Source: www.al.com
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, May 29, 2009: Mahatma Gandhi wrote that the way we treat our women is an indicator of our barbarism. The ultimate and the only authority on the practices of Hinduism are the four Vedas. That women and men are equal in the eyes of dharma is made explicit in a beautiful verse from the Rig-Veda: “O women! These mantras are given to you equally [as to men]. May your thoughts, too, be harmonious. May your assemblies be open to all without discrimination” Many seers were women in the Vedic period. Indeed, several of them authored many of the verses in the Vedas. The Rig-Veda lists the names of some of the well-known women seers: Ghoshsha, Godha, Vishwawra, Apala, Sri, Laksha and many others.
The Manu-smriti, an ancient text that contained the law codes for ancient Hindu society, extols the virtues of women: “Women are worthy of worship. They are the fate of the household, the lamp of enlightenment for all in the household. They bring solace to the family and are an integral part of dharmic life.” The fact of Hindu scriptures honoring women is testimony to the enlightenment of the Vedas and the Vedic period. Many common social issues such as remarriage of women, widow remarriage, ownership and inheritance of property by women and so on were permitted in the Vedic period.