Feminism In Hinduism, A Brief Account -
Hindu texts present diverse views on the position of women, ranging from feminine leadership as the highest goddess, to limiting gender roles. Today we shall delve into the Feminist side of Hinduism.
Shri Krishna, The Ultimate Feminist -
Krishna is seen as God, the ultimate reality born as a human avatar on earth to teach us about the truth and about himself. His discourse with Prince Arjun is recorded in one of Hinduism most important texts, The Holy Bhagavat Gita. Where Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead reveals the truth of the universe and existence to Arjun.
Here is a verse from the 10th chapter of the Gita where Krishna tells us about his qualities-
Bhagavad Gita 10.34: I am the all-devouring death, and I am the origin of those things that are yet to be. Amongst feminine qualities I am fame, prosperity, fine speech, memory, intelligence, courage, and forgiveness.
Here, Shree Krishna lists fame, prosperity, perfect speech, memory, intelligence, courage, and forgiveness, as virtues that make women glorious. The first three of these qualities manifest on the outside, while the next four manifest on the inside.
Here, Shree Krishna enlists these qualities as his vibhūtis.
(Below is a sketch of Satyabhama, Krishna’s wife dealing a blow to the evil King Narakasura as Krishna watches at her side) -
Not just Krishna but Hinduism has always shown Intelligence, education and fierceness as being feminine qualities.
We have Saraswati- the Goddess of Knowledge and education, a woman.
We have Kaali - The ferocious form of Durga who can annihilate entires armies of demons to protect her children. She is often portrayed as stepping on her husband, the God Shiva who in order to stop her lies in her way submissively. Note that Shiva is also seen as the manifestation of the supreme power in Hinduism and worshiped by millions and yet we find him abandoning his high status and lying under the feet of his wife. (Many lesser evolved ideologies often have a problem with this particular goddess of Hinduism. They call her either demoniac or as being too unwomanly and scary.)
We have Druga - Mother Goddess; Goddess of Power, Strength and Protection.
Navratri, in Hinduism is a major festival held in honour of the divine feminine. Navratri occurs over 9 days during the month of Ashvin. Typically, the festival’s nine nights are dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine principle, or shakti. While the pattern varies somewhat by region, generally the first third of the festival focuses on aspects of the goddess Durga, the second third on the goddess Lakshmi, and the final third on the goddess Sarasvati. Offerings are often made to the goddesses and their various aspects, and rituals are performed in their honour. One popular ritual is Kanya Puja, which takes place on the eighth or ninth day. In this ritual nine young girls are dressed as the nine goddess aspects celebrated during Navratri and are worshipped with ritual foot washing and given offerings such as food and clothing.
You will find many great female scholars and learned Rishikas who have written Hymns of the RigVeda which is Hinduism’s oldest and most scared texts.
The names of these learned Rishikas include Gargi, Ahalya, Maitreyi, Lopamudra, Ghosha, Swaha, Haimavati, Uma , Gautami, Hemalekha, Sita etc.
In Chapter 10 of the Rigveda, the feminine power is eulogised as Devi Shukta, the ultimate power behind all of cosmos:
“I am the Queen, the gatherer-up of treasures, most thoughtful, first of those who merit worship.
Thus Gods have established me in many places with many homes to enter and abide in.
Through me alone all eat the food that feeds them,-each man who sees, breathes, hears the word outspoken
They know it not, yet I reside in the essence of the Universe. Hear, one and all, the truth as I declare it.
I, verily, myself announce and utter the word that gods and men alike shall welcome.
I make the man I love exceeding mighty, make him nourished, a sage, and one who knows Brahman.
I bend the bow for Rudra that his arrow may strike and slay the hater of devotion.
I rouse and order battle for the people, I created Earth and Heaven and reside as their inner controller.
On the world’s summit I bring forth the Father: my home is in the waters, in the ocean.
Thence I prevade all existing creatures, as their Inner Supreme Self, and manifest them with my body.
I created all worlds at my will, without any higher being, and permeate and dwell within them.
The eternal and infinite consciousness is I, it is my greatness dwelling in everything.
— Rigveda 10.125.3 – 10.125.8
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