Thread by @I_am_the_Story

⭐️Vedic Rishika's - The Female Scholars of the Vedic Age of India and First Feminists of the World
#Thread
Who was Vedic Rishika?
#Sanatan #Vedic #Rishi #Rishika #India #Hinduism

https://twitter.com/I_am_the_Story/status/1646990983828242437

1. During the Vedic Era women had two paths to practice - 1. Brahmavadini who studied philosophy and theology for the rest of their life 2. Sadyowaha who were students till they are married. Vedic society revered women as equals with respect and modesty of values.
#Hinduism… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

2. Brahmavadini was the title attributed to women scholars, who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the study of the Vedas. Some were unmarried, living as ascetics, and independent of their fathers, brothers, or male counterparts. They were paragons of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

3. The Sacred Thread ceremony, called Upanayana, Janeau, or Poita, was conferred on both girls and boys at the age of seven. Post this ceremony, children were admitted to Vedic educational institutions also known as Gurukuls. Many of these gurukuls practiced co-education.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

4. Beyond this many women chose to study means the field of epistemology and metaphysics. They were called "Kasakritsna,s".
#Hinduism #India #Vedic #Rishsika #Rigveda twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

5. All of Rishika were highly educated and contributed to Vedic hymens and various Vedic texts. During the Vedic Era, women were treated with respect and equality. They could get an education, and they could choose life paths from grihastha to brahmajnana to sanyas.
#Hinduism… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

6. 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).
#Hinduism… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

6. In Veda's a Woman was 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.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

7. In Rigveda the famous hymn of Rishika Surya Savitri is full of beautiful sayings and descriptions that show the high regard for women. The new bride is praised as the controller of the household (“वशिनी” ), and the sole sustenance of it and inspiration to the husband… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

8. 8. There are over 36 Rishikas, who specifically, find mention in various Vedic texts. The following are the names of the important Rishikas in alphabetical order:Aditi, Aghnya, Brhati, Chandra, Devakama, Devi, Dhruva, Havya, Ida, Jyota, Kamya, Kshama, Mahi, Mena, Nari,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

9. Vedic education system was based on the concepts of "Shruti" - To listen to the teacher and "Smriti" - To memorize the teachings. Education was imparted by the Rishis in their Ashram-based Gurukuls. All students had to practice celibacy till the time they were students.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

10. Under the Ashram system, the human lifespan was divided into four periods. The goal of each period was the fulfillment and development of the individual. The classical system, in the Ashrama Upanishad, the Vaikhanasa Dharmasutra, and the later Dharmashastra, presents these as… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

11. Brahmacharya (Student Life) -
Age: Till 25 years
Brahmacharya represented the bachelor student stage of life. This stage focuses on education and included the practice of celibacy.
Grihastha (Household Life)
Age: From 25 years to 48 years
This stage referred to the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12. Ashrama and Purushartha
The Ashramas system is one aspect of the complicated Dharma concept in Hinduism. It is combined with the concept of Purushartha, or four proper aims of life in Hindu philosophy, namely, Dharma (piety, morality, duties), Artha (wealth, health, means of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

13. The Vedic literature can be broadly divided into two categories viz. Shruti and Smriti. Shruti describes the sacred texts comprising the central canon of Hinduism viz. Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, & Upanishads. The “Samhita” or 4 Vedas along with their “Brahmanas”, 108… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

14. The 4 Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama & Atharva Vedas) are the original source of all knowledge and they are not attributed to any specific author. They are considered as originating from God, heard and registered by great rishis (seers) of the yore. Hence they are known as Shruti… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…