This article explores the position of women in Hinduism, from ancient times to the modern day scenario. It discusses the societal constraints faced by women, the changes in mindset, and the role of family values. It also emphasizes the need for women empowerment.
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Running head: SOCIOLOGY Introduction to philosophy Name of the Student: Name of the University: Author’s Note: Student number: Course code:
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2INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY Hinduism is one of the oldest cultures in India. India is said to be a land of many different cultures and traditions. There are a large number of gods and goddesses worshipped in the Indian culture. The position of women has been subjected to many changes from the ancient time till the modern days. It must be noted that men and women are considered to be same in the eyes of Hinduism. However it is the society that often differentiates between men and women. Right from the ancient days, women have been considered inferior to men. They are always subjected to huge pressure and shame from the upper layers of society1. It is argued that the state of women have been worsened a lot in the modern day scenario in comparison to the pre Independence era. However it must be noted that women have been given a large inclusion different sectors in the modern day scenario. It must be noted that in Hindu religious context women are often compared to Goddesses. Women are said to be Shakti and is often compared to Goddess Durga as a symbol of power and eternal strength. However one cannot overlook the same Hindu society that bars women from entering into the temples due to their biological conditions. Going back to the ancient day’s one can see how women were lays kept confined within the four walls of their houses. Just as people had a great devotion and believed in their religious deities they treated their family women in the same manner. The ancient Hindu family context thought that women are vulnerable and must be kept preserved and protected. Thus there were many strict laws imposed on women and they were not allowed to step outside their homes or mingle with people in any of the social gatherings. Women were considered chase and they were only directed to stay in their houses and carry on with their family duties2. These efforts were taken to safeguard the morality of women but at the same time this social norms curbed the freedom, independence of women as well. There are both Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu 1Shepherd, Kancha Ilaiah.Why I am not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy. SAGE Publications India, 2019. 2Smith, David. "Hinduism." InReligions in the Modern World, pp. 57-88. Routledge, 2016.
3INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY mythology3. However, worshipping the Goddesses is seen as a source of inspiration for women. Though Goddess Durga is seen as the fight goddess, but she is also portrayed under a patriarchal structure. The Hindu women were mainly taught to witness the family devotion that these powerful Goddesses have towards their husband and their family. Durga is always seen surrounded by her children and her husband. Thus she was worshipped as a symbol of family love and devotion rather than feminine strength and power. Thus the ancient Hindu people were mainly concerned about asking their female figures to develop themselves as good family figures taking care of their husband and children4. One must also note about Goddess Kali. She is the symbol of aggression, destruction and power. Goddess kali is depicted in a very violent figure when she was in a bad mood and was running wildly killing anyone that came in her way5. Her husband Shiva had to come to stop her. Goddess Kali was so made in anger that she overlooked Lord Shiva and was about to kill him as well. Just then she realized and got over her aggression. The moral as depicted by Hindu religious contexts Purusa defeated Prakriti which means the normal order was establish and everyone could live in harmony , However this example is used by Hindu society to say that women must adhere to her man or to her husband. Only then the world can stay in peace and this is the rule or the law of nature. Women must not be left free and must always be controlled by men. However this concept was used by society in order to dominate women. Right from the ancient days the evil social practices like Sati is evident of the fact that women were never given a choice to lead their lives as per their choice6. 3Ghosh, Rajashi, and Aindrila Chatterjee. "Indian Women in Leadership: An Introduction." InIndian Women in Leadership, pp. 1-9. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. 4Holden, Livia.Hindu divorce: A legal anthropology. Routledge, 2016. 5Patel, R., 2018.Hindu women's property rights in rural India: law, labour and culture in action. Routledge. 6Bhasin, Shubhi. "Plight of Indian Women as Sketched in the Poetry of Kamala Das." Print Version, Volume 4, Issue 12(2016).
4INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY Men on the other hand were always considered to be very powerful and the controlling figure. The male deities like lord Shiva has always been compared to the power and personality of the men. This must be noted that just as Lord Shiva is the creator and the preserver of nature, men in the ancient Hindu families were also given this similar status. Thus, man was the bread earner of the family and was also the main decision maker. He could go put to get an education, grow up to join a job and marry as per his choice. On contrary all these rights and freedom were denied to women. However in the modern day scenario these social constraints have undergone several changes. Females have now becomes independent. They are also being supported by the society to take up different challenging roles. In the modern Indian context Hindu women are the freedom of attending schools, colleges and also choosing their partners as per their choice. It is also seen that Hindu women have the capability of wearing dresses as per their choice but this is different in case of Muslim women. Even in India, the Muslim women are asked to stay in pardahs7. Women are also economical advanced. In the modern day scenario people have undergone changes in their mindset8. They are allowing the females to have a proper earning source of their own. In the modern day scenario, it is seen that women are also free to do inter religious and inter-caste marriages. Many NGOs and other female groups are trying their level best to support the females. Earlier the cultural influence taught females to develop family binding skills. Even if girls were allowed to go to school or colleges, they were only asked to study home science so that they can manage the household affairs after their marriages. They were never given the chance to stay alone or single9. It was a known fact that all the girls have to get married and bear children. However women are still fighting for their cause as they have not 7Hussein, Nazia, and Saba Hussein. "Interrogating practices of gender, religion and nationalism in the representation of Muslim women in Bollywood: contexts of change, sites of continuity."Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal2, no. 2 (2015): 284-304. 8Roy, Kumkum. "The History of Hindu India: From Ancient to Modern Times, Social Studies: A Textbook for All Ages." (2017): 91-97. 9Hussain, Yasmin.Writing diaspora: South Asian women, culture and ethnicity. Routledge, 2017.
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5INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY got a proper inclusion or freedom. This is evident from the domination seen on women in many of the remote and undeveloped regions of India. In some or the remote village areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan it is seen that women are still uneducated and confined10. The caste system is so strict in those areas that the families members even try to kill their own daughters if they are found entering into inter caste romantic relationships. Family values and the teachings serve as the major aspects of shaping the mentality of people. Hindu families are always seen as a unifying factor that helps in the binding all the people together. In the ancient context females were taught to act as the controller of all household affairs. The male figures were the sole decision maker and the guardian figure of the family. However in the modern context the families have realized that daughters are not to be treated as burden rather they are equally important as sons. Thus they have to be given a teaching of growing up and establishing a proper identity of their own. They have to make sure that there is no disparity between men and women. It is his collective responsibility of the Government and the community to challenge the age old norms and work for women empowerment. 10Gangoli, Geetanjali.Indian feminisms: Law, patriarchies and violence in India. Routledge, 2016.
6INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY References Bhasin, Shubhi. "Plight of Indian Women as Sketched in the Poetry of Kamala Das."Print Version, Volume 4, Issue 12(2016). Gangoli, Geetanjali.Indian feminisms: Law, patriarchies and violence in India. Routledge, 2016. Ghosh, Rajashi, and Aindrila Chatterjee. "Indian Women in Leadership: An Introduction." In Indian Women in Leadership, pp. 1-9. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. Holden, Livia.Hindu divorce: A legal anthropology. Routledge, 2016. Hussain, Yasmin.Writing diaspora: South Asian women, culture and ethnicity. Routledge, 2017. Hussein, Nazia, and Saba Hussein. "Interrogating practices of gender, religion and nationalism in the representation of Muslim women in Bollywood: contexts of change, sites of continuity." Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal2, no. 2 (2015): 284-304. Patel, R., 2018.Hindu women's property rights in rural India: law, labour and culture in action. Routledge. Roy, Kumkum. "The History of Hindu India: From Ancient to Modern Times, Social Studies: A Textbook for All Ages." (2017): 91-97. Shepherd, Kancha Ilaiah.Why I am not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy. SAGE Publications India, 2019. Smith, David. "Hinduism." InReligions in the Modern World, pp. 57-88. Routledge, 2016.