Are even women and Shudraas (low-caste) allowed to study the Vedas?

Q- What shall we do if they take to reading? Besides, there is no authority for their doing so. On the other hand, is condemned by the Vedas thus – Shruti “Never should women and the Shoodraas study.”

A. ~ All men and women ( i.e., the whole of mankind) have a right to study. You may go and hang yourselves. As for the text you have quoted, it is of you own fabrication, and is no where to be found either in the Vedas or any other authoritative book. On the other hand, here is a verse from the Yajur Veda that authorizes all men to study the Veda and hear it read:- God says:- “As I have given this Word (i.e., the four Vedas) which is the word of salvation* for all making [Here some one might say that by the word Jana, which we have translated into all mankind, only Dwijas are meant, as in the Smritis** ( so-called) they alone are allowed to study the Veda but not women and Shoodraas, the other half of this verse answers this objection by adding] – Braahmans, Kshatryas, Vaishyaas, Shoodraas, women, servants, aye, even the lowest of the low, so should you all do, i.e., teach and preach the Veda and thereby acquire true knowledge, practise virtue, shun vice, and consequently being freed from all sorrow and pain, enjoy true happiness.” YAJUR VEDA 26:2.

Now sir, shall we believe your word or God’s ? God’s, certainly. He who will still refuse to believe, (that women and Shoodraas are entitled to Veda learning) shall be called a Nastika (an infidel) because Manu has said, “He is an infidel who is a reviler and disbeliever of the Veda.” Does not God desire the welfare of the Shoodraas? Is God prejudiced that he should allow the study of the Veda to Dwijas and disallow it to Shoodraas?

Had God meant that the Shoodraas should not study the Veda or hear it read, why should He have created the organs of speech and hearing in their bodies? As He has created the sun, the moon, the earth, the water, the fire, the air, various food and drinks, etc., for all, so has He revealed the Veda for all. Wherever it is declared (in the books of Rishis) that the Shoodraas are debarred from the study of the Veda, the prohibition simply amounts to this that he, that does not learn anything even after a good deal of teaching, being ignorant and destitute of understanding, is called a Shoodraa. It is useless for him to learn, and for others to teach him any longer. As for you debarring women from education, that only shows your ignorance, selfishness and stupidity. Here is an authority from the Veda entitling girls to study:- “Just as boys acquire sound knowledge and culture by the practice of Brahmacharya and then marry girls of their own choice, who are young , well educated, loving and of like temperament, should girl practice Brahmacharya study the Veda and other sciences and thereby perfect her knowledge, refine her character, give her hand to a man of her own choice, who is young, learned and loving.” ATHARVA VEDA 11, 14:3, 18.

 

Q-Should even women read the Veda?

 

A. ~ Certainly. Here is an authority from the Shraut Sutra: “(In the Yajna) let the wife recite this mantra.”

Were she not a scholar of the Veda as well as of other Shaastraas, how could she in the Yajna receive the Vedic Mantraas with proper pronunciation and accent, as well as speak Sanskrit?

In ancient India, Gaargi and other ladies, – jewels among women – were highly educated and perfect scholars of the Veda. This is clearly written in the Shatpatha Brahmana. Now if the husband be well-educated and the wife ignorant or vice versa, there will be a constant state of warfare in the house. Besides of women were not to study, where will the teachers, or Girls’ schools come from? Nor could ever the affairs of the state, the administration of justice, and the duties of married life, that are required of both husband and wife [such as keeping each other happy, the wife having the supreme control over all household matters] be carried on properly without thorough education ( of men and women).

The Kshatriyaas women in ancient India, used to be well-acquainted even with the military science, or how could they have gone with their male relations and fought side by side with them in battle-fields, as Kekai did with her royal husband Dasharatha. Therefore it behoves Braahman and Kshatriyaa women to acquire all kinds of knowledge, and Vaishya women to learn trace, and the mechanical arts and the like, and Shoodraa women, the art of cooking, etc.

As men should, at the very least, learn the science of Grammar, Dharma and their profession or trade, likewise should women learn Grammar, Dharma*, Medical Science, Mathematics and the mechanical arts at the least, for without a knowledge of these, ascertainment of truth, proper behaviour towards their husbands and other people, bearing of good children, their proper up-bringing and instruction, proper management of the household affairs, preparation of foods and drinks in accordance with the requirements of Medical Science, ( so that they may act on the system like good medicine and keep the whole family free from disease and thereby make them happy), can never be effected.

Without a knowledge of mathematics, they can never keep accounts of their household properly; and without a knowledge of true religion, as taught by the Veda and other Shaastraas, they cannot know what God and Dharma are, and can never, therefore, escape going astray from the path of rectitude.

Verily, those parents have done their duty and, therefore, a thousand thanks to them, who have their best to make their children practise Brahmacharya, acquire knowledge, and perfect their character, which al help to develop both their bodies and minds to the fullest extent, so that they may accord a just and righteous treatment to all – parents, husbands, wives, fathers -in-laws, mothers-in-laws, their king and fellow subjects, neighbours, friends and offspring, etc.

Knowledge alone is the inexhaustible treasure; the more you spend it, the more it grows. All other treasures run out by spending, and the claimants inherit their shares as well. Thieves cannot steal this treasure, nor, can anyone inherit it.

It is the chief duty of the rulers, as well as of the ruled, to protect and augment this treasure.

Manu says:- “The State should make it compulsory for all to send their children of both sexes to school at the said* period and keep them there for the said** period till they are thoroughly well-educated. It should be made a penal offence to break this law. In other words, let no child – whether a girl or a boy – be allowed to stay in the house*** after the 8th year; let him remain in the seminary till his Samaavartana time, [i.e. the period of Return home****] and let no one be allowed to marry before that.” MANU 7:152.

Again says Manu:- “Of all gifts (that one can bestow on another) – water, food, animals ( as cows, and buffaloes), sesamum seeds, land, clothes, gold, and butter, etc. – that of the knowledge of the Veda is the best and the noblest.” MANU 4:233

Let all, therefore, try their utmost to disseminate knowledge with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all the material resources at their command.

That country alone prospers where Brahmacharya is properly practised, knowledge is keenly sought after, and the teachings of the Vedic religion followed.