Women and Hinduism

Running head : WOMEN IN HINDUISM

The Changing Roles of Women in Hinduism

Author 's Name

University /Affiliation The Changing Roles of Women in Hinduism

Certain aspects of Hinduism have taken on many transformations with the onset of modern and contemporary lifestyles and mindsets . Women and their roles , for one thing , have been afforded a sociological evolution granting them equality and protection from injustices wrought by a predominantly patriarchal society . Women have become more liberated and independent in their actions and thinking , rising from the limitations of the religion 's scriptural

disdain and inherent social stratification

Fisher (2007 ) notes that there are many instances in the Vedas - sacred texts of the Hindus , that were created by the Brahmins , which held the highest position in the caste that is an integral part of the religion - that indicated that women were in a lower social class than that of men For example , in the Laws of Manu , women are characterized to be fully dependent on the men in her life . According to Scovill (Hinduism section , para . 5 , first , the woman is daughter answering to her father then , she is obedient wife to her husband and , in her later years , she is under the authority of her son , or sons . The sacred texts likewise detail how society places a greater importance on sons than daughters as the abortion of female fetuses used to be very widespread , in lieu of the preference for male children (Fisher , 2007

Contradictions arise , though , because however important the sacred texts were to the religion , Hindus very rarely followed them strictly , using them mostly for ritual chants during ceremonies . Also , Hindu women generally had a prominent role in the early years of the religion Scovell notes , Vedic literature indicates that women were not merely a silent partner in the rituals , but played a crucial role in them (Hinduism section , para . 2 , especially in the years of Aryan invasion and the establishment of Vedic literature and tradition , when religious rituals were held in the home , and required the presence of both the husband and wife

Even in the contemporary setting , women continue to play an integral role in Hindu customs . Narayanan (2003 ,

.16 ) relates , Hindus narrate stories about [the gods and goddesses] , sing about them , and dance their stories in many performances ' The Navaratri festival is celebrated in honor of the goddess Durga , who is thought to be the manifestation of the Supreme Being . This festival is both a home and a significant women 's celebration . In many Indian states , women create makeshift altars with effigies of deities , beautifully-crafted dolls in stylized settings (Narayanan 2003 . Women go from house to house in the evenings to visit and admire the doll displays (Narayanan 2003 , and in the process , strengthening the ties of the community by this interaction between the keepers of the homes . Trained singers and dancers perform during festivals like this , and productions have long ago evolved into major community events (Narayanan 2003

Music has always been part of the...