Questions tagged [women]
For questions about issues in Hinduism that specifically affect or concern women.
302
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Why do sanyasa scriptures degrade women?
I found many anti-women verses in "so called" Sanyasa-upanishads. I am disappointed to see such hatred and prejudice towards women. Women are compared with objects, animals and what not ! ...
3
votes
2
answers
520
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Regulations on women in Vedic India
I have come across a lot of more-religious-less-historic books pertaining to history, which claim that the position of women from the beginning of Vedic civilisation, was ascribed by the scriptures, ...
3
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1
answer
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Why Manusmriti and Mahabharata say women are living lies?
Manusmriti 9:17
शय्याऽऽसनमलङ्कारं कामं क्रोधमनार्जवम् । द्रोहभावं कुचर्यां च
स्त्रीभ्यो मनुरकल्पयत् ॥ १७ ॥
śayyā''sanamalaṅkāraṃ kāmaṃ krodhamanārjavam | drohabhāvaṃ kucaryāṃ
ca strībhyo ...
3
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2
answers
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What is the punishment in hell for women who commit adultery?
For example, Brahmanas who drink liquor will have molten lead poured down their throat in hell, men who commit adultery will be forced to embrace a burning hot, iron image of a woman, those who eat ...
3
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1
answer
199
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Guarding of women's quarter in the later Vedic and Puranic eras
We come to learn from the Mahabharata and various puranas that Krishna had 16,000 or 16,100 wives besides his 8 principal consorts. Is there any direct or indirect reference in any of the major/minor ...
3
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2
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490
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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 ...
3
votes
1
answer
511
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Why are there restrictions for women in Hindu temples (in general)? [duplicate]
I am here talking in general & not related to a specific temple or place. Why are women not allowed to touch an idol of God or come near it? Is it related to their menstrual cycle? If so, why is ...
3
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1
answer
480
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Were there women teachers in Gurukulas?
Hindu mythology has mentions of the Gurukula system of education. I have heard how the Guru and the Guru-Patni (Guru's wife) lived with their students.
However, the Guru (teacher) is always a man. ...
3
votes
2
answers
566
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Did any king perform tapasya for a female child?
Did any king perform tapasya for a female child?
For example - like King Dasaratha performed the putrakamesthi yajña.
3
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3
answers
486
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Emotion of Subhadra during her marriage
There are two questions on this site regarding the marriage between Subhadra and Arjuna:
Arjun and Subhadra's marriage
Arjuna and Subhadra marriage
But no question or answer deals with the emotion of ...
3
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1
answer
113
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Women who ruled kingdom being Jivan muktha
I heard about a women ruled a kingdom after becoming Jivan muktha.
The story from yoga vasista goes like this:
A women attains the state of Jivan muktha. Her husband leaves kingdom and goes to forest ...
3
votes
1
answer
157
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Is it common in the previous yugas for a women to have multiple husbands? Like Draupadi had [duplicate]
Draupadi had five husbands but no where in the Mahabharatam its described as out of the ordinary, as of my knowledge, or its described as a sin. Is it common in those eras to have multiple husbands ...
3
votes
1
answer
596
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When does all water become impure as a result of sharing Indra's guilt of brahminicide?
As per the Puranic story being discussed in this post Indra, after killing the demon called Vritra, acquired the brahmahatya dosha. His gulit was thereafter shared by women, earth, water and the trees....
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1
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198
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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
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1
answer
167
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Is it wrong to hug a friend of the opposite gender?
I was listening to a katha and the katha vachak said that in our shastras, it is forbidden even to touch a female wooden toy. In which shastra is it mentioned that you shouldn't touch/hug females?
...
3
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294
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Are husbands required to give up their lives to save their wives?
Is a husband required to sacrifice his own life, if needed, to save his wife's life?
Are there any scriptures commanding this, or any scholars dealing with this question?
3
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0
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303
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Notion of "Patni Parameshvari (Wife is the Supreme Goddess)" - found in scriptures?
Similar to this question where I ask: Is notion of Pati - Parameśvara (husband is the Supreme Lord) based on scriptures?
Does canonical texts enjoin: Patnī Parameśvarī (पत्नी परमेश्वरी) - i.e., A Wife ...
3
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0
answers
182
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Is any variant of Sati prescribed for men in scriptures?
It well-known that the primary purpose of marriage is to begot children.
Since humans begets children through sexual reproduction. The role of men is very limited. He needs to contribute his tejas, ...
3
votes
0
answers
197
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Does Hinduism have any test for virginity?
Do Hindu scriptures tell us how to test if someone is a virgin or not? (Male or female)
Which scripture tells about this process and what are the details of it?
3
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0
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201
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“You don't strike a woman even with a flower”
There’s a proverb “You don’t strike a woman even with a flower” (or … (your) wife …; at least “ženu ani květinou neuhodíš” in Czech language/culture — there's also a comedy movie based on that).
...
3
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0
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186
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Which mantras from Tāṇḍya Mahābrāhmaṇa can only be recited by women?
This Times of India article claims that certain mantras from Tāṇḍya Mahābrāhmaṇa (a.k.a Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa) can only be recited by women:
In fact, there is nothing mentioned in the Vedas that points ...
3
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111
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Did Lopamudra ever receive Upanayana?
Lopamudra was a female Rishi who revealed Vedic mantras and did lots of Tapas, as per Mahabharata:
And obtaining her as wife, Agastya addressed Lopamudra, saying, 'Cast
thou away these costly ...
3
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0
answers
98
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Do scriptures allow men to perform last rites for relatives that are still alive?
According to this news report, a group of Indian men decided to perform last rites for their former wives.
They say taking a dip in the Ganga redeems you of all your sins. But a group of Indian men ...
3
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0
answers
119
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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?
3
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0
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41
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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.
3
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64
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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. ...
3
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0
answers
212
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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 ...
3
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0
answers
160
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Which activities are forbidden in Hinduism for women compared to men?
Women are not allowed to do several activities during their menstrual period.
Apart from those, are there any activities forbidden for women permanently compared to men?
Example: There are very ...
3
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0
answers
169
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Where is it mentioned about story and reason for women periods (menstruation) in our religious texts? [duplicate]
I came across a story in which once Brihaspati left Indra and due to that Indra appointed another Brahmin for a Yagna and since he was half Asur (born from Asur mother, therefore, he made Yagna ...
3
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0
answers
644
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Why does Hinduism advocate Kanya-Dan over Putra-Dan?
Why do Hindu women leave their parents' house and go to husbands or in-laws place after marriage?
While this is a custom among almost all the religions; I'm interested in knowing if there is any ...
3
votes
1
answer
1k
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What is the significance of smearing of Kumkuma on the chest by women in the scriptures?
Srimad Bhagavatam, while describing the consorts of Lord Krishna, such as Srimati Rukmini and others, and the close associates of Lord Krishna such as the gopikas and the women in Mathura, frequently ...
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3
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Why killing someone, stealing and drinking, all are equated on a same level of offense?
Manu Smriti 11.65 - 11.66
11.65. Neglecting to kindle the sacred fires, theft, non-payment of (the three) debts, studying bad books, and practising (the arts of)
dancing and singing,
11.66. Stealing ...
2
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1
answer
1k
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Do Vedas support the practice of Satī?
Are there any instances of Satī in the Vedas?
Do Vedas support this practice?
Some people argue RV 10.18.8 is evidence against Satī. What is the context of this hymn/verse?
HYMN XVIII. Various ...
2
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2
answers
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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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
324
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Did Shiva's army molest women during Daksha Yajna?
In Shiva Purana I heard it's mentioned that Shiva's army consisting of Bhūtas (bhūta gaṇa), Vetālas etc., molested many women who attended the Daksha Yagna. Is this true?
If yes, how is this action ...
2
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2
answers
291
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How can a man kill his sexual desires or desires towards women?
How can a man kill his sexual desires or desires towards women ?
2
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1
answer
397
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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 ...
2
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1
answer
90
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Where in scriptures are menstruating women not allowed to do bhakti?
Is it mentioned anywhere in scriptures (with reasoning if possible) that women cannot pray during menstruation?
Thanks in advance.
2
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1
answer
600
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After marriage why do papa and punya not come to women?
Why does paapa go to the husband if a wife commits paapa after marriage? Why does it not go to the wife?
2
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1
answer
926
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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
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1
answer
454
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Why isn't there a female Shankaracharya in Hinduism? [duplicate]
Why are not women made pontiffs in Hinduism or in any other religion for that matter?
2
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1
answer
374
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Are Brahmavadini women allowed to marry and have sex?
Brahmavadini women are women who learn the Vedas, recite mantras, and do Yajnas, as stated here.
My question is, can they marry and have sex with their husbands?
According to the translator's note ...
2
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1
answer
1k
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Manu Smriti contradicts Bhagavad Gita on qualities of women?
The Bhagavad Gita says in 10.34:
I am Death among plunderers. I am the origin of all that shall be
born. In women I am fame, prosperity, eloquence, memory, intelligence,
endurance and ...
2
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1
answer
246
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What are the differences between goddess and female human beings?
Other than goddess being God and women being human are there any other considerable differences between goddess and women? If yes, can you list them. Also could you please explain why such differences ...
2
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1
answer
225
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What happens to a woman devotee who views Krishna as her husband/lover?
It is not uncommon for a female devotee to see Krishna as her lover/husband. (Mira bai was one example).
Theoretically, what happens to them if their devotion is true? Do they get merged with Radha/...
2
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1
answer
208
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Is it true that women have not been given freedom in Kaliyuga?
I found this
Brahmapurāṇa (Aparārka, p. 97).—‘On the death of her husband, or on her having abandoned her husband, a woman may beget a son from a man of her caste. If she is a child-widow or has been ...
2
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3
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Why does this verse of Satapatha Brahmana call women and Shudras as untruth?
This verse of the Satapatha Brahmana calls Shudras and women as untruth .
The part from where it is taken deals with the pravargya ceremony.
14.1.1.31
aśūdrociṣṭī eṣa vai dharmo ya eṣa tapati saiṣā ...
2
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3
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2k
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Does Shiva Puran support Wife beating?
This is the verse as give in Shiva Puran. Is it true because vedas are against Wife beating
The brahmin lady said:
...
A chaste lady shall never mention her husband’s name. If the husband scolds or ...
2
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1
answer
270
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Do any scriptures or commentaries support the idea that females should be able to pursue their education and career over marriage?
Could you suggest me some scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads, etc.) or commentaries that support the idea that females should be allowed to pursue their education and career over marriage? For example, ...
2
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1
answer
663
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Mantra to attract a specific woman
Basically I need a love mantra directed at a single person. Does one exist? I tried looking for one but could never confirm if it was actually a love mantra.