The indian Constitution guarantees equall rights to both the sexes and does not discriminate
on the basis of sacte, colour and creed
However, despite the constitutional provisions, do womens enjoy equality with men ?
The answer is 'No'. Their condition still remains miserable. Newspaper carry report of rape
and burning of women for not bringing sufficient
dowry or their inability to satisfy the demands of greedy in laws.
Basically, out present attitude towards women streams from our religious scriptures which
efer to women as contempt.
Hindus oldest book are the 'Vedas' which contain highly objectionable and condemnable
passages concerning women.
Taking cue from the 'Vedas' authors of subsequent religious scriptures referred to women in
more contemptuous form.
'Sati pratha' (custom of burning the widow with the body of her husband), 'Dasi Pratha'
(keeping the slave girls), 'Niyog Pratha' (ancient aryan
custom of childless widow or women having sexual intercoutrse with a man other than
husband to beget child), were among cruel customa responsible
for the plight of the women.
Naturally, seeking shelter under such religious sanctions, unscrupulous women disgraced
women to the maximuim possible extent and made them means
of satisfying their lust.
No one wanted a daughter
As a result; female infant came to be considered unwanted. No one wanted a daughter.
Everyone was interested in having a son. The birth of the son
was celebrated, but the birth of the daughter plunged family into gloom.
This attitude still persists, even though certain other customs have undergone changes.
'Rig Veda' itself says that a women should beget sons. The newly married wife is blessed so
that she could have 10 sons.
So much so, that for begetting a son, '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
"O Husband protect the son to be born. Do not make him a women" - Atharva Ved 2/3/23
In 'Shatpath Puran (shatpath Brahman)' a sonless women has been termed as unfortunate.
'Rig Veda' censures women by saying:
"Lord Indra himself has said that women has very little intelligence. She cannot be thaught" -
Rig Ved 8/33/17
At another place it is written:
"There cannot be any friendship with a women. Her heart is more cruel than heyna" - Rig Ved
10/95/15.
'Yajur Ved (Taitriya Sanhita)'m- "Womns code says that the women are withouth energy.
They should not get a share in property. Even to the wicked they speak in feeble manner" -
Yajur Ved 6/5/8/2
Shatpath Puran, preachings of the 'Yajur Veda' clubs women, 'shudras' (untouchables), doga,
crows together and says falsehood, sin and gloom remain integrated in them. (14/1/1/31)
In 'Aiterey Puran', preaching of the 'Rig Veda' in harsih chandra -Narad dialogue, Narad says:
"The daughter causes pain"
ANY COMMENTS ???
[This message has been edited by johnd (edited September 09, 1999).]