There are two opinions regarding the status of women in ancinet India. Some scholars say that ancient Indian women were almost "the equals to men" while some argue that women were held not only in disrespect but even in positive hatred. These scholars have selected some passages from our classical literature to prove their points. For instance :
a)Statements that reveal the higher status of early Indian Women : Apastamba had prescribed : "All must make a way for a women when she s treading a path", Manu had said : "When women are honoured, the gods are pleased but where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields any reward", Yajnavalkya had said : "Women are the embodiment of all divine virtues on earth".
b). Statements that reveal the degraded status of early Indian Women : Manu who had praised women in some context has said in some other context that women are not fit for enjoying freedom. In Mahabharata, Bhishma has said in some context : " Husband should regard his wife as an acquisition", In Ramayana, Lord Rama had said in some context : "I can give away all my royal inheritance and even my wife and all that I value to Bharat of my own free accord."
c). These Statements do not mirror the actual position of women : The statements and opinions quoted above are only " contextual" and it is not proper to generalize on that basis the real status of women. The real status of women could be judged by analyzing the social, economic, political and religious rights they enjoyed over the years.
The status of women in ancient India can be better studied in the following stages :
1.The Vedic and Post-Vedic Period
2.Women in the Period of Dharamashastras and Epics
3.Women in the Puranic Period
4.Women in the Buddhist Period
a)Statements that reveal the higher status of early Indian Women : Apastamba had prescribed : "All must make a way for a women when she s treading a path", Manu had said : "When women are honoured, the gods are pleased but where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields any reward", Yajnavalkya had said : "Women are the embodiment of all divine virtues on earth".
b). Statements that reveal the degraded status of early Indian Women : Manu who had praised women in some context has said in some other context that women are not fit for enjoying freedom. In Mahabharata, Bhishma has said in some context : " Husband should regard his wife as an acquisition", In Ramayana, Lord Rama had said in some context : "I can give away all my royal inheritance and even my wife and all that I value to Bharat of my own free accord."
c). These Statements do not mirror the actual position of women : The statements and opinions quoted above are only " contextual" and it is not proper to generalize on that basis the real status of women. The real status of women could be judged by analyzing the social, economic, political and religious rights they enjoyed over the years.
The status of women in ancient India can be better studied in the following stages :
1.The Vedic and Post-Vedic Period
2.Women in the Period of Dharamashastras and Epics
3.Women in the Puranic Period
4.Women in the Buddhist Period