Gargi Vacaknavi é uma mulher da tradição védica. Nesta tradição ancestral as mulheres gozavam de um respeito e igualdade desconhecidos em várias outras partes do mundo antigo.
Os textos Hindus Védicos antigos mencionam várias mulheres. Gargi, uma profetisa e filósofa está entre elas. Ela era a filha de um sábio, Vachaknu. Ela compôs diversos hinos que questionavam a origem de todas as coisas.
Dr.Nanditha Krishna em um artigo para o Sunday Express afirma que "era uma convidada da primeira conferência de filosofia do mundo, feita pelo Rei Janaka de Videha, e desafiou Yajnavalkya para um debate público. Seu reconhecimento de derrota e elogio a Yajnavalkya levou o rei a dar a ele 1.000 vacas e 10.000 peças de ouro, as quais Yajnavalkya rejeitou, retirando-se para a floresta, junto com sua esposa Maitreyi, uma mulher igualmente educada e espirituosa".
Outra fonte diz que este sábio, Yajnavalkya, era conhecido por ter respondido perguntas de vários eruditos e é dito que suas respostas silenciaram vários conhecidos eruditos. É dito que Gargi questionou Yajnavalkya sobre a alma ou 'atman' e que ele ficou confuso com seus desafios.
Gargi é comumente citada em discussões sobre o lugar da mulher na tradição hindu e indiana. Vários sacerdotes eruditos disseram que as mulheres eram eruditas habilidosas na antiga tradição e que foi a tradição de estrangeiros e conquistadores que reduziram a posição das mulheres.
http://rahulwrites.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/10/18/Women-in-India-1.html
Showing posts with label Gargi Vacaknavi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gargi Vacaknavi. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Gargi Vacknavi (circa 800 - 500 BCE)
Gargi Vacaknavi is a woman in the Vedic tradition. In this ancient tradition women enjoyed a respect and equality unknown in many other parts of the ancient world.
The ancient Hindu Vedic texts mention a number of women. Gargi, a prophetess and philosopher is among them. She was the daughter of the wise man, Vachaknu. She composed several hymns that question the origin of all things.
Dr.Nanditha Krishna in an article for the Sunday Express states that "was an invitee to the world's first conference on philosophy, convened by King Janaka of Videha, and challenged Yajnavalkya to a public debate. Her acknowledgement of defeat and praise of Yajnavalkya induced the king to gift him 1,000 cows and 10,000 gold pieces, which Yajnavalkya rejected and retired to the forest, followed by his wife Maitreyi, an equally educated and spirited woman".
Another source says that this sage, Yajnavalkya, was known to have answered inquiries from scholars and it is reputed that his answers silenced many well known scholars. It is reported that Gargi questioned Yajnavalkya about the soul or 'atman' and he is said to have been confounded by her challenges.
Gargi is often cited and/or referred to in discussions about the place of women in Hindu and Indian tradition. More than one scholar priest has said that women were considered apt scholars in the ancient tradition and that it was the tradition of foreigners and conquerors who reduced the position of women.
http://rahulwrites.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/10/18/Women-in-India-1.html
The ancient Hindu Vedic texts mention a number of women. Gargi, a prophetess and philosopher is among them. She was the daughter of the wise man, Vachaknu. She composed several hymns that question the origin of all things.
Dr.Nanditha Krishna in an article for the Sunday Express states that "was an invitee to the world's first conference on philosophy, convened by King Janaka of Videha, and challenged Yajnavalkya to a public debate. Her acknowledgement of defeat and praise of Yajnavalkya induced the king to gift him 1,000 cows and 10,000 gold pieces, which Yajnavalkya rejected and retired to the forest, followed by his wife Maitreyi, an equally educated and spirited woman".
Another source says that this sage, Yajnavalkya, was known to have answered inquiries from scholars and it is reputed that his answers silenced many well known scholars. It is reported that Gargi questioned Yajnavalkya about the soul or 'atman' and he is said to have been confounded by her challenges.
Gargi is often cited and/or referred to in discussions about the place of women in Hindu and Indian tradition. More than one scholar priest has said that women were considered apt scholars in the ancient tradition and that it was the tradition of foreigners and conquerors who reduced the position of women.
http://rahulwrites.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/10/18/Women-in-India-1.html
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