Hinduism:only religion with gender equality

[Guest guest]

Hinduism: The only religion of gender equality

By Chinmay Bajekal

 

Hinduism is the only religion in the world where God is worshipped in

feminine form as well. Hinduism respects womanhood and warns men

against indulging in crime against women. It is a popular Hindu

belief that two great famous wars in Hindu history, the Ramayana and

Mahabharata were the result of a dishonourable acts committed against

women. Motherhood, an important aspect of womanhood, is glorified in

Hinduism by the words mathru devo bhavah—revere your mother as God.

The much maligned Manusmriti also glorifies women and womanhood.

 

"Where women are honoured, there the gods are pleased; but where they

are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards," declares Manusmriti

(III.56).

 

Science

The Hindu has never witnessed a clash in history between science and

his religion. The sages who developed Hinduism also wrote on several

fields of science. Hinduism is unique as its saints have also studied

science and written books on it. Some of the most popular works on

science in Hinduism are:

 

Ayurveda (science of medicine)

Stapathya Veda (science of architecture)

Dhanur Veda (science of warfare)

Artha Veda (science of sociology and economics)

 

A Hindu receives many unique privileges that followers of other

religions cannot boast of. He is the inheritor of a rich heritage

that has been preserved throughout the ages by great effort and has

survived several attacks. At a time when the world is engulfed with

fanaticism leading to sectarian violence, disrespect of nature

leading to environmental degradation and violation of women's rights,

it is understanding of Hindu philosophy that can bring about a

positive change. It only goes to show how relevant Hinduism is even

today as much as it was millennia ago.

 

In the words of British historian, Arnold Toynbee:

 

"It is already becoming clearer that a Western beginning will have to

have an Indian ending if it is not to end in self-destruction of the

human race. At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only

way of salvation for mankind is the ancient Hindu way."