For questions about issues in Hinduism that specifically affect or concern women.
6
votes
1answer
129 views
What is the correct translation, context & interpretation of a verse, which demeans women?
Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajurveda has the following verse. [Translated by Arthur Berriedale Keith and emphasis mine]. From archive.org
Women are powerless, have no inheritance, and speak more ...
1
vote
1answer
119 views
Does SB 4.25.41 give a hint to the thing that women like men who are expert in rape?
Often purport are used to understand verses of scripture in clearer way. In purport S.B. 4.25.41, Sri AC Bhaktivedanata Prabhupada comments in the last part of commentary as:
In this regard, the ...
1
vote
0answers
207 views
Why did Prabhupada make objectionable comments on women in SB 4.25.41 purport? [closed]
Prabhupada is the Propagator of ISKCON which is a world wide organization and which is related to vaishnavism.
I came to know about following remarks made by him about women.
It is not that the ...
5
votes
0answers
90 views
What is the significance of bride leading the groom during Saptapadi?
This question has nothing to do with feminism or anything else. In Vedic or Hindu religion every step has deep meaning or significance. I know the significance of sacred oaths taken during Saptapadi. ...
4
votes
1answer
73 views
What do dharma shastras say about women inheritance?
What do different dharmashastras say about distribution of will among the heirs as well as inheritance by female children and other inheritance laws.
2
votes
0answers
61 views
What is the punishment given for using filthy and vulgar language towards women [duplicate]
What's the punishment given for abusing, using filthy vulgar language towards wife and children according to scriptures?
6
votes
1answer
80 views
Does rAmAyaNa mention women chanting vedic mantras?
In some place I read that the queens KausalyA and Kaikeyi are mentioned chanting vedic mantras.
For example they chanted when lord Rama and his brothers were born.
Also Sri Kaushalya used to offer ...
1
vote
1answer
162 views
What is Hinduism's view of marital rape?
Marital rape has been one of the most controversial social issues raised by feminists over the last century. It has been widely recognised in the western world as a form of domestic violence and ...
3
votes
1answer
170 views
What types of [non-intimate] friendly touches are allowed with other women?
As per scriptures, is it allowed for men to touch either married or unmarried women, not from own family, with or without her permission?
The touch I used here refers to handshakes, keeping hands on ...
2
votes
2answers
140 views
Is the 6th section/Putramantha Brahmana of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad shruti?
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 6.4.7:
If she does not willingly yield her body to him, he should buy her
with presents. If she is still unyielding, he should strike her with a
stick or with his hand ...
7
votes
1answer
129 views
Are husband and wife, associated/affected by each others' sins?
Is it true, that husband is associated in his wife's sin but the wife is not associated in her husband's sin?
Example: Robber Valia's wife told him that I have not associated with your sin. Later he ...
3
votes
0answers
32 views
Names of Brahmavadinis in our puranas and vedas [duplicate]
I want to know about exemplary women who realised brahman and became brahamavadinis mentioned in our puranas and vedas. Few names and their short backstory will suffice.
2
votes
0answers
106 views
Which Hindu scriptures discuss the Sati practice?
My teacher said that the Sati practice was not actually a common practice and does not belong to our dharma. Vedic Religion was there from around 500 BC but Sati started from around 4th century (I ...
5
votes
1answer
75 views
What is the position of Women in the Vedic era?
Since there are lot of difference of opinion and lack of clarity regarding women and its status in hinduism, especially in the Vedas. There is a lack of clarity with respect to the important things ...
9
votes
2answers
394 views
Why should a girl leave her home after marriage?
After the marriage, the wife has to live at her husband's home. What do our scriptures say about this custom?
1
vote
2answers
90 views
How various 'Kavach Stotras' from Hindu Puranas can protect women from suffering molestation and other severe crimes? [closed]
We come across various Kavachas or Armours of deities which claim that the one who reads them will be protected.
Nowadays we see the crimes against women are ever increasing. Isn't it the right time ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
Shall we name our girl children after the name of rivers?
Nowadays, we can see many girls are named after the names of rivers like Ganga, Narmadha, etc., Is this allowed in our holy books? Provide your answer along with reference.
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Are Hindu scriptures pro- or anti-dowry?
Do Hindu scriptures discuss the topic of dowry (which Google defines as "property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage")?
Do they take pro or anti stance on this practice?
...
2
votes
1answer
128 views
Menstruation myth in Hindu culture [duplicate]
Why are Hindu women not allowed to enter prayer areas like temples while they are menstruating?
I want to know that why are they not allowed to worship not asked to be separate from family for three ...
2
votes
1answer
125 views
Does scripture say that widows are inauspicious.?
Among other things, I understand that a widow is not allowed to give her son/daughter away in marriage, only a husband-wife couple can do so.
4
votes
1answer
120 views
Which scriptures contain information about Stri Rajya?
Stri Rajya is a matriarchal kingdom located somewhere in Uttarpath and mentioned in several Hindu Scriptures like Kama Sutra and Sanskrit works (based on Hindu Scriptures), like Raghuvamsa and ...
2
votes
2answers
93 views
What are the counter-arguments within Hinduism against the Satī (sahamaraṇa) system?
Are there any counter-arguments within Hinduism against the concept/practice of Satī?
I heard that some commentators/interpreters of scripture believe the widow actually goes to hell since self-...
3
votes
0answers
43 views
Do women face problem in conceiving if she wears rudraksh, does rudraksh has negative effect for women? [duplicate]
I have bought 2 Mukhi and 9 Mukhi rudraksh recently and I was wearing it. I hadn’t felt any negative effect till now. But one of the priest told me that wearing rudraksh creates problem in pregnancy. ...
0
votes
0answers
162 views
In Tantric tradition is menstruation not seen as a taboo?
Devdutt Pattanaik in this video says that unlike the Vedic traditions, menstruation is not seen as a taboo in Tantric traditions. In fact, it was worshipped and celebrated.
Is this claim true?
...
-2
votes
2answers
229 views
Is libido in men greater than women? Or is it the other way round?
There is a popular notion that men crave for sex more than women. And medical science seems to agree with it.
But what do Hindu scriptures say about this?
For example, the Mahābhārata version ...
0
votes
1answer
597 views
Why is the queen required to sleep next to the dead horse at the end of Aśvamedha Yajña?
From the Wikipedia article on Aśvamedha Yajña:
After this, the horse, a hornless he-goat, a wild ox (go-mrga, Bos gaurus) are bound to sacrificial stakes near the fire, and seventeen other animals ...
3
votes
0answers
59 views
What is the view of different dharma shastras on domestic violence against women?
What do different dharma shastras say about domestic violence against women, is domestic violence treated as sin in majority of them? I would like to know from different dharma shastras especially the ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views
Are there any Gods who are girls?
I like to listen to the song. God is a girl.
So, I got curious.
Are there any Goddesses in any scriptures who are girls.
By girls I mean those that they look like around 13 years old.
4
votes
2answers
101 views
Was Satī (sahagamana) limited one particular varṇa (kṣatriya)? Was it also applicable to brāhmaṇa and other women?
When it was allowed, was the practice of Satī a.k.a sahagamana meaning 'going with' or sahamaraṇa ('dying with') limited to one particular varṇa, the kṣatriya?
Or was it applicable to brāhmaṇa and ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Men are treated as god for women or both treated as same according to hinduism? [duplicate]
I have listened to both of them true. but I want to know what the Hindu scriptures say about it.
Is there any scripture says that men are equivalent to god for women?
and
Is there any scripture ...
6
votes
1answer
128 views
Which scripture say any woman having intercourse with 5 different men is a prostitute?
From this answer, I found
The celebrated Pandu, tempted by the desire of having more children wished to speak again unto his wedded wife (for invoking some other god). But Kunti addressed him, ...
7
votes
3answers
476 views
Are there any temples exclusively for women?
I have listen that, there are some specific god's and temples where women are not allowed to go and touch the idols. And men only can worship them, or go to their temple or touch them like Shani Dev ...
4
votes
0answers
47 views
Is there any scriptural basis for this astrologer's claims that the character of a woman depends on the timing of her first menstruation?
I was watching a YouTube video recently where the speaker said that one astrologer in his pañcāṅga (almanac) claimed that a woman's character and what the woman goes on to become in her later life ...
1
vote
2answers
547 views
Did Adi Shankara say that women and low castes cannot attain moksha?
According to a Facebook post, Adi Shankara taught his followers that women and low caste people are exempted from attaining moksha. This is what the bizarre post said:
Vedanta holds that this ...
6
votes
2answers
124 views
Do any scriptures say that women must worship God instead of their husbands and become self-dependent?
Usually Hindu scriptures have stressed at woman being subservient to their husbands and they can never be independent et cetera.
The reason behind this must be because (especially in that ...
3
votes
0answers
145 views
Any examples of remarried widows (punarbhū) in Hindu scripture?
Here are the dictionary meanings of the word पुनर्भू (punarbhū):
mfn. being renewed, restored to life or youth RV. AV.
f. a virgin widow re-married AV. &c
f. re-existence W.
I'm ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Aren't girls allowed to have twin-braid hairstyle?
I came across a facebook post that today schools instruct girl students to have twin braid hairstyle due to lack of knowledge in Sastras, but actually as per Sastras it is prohibited. Is it true? If ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Do children get contaminated by touching menstruating women?
Do children get contaminated by touching mother while she is in menstruation? If a mother is in isolation but the child comes and touches her, again goes and touch other persons, will it contaminate ...
3
votes
0answers
62 views
Are women allowed to undergo upanayana? [duplicate]
It is generally accepted that only males can undergo upanayana and that women do not have the right it. However, according to the Wikipedia article on upanayana, women in some regions are allowed to ...
6
votes
1answer
384 views
In what ways vedas give equal respect to women?
Hindu texts present diverse and
conflicting views on the position
of women, ranging from feminine
leadership as the highest
goddess, to limiting her role to
an obedient daughter, housewife
and mother. ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
What does Padma Purana I.43.128b-133b say?
What does Padma Purana I.43.128b-133b say? Does it say the following:
Joining her lotus-like hands and concealing her face the beloved of the Mountain saluted the sage, a heap of lustre…Then the ...
1
vote
2answers
122 views
Is it a sin for a girl if she marries after puberty?
I have heard from some people that scriptures sanction marriage for girls before puberty. Some people also say that it is sinful for a girl to marry after puberty and that such girls should atone for ...
4
votes
1answer
242 views
What curse did Earth, Water, and Trees get by taking Indra's sin of Brahmahatya of Viśvarūpa upon themselves?
I learnt that women got menstruation for taking 1/4th of Indra's sin of Brahmahatya. What curse did the other three entities get?
3
votes
1answer
323 views
What does Atharva Veda 14.1.20 say?
What does Atharva Veda 14.1.20 say? Is it anyhow related to women?
3
votes
1answer
89 views
Are women forbidden to recite the Chandipath?
Chandipath recitation is a very common practice in Bengal. However, I have seen many people saying the practice is only restricted to males and that women are forbidden to recite it. What is the ...
4
votes
1answer
406 views
What is the context of Adi Shankara's statement “Woman is the gateway to hell” found in his work Prashnottari?
While reading the article "Bhoga, Moksha and Jivanmukti in Tantra" on Kamakotimandali, i was surprised to know that in one of his works Adi Shankara said "Women are like the gates to hell".
I want to ...
5
votes
1answer
221 views
What is the definition of Sati Nari in kaliyug?
In the Ramayana, we call Sita a Sati Nari, I listen it from my childhood days.
As I don't know what Sita was doing or having so that she call as Sati.
But In Kaliyuga we are here up to what we ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the overall take of Hinduism on menstruation?
One of the debated topic related to Hinduism is menstruation and related matters. There are some texts including smritis which seem to depict menstruation with antipathy.
In some of the regions and ...
7
votes
2answers
663 views
How the Gotra of a woman is changed during marriage?
Gotra of women will change from her father's Gotra to husband's Gotra. How this will happen? Is there any Mantra?
2
votes
0answers
126 views
Can a woman take the deeksha for mudra (applied on daily basis just like men - but only on hands and face) after or before menopause?
Can a woman take the deeksha for Thaptha mudra after menopause?
