Re: Women in hinduism?
Originally Posted by
Spiritualseeker
That is too bad. Thanks for showing the info. But it does seem that it could be literal. I was hoping hinduism would be a bit better towards women, but it seems about the same. I wish the verses had not existed.
Namaste SS,
I must thank Reflections for saying it so nicely.
First of all, the quoted verse is disputed. It appears in Kila Kandam of the Brihdaranyaka Upanishad & appears to be added later on. If you read this Upanishad, the topic changes so suddenly from deep discussion on Self to rituals for worldly gains, that it almost shocks the reader.
Moreover, Hindus have been able to keep Spirituality separate from social customs anywhere written in the scriptures. There are so many things written in various scriptures ( there are hundreds of scriptures unlike Islam which has only one) in Hinduism which today have no relevance in Hindu society. Those might have been correct to follow in a particular time but as the time changed, the Hindu society adopted progressive new ideas and it is changing everyday.
In fact, it is also not necessary that all Hindus follow the same social customs ... it varies widely even within India. The customs followed by the Hindus in the South of India, the North of India, the Eastern part of India & the Western part of India vary quite significantly. It is quite reasonable to expect that customs followed by Hindus living outside India would vary even more.
Here one must differentiate between the Abrahimic religions especially Islam & Hinduism. Islam tries to dictate terms on even routine things in one's personal life & one MUST follow that or face the wrath of the Clerics. Hindus don't have any Cleric dictating you how to live with your wife, how to lead your daily life etc. etc. Nobody interferes in your personal life & you are also expected behave in a similar manner duly respecting everyone's personal freedom & privacy.
I think Saidevo ji has given good input on the status of Women in Hinduism earlier in his post.
OM
"Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"
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