Author: Mukunda Goswami
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: October 11, 2001
Research shows that the countries
with the largest percentage of women in business, government and education
are Sweden, Norway, Denmark and New Zealand. But are these truly the marks
of "freedom" and even if India comes further down the list, does that mean
that its women are less free?
The Vedas teach that Krishna has
an eternal, equal, female counterpart, Radha, who is the personification
of love of God. God is, therefore, worshipped in the dual Radha-Krishna
form.
Throughout history, there have been
great women devotees of the Lord, who are honoured and respected. On the
spiritual platform, men and women are considered equal, with the same opportunity
for spiritual progress through bhakti-yoga. There were, however, different
gender roles.
In an ideal Vedic society, the economy
was household-based and husbands and wives were partners, according to
their social status. The economic base of society was primarily agricultural
and centred around households. This meant that both men and women would
be part of the same economic unit, though with different roles. Generally,
men would be involved in ploughing and herding cows, and women would be
involved in activities around the household. Kshatriyas would be involved
in military and administrative affairs.
With time women also became engaged
in fighting and ruling but continued to be loyal assistants to their husbands.
At the same time they also played a role appropriate to their status as
queens, princesses, etc. The wives of brahmins would assist their husbands
in the performance of religious rituals and teaching. In each case, the
men and women would be partners in a particular activity of their social
order, but with different roles in the partnership.
In the modern West-influenced society,
India has made adjustments. The economy is not totally agricultural or
household-based. So Indian citizens might follow the standard patterns
of either both husband and wife working at some occupation away from the
household, or the husband pursuing a career while the woman stays at home
and takes care of the children. But men and women, as in the Vedic society,
have equal access to spiritual wisdom.
According to tradition and philosophy,
women may take the position of the guru, or spiritual master, and this
has already taken place. In our society we have seen women occupy positions
of importance in the government. But the eternal question remains whether
Indian women are freer than ever?