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Devadasi - Servant of God

- Dr.Jyotsna Kamat

 

First Online: December 01,2005

Last Updated: December 22,2007

 

Dr. Kamat takes a look at the historical context of

the institution of Devadasis. In the course of history

the so called " temple women " were both honored and

exploited in the name of God.

 

The author points out that at one time, they were

regarded as honorable professionals, and are

responsible for development of many of India's

performing fine-arts. - Ed.

 

Dedicating dancing girls to temples in the service of

God was not peculiar to India. Many ancient

civilizations, like those of Babylonia, Cyprus,

Phoenicia, Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria

employed young girls to propitiate their deities in

their respective temples.

 

In the temple of Corinth, we are told, hundreds of

prostitutes lived in the precincts of the temple and

the main income of the shrine was from the income of

these courtesans.

 

Contemporary norms found no stigma if rich clientele

associated themselves with such women, who in their

spare time entertained the rich and wealthy. India was

no exception.

 

Although ancient texts like Vedas, Upanishads do not

mention Devadasis (servants of God), institutionalized

worship of idols in temples during early centuries of

Christian era led to the practice of dedicating women

to temples as laid down in the puranas.

 

Thus some puranas (Agni Purana and Bhavishya Purana)

specifically state that the best way for a man to

obtain Suryaloka (heaven of sun god) was to dedicate a

group of dancing girls to the temple of sun.

 

For many kings and rich merchants it was the most

affordable way to earn merit! (Punya)

 

Over a period of time all the " pampered family

deities " of kings and nobles started getting pretty

and talented servants for different rituals performed

for the deity (befitting a great king or deity) like

bathing, dressing, offering flowers, music and dance.

 

Their main job was to dance and sing as also playing

musical instruments, while the priests of the temple

offered sixteen kinds of services. But smaller temples

employed them for cleaning the temple premises, fetch

water, make garlands of flowers, etc.

 

By the time Hiuen Tsang came to India (7th century)

Devadasi system was firmly established. He had noticed

a large number of them in the sun temple of Multan

(now in Pakistan).

 

In Somnath temple (which was destroyed and looted by

Muhmmad Gazni) there were five hundred dancing girls

and in the great Tanjore temple built by Rajaraja

Chola (10th century) there were four hundred.

 

Temple Woman Depicted in a Hoysala Sculpture

Just like the kings employing women for various chores

in the palace, women were employed in temples for

different seva or services like fanning, holding

chamar during procession, preparing ointments for the

idol. They also participated in state-plays enacted

before the deity during festivals.

 

Some of the Devadasis were highly accomplished and

earned lot of wealth. Many courtesans were of

charitable nature. The biggest tank in the state of

Karnataka for instance, was constructed by Shantavve,

a Devadasi, in the 11th century (water tank that

spread ten miles and fed 7000 acres agricultural land

in Chennagiri taluka of Shimoga district.) It is

called Sulekere (Prostitute's Lake) by the locals and

subsequently renamed as Shantigagar. Even today (year

2005) it is as serviceable.

 

There were seven types of Devadasis as per Hindu

tradition.

 

Datta -- self-dedicated, or given to deity

Vikrita -- Purchased or self-sold to God,

Bhritya -- servant for supporting family

Bhakta devotee -- Devadasi

Abducted and deserted at the temple

Alankara--donated by kings or nobles to their family

deity

Rudra Ganika or Gopika--appointed by the temple for

specific services

 

The last two find mention in inscriptions as well and

hence it is seen that their job was primarily service

of the deity. Since they were wedded to the deity,

they could not marry a mortal.

 

However they had to cater to demands of the employer

or the priest and as is a common curse of India, a

separate caste came into existence. The sons of temple

women continued as temple staff or musicians and

daughters became dancers and musicians.

 

For centuries Devadasis continued to be custodians of

fine arts. They studied classics (Sanskrit and

regional languages.) Set to music lyrics and played

and taught various musical instruments and kept the

tradition of Bharatanatya or Indian classical dance

alive. No stigma was attached for their profession.

 

Their presence at marriage and other festive occasion

was required. some got the tali (auspicious thread of

a bride) tied by a Devadasi during wedding.

 

But the arrival of British followed by missionaries

dealt a cultural death blow to the institution of

Devadasis.

 

The Europeans could not distinguish between Devadasis,

prostitutes, and street nauch girls. It was considered

vulgar and lowly to attend concerts of Devadasis or

attend dance performances.

 

English educated Indians were suddenly aware of their

status and the laws were passed to ban the practice.

 

By then the impoverished dancing women had to take

recourse to prostitution for mere survival. The

abolition of Devadasi system in 1920s did help to stop

exploitation of poorer women in the name of religion.

 

But superstitions regarding dedicating female child

still continue in parts of India, such as the devotion

to Yellamma.

http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/women/devadasi.htm

 

 

 

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