Last Friday on 8th March, many people around the globe celebrated International Women’s Day. Look at the world around you, women are empowered by their prevailing presence in courts, corporate powerhouses, parliament, entrepreneurs, scientists, writers and social activists – they are everywhere! As a housewife, a mother – they are the strongest in raising a whole family. There is a big difference in the Western world of feminism which is about fight for equality, however, women in ancient India had enjoyed the equal status with men. They were educated and even trained in the art of warfare by choice. Tell you honestly, it is only when I become a living Hindu that I truly feel empowered as a woman. Before that I had suppressed this dimension of me being conditioned by the parents and society. It was only by the grace of my Guru, His Divine Holiness Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam (fondly known as Swamiji) that I discovered the power of Divine Feminine Consciousness. When he awakened this dimension in me, tremendous healing happened in my inner space. I become the embodiment of Shakti, Devi Durga (Cosmic Mother). Last Friday, I facilitated an impromptu session for a group of almost 30 Chinese devotees where I brought understanding to this aspect of Vedic tradition, then I took them through a healing process by invoking the presence of Shakti – Divine Mother.
I also found more scriptural references from Veda Agamas on how women were highly revered in those days from Āpta Pramāṇa (experiences of masters) which was very assuring.
1430. Shakti, is Grace of Sadashiva in Suddha Saivam
She transcends the worlds of Matter, Pure and Impure,
And the seven states of Turiya awareness
And the categories of Real and Unreal,
She is Paraparai;
She grants the soul deliverance;
She is ever within;
She is the Lord’s Divine Grace,
The Arul Sakti that is all pervasive.
1431. Powers manifest with Shakti’s Grace and Bliss in Advaita, Oneness – Shivoham
They transcended Categories Real and Unreal
That cognize neither Chit nor Achit
They attuned themselves to Sivoham meditation,
And in Mukti, in the bliss of Sakti
They were immersed deep,
And there
All Siddhis abounded in surpassing prowess.
1433 Vision of Shuddha Saivam Path
They fixed their thoughts on Perfection
And lost consciousness of Self’s existence
They have reached the End of Vedas;
They followed the Twelve-Way route
To divine rapture
That their vision is,
Those of Suddha Saiva Way.
You should know that the Sanskrit terms used by the husband for the wife were Pathni (the one who leads the husband through life), Dharmapathni (the one who guides the husband in dharma) and Sahadharmacharini (one who moves with the husband on the path of dharma; righteousness and duty). This is how ancient Vedic culture viewed the partnership of husband and wife. In Rig Veda (10.85), the marriage hymn, states that the daughter-in-law should be treated as a queen, sāmrajni, by all the family members especially the mother-in-law, husband, father-in-law.
Woman is designated as:
Aditi, because she is not dependent (Nirukta, 4/22)
Aghnyā, for she is not to be hurt (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Bŗhatī, for she is large hearted (Yajur Veda 11/64)
Chandrā, because she is happy (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Devakāmā, since she is pious. (Atharvar Veda 14/1/47)
Devī, since she is divine (Atharvar Veda 14/1/45, Yajur Veda 4/23)
Dhruvā, for she is firm (Yajur Veda 11/64) ā
Havyā, because she is worthy of invocation (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Idā, for she is worshippable (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Jyotā, because she is illuminating, bright (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Kāmyā, because she is lovable (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Kshamā, for she is tolerant/indulgent /patient (Atharvar Veda 12/1/29)
Mahī, since she is great (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Menā, because she deserves respect (Nirukta 3/21/2)
Nārī, for she is not inimical to anyone (Atharvar Veda 14/1/59)
Purandhih, for she is munificent, liberal (Yajur Veda 22/22)
Rantā, because she is lovely (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Rtāvarī, Rtachit, for she is the preserver / forester of truth (Rig Veda 2/41/18)
Sanjayā, since she is victorious (Rig Veda 10/159/3)
Sarasvatī, since she is scholarly (Yajur Veda 20/84)
Simhī, since she is courageous (Yajur Veda 5/12)
Sivā, for she is benevolent (Atharvar Veda 14/1/64)
Sivatamā, since she is the noblest (Rig Veda 10/85/37)
Strī, since she is modest (Rig Veda 8/33/9, Nirukta 3/21/2)
Subhagā, because she is fortunate (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Subhdhā, for she is knowledgeable (Atharvar Veda 14/2.75)
Sumangalī, since she is auspicious (Atharvar Veda 14/2/26)
Sushevā, for she is pleasant (Atharvar Veda 14/2/26)
Suvarchā, since she is splendid (Atharvar Veda 14/4/47)
Suyamā, since she is self – disciplined. (Atharvar Veda 14/2/18)
Syonā, for she is noble (Atharvar Veda 14/2/27)
Vīriņī, since she is mother of brave sons (Rig Veda 10/86/9, 10)
Vishrutā, since she is learned (Yajur Veda 8/43)
Yashasvatī, for she is glorious (Rig Veda 1.79.1)
Yoşhā, because she is intermingled with man, she is not separate (Nirukta 3/15/1)
In remembrance of Shakti – the divine feminine consciousness, let us celebrate every woman! Namaste 😀