|
On the one hand, Gayatri worship is believed to give supreme benefits and is said to be the greatest of all Mantras. And yet on the other hand it is our misfortune that there are innumerable deluded opinions as far as the right to chant the Gayatri Mantra is concerned. Some believe that only Brahmins have the right to chant Gayatri Mantra. Some believe Dvij Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas have the right to chant the Gayatri Mantra. In reality this prohibition is symbolic. Gayatri Mantra is most beneficial for people with the psyche of a Brahmin or those who have taken the resolve to become Dvijas (twice born). A true Brahmin is he/she who by reducing his material needs to the minimum utilizes all his/her energy for world welfare. Dvija means one who takes a second birth. Meaning after taking birth as a human being, he/she takes a vow of activating good will for the entire world in his/her psyche and this is a divine act. Thus to the extent an individual executes such divine actions, to that extent Gayatri worship will manifest more and more miracles in the truest sense of the term.
One finds innumerable proof of all this in holy scriptures. Satyakam Jabal despite being born in an unknown lineage was considered capable enough to imbibe Spiritual Science. Aitereya the son of Itara became the Seer of Aitereya Upanishad. Maharshi Vedvyas, the son of a fisherwoman, attained the highest slot in the Rishi tradition. The Kshatriya King Vishwamitra attained the Brahmarshi status only after pursuing Gayatri worship. Hence by giving up deluded concepts, one should imbibe Gayatri worship and encourage/allow everyone else to follow suit.
There are other wrong beliefs too as far as a woman having the right to chant the Gayatri Mantra is concerned. Many opine that women do not have the right to study the Vedas and hence she has no right to chant the Gayatri Mantra that has emanated from the Vedas. This is a very deluded belief. Amongst those Rishis who are said to be responsible for the manifestation of Vedic Mantras, many have been female Rishis. Over here we give a few proofs to prove our point.
In the 24th chapter of Brahma Devta of Rig Ved there is a mention of female Rishis as follows –
Ghosha, Godha, Vishwaraa, Apala, Upanishad, Juhoo, Aditi, Indrani, Sarna, Romasha, Urvashi, Lopa, Mudra, Yami, Shashwati, Surya, Savitri etc. were Brahma – vadinis (female knowers of Brahman or God). These female Rishis were Seers (Dhrishtas) of the (10-134), (10-39), (10-40), (8-91), (10-95), (10-107), (10-109), (10-154), (10-159), (10-189), (5-28), (8-91) etc. Suktas (hymns) of Rig Ved.
We find many such evidences from which it is clear that females too performed and helped others perform Yajnas like their male counterparts. They were Masters of the Science of Yajna and Brahman (spiritual). With reference to this many women directed either their husbands or fathers in these Spiritual Sciences.
While describing Manu’s daughter Ida, the Taitereya Upanishad (2/1/4) has labeled her as “Yajnankashini”. It means “One who has the power to illumine the Yajna principle” according to Sayanacharya.
Ida, while advising her father Manu regarding Yajna, says – I will bless your Yajna fire in such a way that you will attain animals, material comforts and heaven.
In the ancient times, females ran their households too and were immersed in meditation on God too. Both kinds of women worked well in their respective areas. Those who ran their households were called “Sadyovadhu” and those women who were immersed in Vedic studies, meditation on God and other spiritual practices were called “Brahmavadini”. No doubt the work area of Brahmavadini and Sadyovadhu were different but there was no disparity as far as their basic spiritual rights was concerned (Hareet Dharmasutra 21/20/24)
Both Brahmavadinis and Sadyovadhus were women. Amongst them, the Brahmavadinis were adorned with the sacred thread or Yajnopaveet, they were initiated into Agnihotra (fire sacrifices) and studied the Vedas and begged for alms/food. Sadyovadhus too were ordained with the Yajnopaveet (sacred thread). This sacred thread ceremony for women was conducted during their marriage ceremony.
In the “Mahabharat Nirnaya” Shri Acharya Aanandteerth (Madhavacharya), while describing the scholarly nature of Pandavas’ wife Draupadi, writes –
Great women should study the Vedas like Krishnaa (Draupadi).
Maharshi Dayanand while commenting on Rig Ved (1/1/5) writes that women while maintaining sexual continence study the Vedas upto the age of 24 years and this glorifies human civilization.
There is evidence of women becoming Brahma and Upadhyay (classes of priests) during Yajnas. In the Rig Ved, women are ordained to attain the Brahma status via their pious character.
In the Rig Ved (8/33/19) it is said – O Woman! You must walk while looking down. Do not waste the energy of your eyes by looking here and there, other people etc. You must remain cautious and cultured regarding your feet. You must wear clothes in such a way that you maintain dignity of your body. If you act thus, definitely you will be capable enough to attain the post of Brahma.
Now we should analyze how exalted is the post of Brahma and which credentials help man attain this post.
In the Shatpath (1/7/4/19) it is said – Because Brahma has the power to ward off all errors of Ritvijas he is the best amongst all priests.
In the Gaupath Uttarardha (1/3) it is said – Only that person should be made Brahma who is the knower of God and Vedas.
So it is clear that both men and women have equal rights over Vedic studies, conducting Yajnas and chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
|