In Hindu philosophy, Brahmavadini ("women ascetics"), are women who strive for the highest philosophical knowledge of Brahman, that is, those who strive for greater universal consciousness. This is opposed to a Sadyovadhu, who is normally a sage's wife, and dedicated to domesticity and the welfare of her family. The Sanskrit word brahmavadini is the female equivalent of brahmavadi. According to Monier-Williams’s Sanskrit-English Dictionary, "brahmavādín" means ‘discoursing on sacred texts, a defender or expounder of the Veda, one who asserts that all things are to be identified with Brahman’. It doesn't mean "one who speaks like God".
Notable Brahmavadini
[edit]Notable Brahmavadini include: Vak Ambhrini, Lopamudra, Vishwawara, Sikta, Ghosha, Gargi Vachaknavi, and Maitreyi.
Lopamudra was the wife of the sage Agastya.[1] A hymn in the Rigveda is attributed to her.
Two suktas (hymns) of the tenth Mandala (book) of Rigveda, 39 and 40, each containing 14 verses, have been attributed to Ghosha.[1] The first hymn praises the Ashvins while the second hymn is a personal wish expressing her intimate feelings and desires for married life.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Vedic Women: Loving, Learned, Lucky!". Archived from the original on 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2006-12-24.