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The progress and advancement of any society is measured by it’s respect for women and it’s commitment to ensuring women’s involvement in decision making process along with their safety and security. Both women and men can reach the highest levels of spiritual wisdom, contributing to the rich tapestry of thought and practice. Women possess incredible resilience, wisdom and leadership, making them the perfect custodians of the family heritage. Daughter understands the importance of family history, culture and the principles that have guided the family.
“The wife is one half of a man; she is his supreme friend. She is the source of dharma, artha and kama. For a man who wishes to navigate the ocean of life, the wife is his chief navigator”
“As per the Vedas, the wife is regarded as one’s better half, safeguarding wealth, children, the body, the journey of life, dharma, heaven, rishis and ancestors.”
“Only couples are eligible to perform the sacred rituals to the sun. Married men are considered true householders and deemed happy. For those blessed with a wife, it is as if they have Lakshmi as a wife, who is considered the embodiment of prosperity at home.”
“Even rishis don’t have the power to create children without a wife.”
“The earth is the mother of all beings, women are mothers to all children.”
Swayamvara translates to “self-selection”, portraying a Hindu custom where a woman holds the autonomy to select her life partner from eligible suitors. The tradition of Swayamvara encapsulates themes of autonomy, agency and the celebration of individual choice. Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, prosperity and abundance, embodies the divine essence perpetually residing within every girl. This worldview celebrates the divine feminine, and underscores the importance of treating girls and women with respect, honour and dignity.
“The girl represents the quintessential form of Lakshmi, from whom living beings attain happiness and contentment.”
“If a man becomes a sanyasi without ensuring the financial well-being of his wife and children, the state should punish him.”
“Sita is well versed in administration, governance and politiecs.” “Bali’s wife Tara is an enlightened woman.” Draupadi managed the accounting, income, expenditure and savings of the Pandavas’ empire
“Physicians assert that there is no better cure for soothing all sorrows than having a supportive wife.”
“There is no teacher equal to a mother.”
“A woman’s hand in marriage should be given to a man deemed worthy, encompassing moral character, physical personality, financial stability, social standing and compatibility to the woman in question.”
“Women, like lionesses, possess the strength and capability to defeat any enemy.”
“The wife has the right to divorce if her husband is considered unworthy due to factors such as his low character, residence in a foreign country, disloyalty to the nation, involvement in criminal activities, departure from moral principles, lack of integrity, impotence or unmanliness.”
Kautilya emphasized dealth penalty for rapists.
Source: Chapter 5 – “Highest Respect for Women” of The Hindu Manifesto by Swami Vigyananand.