Question & Answer sessions with HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 2015
Vedas and Women
Question:
While Veda is worshiped as Mother Gayatri in a woman’s form, why are women forbidden from learning Vedas? Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji performs Navaratri Navavarana Puja dressed as Mother Sri Mata. But all those who assist him are men. What are the implications in this?
Answer:
Veda as Gayatri Devi is female. Then, why are women not allowed to study the Vedas, is the question.Women have no need to study the Vedas. Even without studying the Vedas, women have the power to obtain the fruit of that study, same as Vedic scholars.
The study of Vedas is very tough. It is not easy like eating peanuts. There are many strict restrictions to follow. It is not that women are incapable. They should not engage in such strict austerities. Women are the basis for the continuation of Creation. If women become engaged in Vedic austerities, it will be a hindrance to the continuity of Creation and family life. Hence, it is decreed that women need not study the Vedas.
Except in the Krita Yuga Vedas were not studied by women. Commentators on Ramayana say that Mother Kausalya knew the Vedas. By constantly listening to the children chanting the Vedas, some women effortlessly learn the Vedas. But women need not make a deliberate effort to study the Vedas. The study of Vedas takes 12-18 years to complete. A thorough study requires 18 years. When women are exempt from it, why demand for it?
You are not required to walk on fire, you are told. Be happy about it. If you rebel and do so, your feet will burn. Merely by the study of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and so on, and by the chanting of Stotras, if women can attain Liberation, you should understand the exalted place that Vedas give to women. It is not that women are deprived of an opportunity. You must change your outlook on this. Both men and women must realize that women have no need for the study of Vedas. Even without it women can attain salvation.
Only women can run a household and raise good children and direct them in the proper way. Men also ought to do it, but they are incapable. The way a mother raises a child is different from the way a father raises a child. We see that difference in single parent households. The mother takes care of the sapling, watering it carefully. The father manages looking after a tree, but not a tender sapling. It is difficult for him. There are problems involved. For the welfare of society, it is said that women need not study the Vedas.
Why do you want to learn the Vedas? It is because you respect the greatness of the Vedas. Right? Then, when that Veda itself says women should not study the Vedas, is it better to abide by that rule, or is it better to rebel against it? You tell me.
Somidevamma or patni is a person who assists the husband during Yajna performance. Such women, from repeated listening, learn the Veda mantras involuntarily. You also listen to the Namakam, Chamakam, Sri Sooktam, and other Veda mantras frequently. From repeated listening, you learn them. Then what should you do? There is nothing wrong if such mantras get registered in your mind without any effort on your part. But it is discouraged that women should deliberately go for the study of Vedas. Vedas are the highest authority. One should follow the instruction given in the Vedas. Or else, face negative consequences. One should follow Sadguru’s instruction. If it is questioned, it means there is no faith in the words of Sadguru.
Why women should not assist Sri Swamiji during the Navavarana Puja is a good question. It is his wish. This question should be addressed to Appaji. If he agrees, perhaps next time you may assist him during the Navavarana Puja. I have no objection.
Jaya Guru Datta