Thread by @Iamthestory_

⭐️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

1. During the Vedic Era women had two paths to practice -
a). Brahmavadini who studied philosophy and theology for the rest of their life
b). Sadyowaha who were students till they are married. Vedic society revered women as equals with respect and modesty of values.

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. /n

#Hinduism

2(a) They were paragons of intellectual proficiency, natural philosophy, and spiritual enlightenment. They were Rishika's–female sages–in their own right and were revered as teachers, doctors, and theorists.

#Hinduism

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. /n

3(a) However, with the advent of women teachers, called Upadhyayanis, there were also an increasing number of educational institutions dedicated to girls pursuing higher education.

#Hinduism

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

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

6. 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, /n
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6(a) Nari, Purandhih, Ranta, Ratavari, Sanjeya, Sarasvati, Simhi, Shivi, Shivatama, Stri, Subhaga, Subhada, Sumangali, Susheva, suvarcha, Suyama, Syona, Virini, Vishruta, Yashaswati and Yoshi.
Let us know about some famous Rishikas of vedic era:
#Hinduism

7. Lopamudra
Lopamudra was the wife of Rishi Agastya. She was a well known female philosopher. She visualized the “Panchadasi” mantra of the Sakta tradition of Hinduism. Together with her husband, she became a teacher of the Lalita Sahasranama, /n
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7(a) hymns listing the thousand names of the Divine Mother, Devi Shakti. She wrote a hymn of 6 verses in the Rig Veda, titled Rati Love. The hymn emphasizes the importance of sexual fulfilment in marriage as a means to attaining both immortality and spiritual enlightenment.

8. Ghosha
Ghosha ,the vedic seer came from a learned family. Her father Rishi Kakshivan and grandfather Dirgitamas have contributed in the construction of Rigveda. From childhood she suffered from a skin ailment (leprosy) /n

8(a) and found hard to get married hence remained celibate for a long period of life. She vehemently prayed to Ashwins, the physician twins of vedic times who were endowed with divine power of rejuvenation. They taught her Madhu Vidya, the science of secret leaning /n

8(b) which cured her ailment and reinstated her youth and beauty. Her hymns in the praise of Ashwins and her innate desires of getting married are recorded in the tenth Mandala of Rigveda.

#Hinduism

9. Maitrayee
Maitrayee was the daughter of Rishi Mitra and niece of Gargi. Maitreyi was the wife of Yajnavalkya. She is renowned as one of the most intellectual and virtuous women philosophers of the Vedic period. She wrote ten hymns in the Rig Veda. Her most famous discourse /n

9(a) with her husband explores the Hindu concept of the Oneness of the Soul Atman and the Ultimate Reality Brahman, including the nature of love. The dialogue itself is a theological wonder, /n

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9 (b) because Maitreyi challenges Yajnavalkya’s theories as a seeker of ultimate knowledge and he acknowledges her questions by sharing his own spiritual convictions.

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10. Gargi
Gargi an ascetic woman was one of the nine gems (Navratna) in the court of King Janaka – the only female scholar. She was the daughter of sage Vachaknu. From a very young age she possessed the confidence and acumen to debate with the scholar men in the royal courts. /n

10(a) She was highly educated and exhibited her exemplary intelligence in the study of Brahman – material and nonmaterial world, creation, the concept of time, metaphysics etc. She is known for her debate with Advaita philosopher and sage Yajnavalkya /n

10(b) where she asked him profound questions about the universe. This dialogue is well recorded in Yogayajnavalkya Samhita. When she was defeated against the sage Yajnavalkya, she accredited him for his indepth mastery of knowledge which shows her benevolence and greatness.

11. Vakdevi
Vakdevi also called as Vak Ambrani was the daughter of Rishi Ambhruna. She was a spiritually advanced soul. She transcended her individuality and ego to such an extent that enabled her not only to speak to Goddess Durga but to speak as Goddess herself. /n

11(a) She has eulogized herself in the suktam and had realized the Brahman. She composed the Devi Suktam, also called Vak Suktam consisting of eight stanzas in praise of the Goddess. /n

11(b) It is the 125th hymn in the tenth mandala of Rigveda. Today it is chanted all over the world in the regular temple prayers.

12. Those who question the Vedic staus of Womanhood shall read this thread and understand the level of respect and intelligence Women commanded in Vedic society. That is the beauty of Bharat Varsha and Sanatana. Be proud of your roots and culture.
Radhe Radhe

13. This thread is from my old, suspended account. Due to Twitter restrictions, I cannot share all the details, but still, it is worth sharing. Please spread the light of Sanatana and share it with everyone.