C: Namasté Swamiji, I live in the very modern Holland and still Hindu women are sometimes treated very bad. That’s why I have a few questions about women and their rights.
Many (Hindu)women in India and outside wear an odhni (aanchal) on their head, especialy when the visit the mandir. Since when has this tradition been in place? Is it just a tradition or is it also mentioned in Veda? Some people say, it’s a Muslim tradition.My second question: When women have their monthly problem, are they allowed to perform havan and prepare presad? Is it stated in Ved that women should not perform havan at those times? Namasté Swamiji.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter. No doubt, the situation of women is critical all over the world. Intellectuals and politician may tell about the situation at their own but as per eternal knowledge of the Vedas, which emanate directly from God, it is due to the lack of spiritual knowledge. Worldly knowledge i.e., science, education etc., have reached the peak of progress. Where, on one hand, spiritual knowledge, mentioned in Vedas, has declined more and more, on the other hand pious knowledge given in present sects is listened but not followed, generally i.e., not adopted mostly in the daily life, hence the problem arises. To wear odhni is eternal tradition mentioned in Yajurveda. However, the idol worship in temples started about two-thousand years ago only. I mean to say, to put odhni(dupatta) on head is an eternal tradition i.e., from the beginning of every creation. Further, I would like to state that not only on head but Yajurveda states, that Young girls, women should cover their body parts (most of) with clothes, so, it is not only Muslim custom. However, Vedas do not tell to cover the face with veil.
As regards your second question, my article is given below:-
God has given knowledge of four Vedas to the souls which reside in human body. God has not given the knowledge to bodies. Soul realizes God and attains salvation and not bodies. Soul is unchangeable and immortal whereas bodies are changeable and are destroyed. So souls either in the body of man or woman is entitled to chant all the mantras, to listen preach and to worship God. According to Yajurveda mantra 31/11 there is no any caste system except humanity based on good or bad qualities.
Almighty God is the purest matter in the universe. You see God is omnipresent therefore also is present in our stomach, stool, urine, blood, etc., but no any matter is able to touch Him. He (God) thus always remains the purest. So woman can continue her daily hawan also.
However, women should not attend Kitchen chores for 3-4 days.
S D: Kya mai ek mahine me 5000Rs kama sakti hun?
Swami Ram Swarup: Earning money depends on one’s own firm decision and hard working, please. When women nowadays are earning, 1000’s and lakhs of Rupees per month then why not 5,000/-.
Lalit: Please send me both parts of Shrimad Bhagwadgeeta – Ek Vedic Rahasya.
Swami Ram Swarup: Books are being sent to you, please.
