women of other castes.

The situation is gradually changing. In a changing world, Hindu society is trying to redefine the role of women in the institution of family and society. Politically Hindu women today enjoy an equal status with men and wider opportunities then their counterparts in many western countries. There is a talk to provide them with new privileges and rights including inheritance rights. But a lot still needs to be done on the social and economic front, because women in Hindu society still suffer from gender bias and a number of other problems such as dowry, inheritance, domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, rape and harassment.

Why do Hindu women wear the dot on the forehead?

Not only women, but Hindu men also wear a dot on the forehead, indicating their third eye. The pottu is a very auspicious symbol, reminding those who ear it of their spiritual heritage and ideals, wherever they may be. It also serves to identify a Hindu among the members of all other religions. Muslim girls often cover their face with a veil. Christian girls wear a cross. Jewish boys wear small leather cases holding scriptural passages. Men and women of a particular faith often wish to identify themselves to each other, and they do so by wearing religious symbols which generally are blessed in their temples, churches and synagogues. In many cases a dot on the Hindu woman's forehead is similar to a beauty mark, just as European women used to wear a black dot on their cheek as a beauty mark. An unmarried girl wears a black dot, and a married girl a red one. Nowadays the dot's color complements the color of a lady's sari. "Wearing a dot on the forehead is largely a cultural symbol or a beauty symbol." This may be a good answer to this question if the person who asked the question is a little shallow and possibly antagonistic.

Answer #1: The dot in the middle of the forehead of the Hindu woman is a beauty mark not unlike the beauty marks European and early American women used to wear on the cheek. Let me put one on you right now and then you can look in the mirror and see how it enhances your natural beauty.

Answer #2: In the old days, Hindu men and women wore these marks, and they both also wore earrings. The dot has a mystical meaning, for it represents the Third Eye or spiritual sight which Hindus seek to awaken through yoga. Today, only the most traditional men observe this, but women continue to follow these traditions.

Answer #3: There are many marks other than the dot that we Hindus use. Each mark represents a different sect or denomination of our vast religion. We have four major sects, Saivism, Vaishnavism, Saktism and Smartaism. By these marks we know what a person believes, and therefore know how to begin conversations.

Do not be ashamed to wear the pottu (Bindhi) on your forehead in the United States. It will distinguish you from all other people as very special person, a Hindu, a knower of eternal Truths. You will never be mistaken as belonging to another nationality or religion. For both boys and girls, men and women, the dot should be small or large depending on the circumstance, but should always be there under appropriate circumstances. Naturally, we don't want to flaunt our religion in the face of others. We observe that Christian boys and girls take off or conceal their crosses in the corporate business world.