In the preceding post we tried to understand the simple meaning of Vedic period. From various sources it comes to our notice that during Vedic period women occupied an exalted position. They enjoyed personal freedom and rights equal with men. Within the family a girl child was given all privileges entitled to a son . Girls were allowed to enter into the Gurukulas along with boys. They also received education as like as boys. They were allowed to enter into “Brahmaachary” discipline through “Upanayana” ritual. Women studied the Vedas and Vedic literature like men. After completing education up to certain level majority of women entered into married life or “Grihasthashrama” . In “Grihasthashrama” they performed their familial, social and religious duties in accordance with instructions contained in the Vedas . Marriage was not forcibly imposed upon them and child marriage was totally prohibited. In short it can be said that in the Vedic period marriage was considered as social and religious duties for both man and woman and it was the way of uniting a couple on an equal footing . Monogamy was strictly practiced by a married couple . The couple was termed as “ Dampati” and the term meant two joint owners or two joint heads of the household. So far as the religious performances of the household are concerned women played very prominent role. Even there was prohibition in performance of certain Vedic sacrifices and rituals without presence of wife with husband. However, a small part of women did not prefer to enter into married life . They continued higher studies and performed tough spiritual practices as like as male Vedic Rishis . Among them there were woman authors of the Vedic hymns . It is said that at least twenty women composed Rig Vedic Hymns. Lopamudra, Ghosa, Viswabra are names of some of them . Gargi and Maitreyi were the leading women philosophers of that time. These are some of the general observation made by prominent scholars regarding the status of women during the Vedic period . Being scholar of the Vedas Guru Harideva was aware of these things. So naturally he felt sorry when the poor status of women during his time, that is, mediaeval period, came to his notice and he tried to improve their position as far as possible through his Satra Institution. ( to be continued )
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