women in vedas

[dogra]

There have been a number of verses that have been mistranslated and used by anti hindu elements:

http://agniveer.com/3309/women-in-hinduism/


2. Allegation of Hinduism hater:

‘Vedas’ prescribe a special ritual
 called ‘Punsawan sanskar’ (a ceremony performed during third month of pregnancy). During the ceremony it is prayed:

”Almighty God, you have created this womb. Women may be born somewhere else but sons should be born from this womb” – Atharva Ved 6/11/3
Agniveer:

1. Punsawan Sanskar is recommended for aspirants of both sons and daughters. So there is no male bias here.
2. The mantra meaning has been distorted to suit the agenda. The mantra has a deep meaning. But simply put it means that: “By Grace of Ishwar, woman is able to have a womb and nurture the child therein. May the woman have a son if she desires and planned so ELSE she may have a girl.”
Thus the mantra simply implies that if couple has planned for a boy, may boy be born else girl be born. What translators have done is to translate ‘Anyatra’ as ‘Elsewhere’ instead of ‘In other condition or else’.
3. The Vedic methods of procreation suggest ways of deciding either a boy or a girl. But regardless of the case, Punsawan Sanskar is practiced by all Veda followers. Hence there is no gender bias here.
3. Allegation of Hinduism hater:

“O Husband protect the son to be born. Do not make him a women” – Atharva Ved 2/3/23
Agniveer:

Again case of wrong translation. Actual translation is “Protect the child in womb from infections and diseases. Be it a girl or boy, may it not be troubled.”
Here again, “Ma Pumansam Striyam Kran” is translated as “Do not make boy in womb into a girl”. But how can gender change in womb after fertilization? Actual meaning is “Do not trouble male or female child”.

[Sahasranama]

I am not a big fan of the agniveer site, because they often use (mis)translations and fantasy translations from the Arya Samaj. This whole sect, Arya Samaj, is trying to change Hinduism so that it can stand up against criticism from the abrahamic religions. In the process they are also turning Hinduism into an abrahamic religion (one god, no images, fight superstitious idolators, bla bla bla). The best commentaries we have on the vedas are written by Sayana, even though they might not be perfect with their heavy emphasis on outdated rituals, they still are infinitely times better than the Arya Samaj interpretations of the vedas which are often inspired by the bible and koran.

[dogra]

well dont agree with u as Agniveer quotes from Vedas, there is no idol worship in vedas, also what about topic in hand?

[saidevo]

namaste Dogra and others.

Consider this: Genetically, a man is XY and a woman is XX in the chromosomes that make them up. This explains why our family trees are male-oriented, but then a woman has double the X chromosomes, which makes her powerful and enduring, which could be the reason behind the shAkta--mother goddess, worship in Hindu religion and other ancient traditions. The English saying, 'Behind every successful man is a woman' is also not without its deeper meaning, although it might be of recent origin.

The XY-male also explains the preference of a son for a child in the Hindu Dharma. The son was prescribed to inherit the father's wealth because a woman shares her wealth in her husband's family inheritance. There was also a custom during Vedic times where a woman, if she was the only child (that is, without a brother), was married, she was considered an adopted son of her father, inheriting the rights to his wealth and doing the last ceremonies of her father.

Distorted literal translations and superficial research cannot bring out such deeper truths.

[dogra]

http://agniveer.com/3809/mother-woman/

Well, let us bge clear we worship Mata, and as we all know Mata is in female form so what does this primal point inform us:


Vedas however have a different stand. As per Vedic Dharma, the first and foremost criteria for success of a society is that women are accorded the high respect thatthey rightly deserve. Without that eventhe otherwise noble deeds would be fruitless. The Vedic Woman has to be respected as Mother. Period.
Saraswati, Mata, Usha, Aditi or Devi do not refer to some divine forms that no one ever witnessed

also we have:


Here are a few mantras from Vedas on glory of Woman – the Mother. May we take inspiration from them and accord all women the respect that they rightly deserve. And may all women inspire themselves to get rid of all ignorant acts and rise up to fulfill the great responsibility that they owe to the society.
Rigveda 10.17.10: O Mothers! Purify us with your compassion, understanding and enlightenment. The women cleanse us all from all our sins, corruption and defects. We come out firm, pure and noble from their blessed company.
Yajurveda 6.17: O pure and blessing Mothers! Cleanse us all from sins, immorality and pollution. Purge us from falsehood, hatred, jealousy and frustrations.
Yajurveda 6.31: O pure and blessing Mothers! Satisfy our mind, speech, life, eyes, ears, soul and society with nobleness.
Atharvaveda 3.13.7: O pure and blessing Mothers! I am your beloved son. O powerful mother, please guide me towards fulfillment of my noble aspirations.
Rigveda 6.61.7: O enlightening Mother! You have the potential to destroy the evil. You have a character as pure as gold. You have the potential to destroy the clouds of frustrations and doubt. You are brave and you only aspire for our well-being and success! We are indeed blessed!

[dogra]

3. Allegation of Hinduism hater:

“O Husband protect the son to be born. Do not make him a women” – Atharva Ved 2/3/23
Agniveer:

Again case of wrong translation. Actual translation is “Protect the child in womb from infections and diseases. Be it a girl or boy, may it not be troubled.”
Here again, “Ma Pumansam Striyam Kran” is translated as “Do not make boy in womb into a girl”. But how can gender change in womb after fertilization? Actual meaning is “Do not trouble male or female child”.


Boy or girl does not matter, nerver forget Mata, strenght is Shakti, female form again!

[dogra]

namaste Dogra and others.

The XY-male also explains the preference of a son for a child in the Hindu Dharma. The son was prescribed to inherit the father's wealth because a woman shares her wealth in her husband's family inheritance.
Distorted literal translations and superficial research cannot bring out such deeper truths.


Oh, no:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_rights_of_women_in_history


Rig Veda 3.31.1 : "The right is equal in the fathers property for both son and daughter."
The idea of equality was most forcibly expressed in the Rig Veda (Book 5, hymn 61. verse 8): The commentator explains this passage thus: "The wife and husband, being the equal halves of one substance, are equal in every respect; therefore both should join and take equal parts in all work, religious and secular."



Yajur Veda 20.9 : "There are equal rights for men and women to get appointed as ruler."
Yajur Veda 16.44 : "There should be a women army. Let the women be encouraged to participate in war."

[dhyandev]

The best commentaries we have on the vedas are written by Sayana, even though they might not be perfect with their heavy emphasis on outdated rituals,

Actually sayan is responsible for all this fiasco(which were later picked up by Griffith & Co. for understanding the "tough" sanskrit of the Vedas).
He picked up wrong viniyogs from kaushik sutra & ruined the vedic thought.His misunderstanding of various concepts corrupted by so called Indologists lead to people believing animal sacrifices,abhichar,sorcerism in the vedas

[dogra]

Actually sayan is responsible for all this fiasco(which were later picked up by Griffith & Co. for understanding the "tough" sanskrit of the Vedas).
He picked up wrong viniyogs from kaushik sutra & ruined the vedic thought.His misunderstanding of various concepts corrupted by so called Indologists lead to people believing animal sacrifices,abhichar,sorcerism in the vedas
Interresting as animal sacrifices does not reconcile to God residing in all beings.

[ravi7]

Interesting, and considering the considerable references to female aspects of god, not surprising.