Yogic Lifestyle for Women in the

Amma, Mother, Mum, Mom modern world

‘God in human form’ Author
Dr. Yoga Ratna (Gargi)T. Urmila
• Yogarathna Yogini Gargi, Dr T Urmila BE (CSE), PGDIB, MBA
(USA), MSc (Yoga), PhD (Yoga)
• Certified in YCB Level 3 YCB, Ministry of Ayush, GOI
• Lead Examiner for YCB, Ministry of Ayush, GOI.
• Vice President for Indian Yoga Therapist Association, Tamil
Nadu Chapter
• TamilNadu Yogasana Sports Association (TNYSA) Jury
• International Experienced Yoga Teacher WS1130-16RYT500
• Indian Yoga Association IYA/2019/YP235
• E-RYT, EKYT – World Yoga Alliance, Authorized International
Yoga Jury

Co-Author
Dr. K V Krishnan
• BE(Hons) in Electrical engineering
• M.A. Astrology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Vedic Astrology
• Aged 74 & Lives in Chennai with family
• Ahobilam Mutt lineage.

tvē viśvā sarasvati śritāyūṁṣi dēvyāṁ |

śunahōtrēṣu matsva prajāṁ dēvi didiḍḍhi naḥ ||

“A scholarly woman, the entire life of society depends upon you. You provide us the right knowledge of
education and science, and create for us a new generation of healthy, educated, and refined children. May
you bring knowledge to all segments of society.” — Rigveda 2.41.17
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................ 2
EDUCATION, WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE ....................................................................................................................................... 2
THE GIFT OF MOTHERS ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN ................................................................................................................. 4
INDIAN THOUGHT ON WOMEN........................................................................................................................................................... 4
AMERICAN THOUGHT ON WOMEN .................................................................................................................................................... 4
UNICEF’S THOUGHT ON WOMEN ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
3. DISCUSSIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
POSITION FOR WOMEN IN VEDIC SCRIPTURES ............................................................................................................................... 5
ADORER OF THE FEMININE PRINCIPLE: BHARATI ........................................................................................................................... 5
4. WHAT IS MODERN LIFE FOR A WOMAN? ............................................................................................................ 6
5.GOAL OF YOGA IN “SRIMAD-BHAGAVAD GITA”..................................................................................................... 6
6.HOW YOGA HELPS WOMEN? ..................................................................................................................................... 6
SPECIFIC BENEFITS DOES IT BRING TO WOMEN .............................................................................................................................. 6
7.WOMEN – QUALITY OF BEING REGULAR................................................................................................................. 7
8.CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................................................................ 8

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 1. INTRODUCTION
Who says sanatana dharma did not give enough weightage to women and what can yoga do to a modern women? Look at what
VedA and what Manusmruti says about women and their place in the society.

Education, Wisdom and Knowledge

On the state of womanhood, the Vedas, (a collection of ancient Sanskrit
hymns and chants through which the vid, or wisdom, of the ancient sages
can be heard,) declare that women are the embodiment of great intellect
and virtue.

Rigveda 6.61.2
iyaṃ śuṣmebhir-bisakhā ivārujat sānu girīṇāṃ taviṣebhirūrmibhiḥ|
pārāvataghrīmavase suvṛktibhiḥ sarasvatīmā vivāsema dhītibhiḥ||

“O scholarly woman, the way a river breaks away mightiest of hills and
rocks, the scholarly woman destroys myths and hypes through her intellect
alone. May we bow to women through our polite words and noble actions.”

Rigveda 2.41.17
tvē viśvā sarasvati śritāyūṁṣi dēvyāṁ |
śunahōtrēṣu matsva prajāṁ dēvi didiḍḍhi naḥ ||

“A scholarly woman, the entire life of society depends upon you. You provide us the right knowledge of education and science, and
create for us a new generation of healthy, educated, and refined children. May you bring knowledge to all segments of society.”

The Atharva Veda, particularly advocates for female empowerment, claiming that women are an integral aspect of society.

In regards to knowledge and wisdom, it states as follow:

Atharva Veda 14.1.64

brahmāparaṃ yujyatāṃ brahma pūrvaṃ brahmāntato madhyato brahma sarvataḥ|
anāvyādhāṃ devapurāṃ prapadya śivā syonā patiloke vi rāja||

“O woman! Shine as a queen in the house of the husband and utilize your Vedic intellect in all directions of our home!”

The Vedas also place a heavy emphasis on the education of female children. Believing everyone to be equal Vedic literature not only
encourages women and girls to be scholarly, but expresses that it is the duty of each parent to ensure that their daughter is brought
up and educated with great effort and care. After all, as the Devi Mahatmya (a religious text expounding upon the glories of the
Goddess) states, “All forms of knowledge are aspects of The Goddess, and all women throughout the world are your forms.”

If they so desire, the Vedas also permit women to undergo Upanayana, a ceremony that initiates Vedic studies. As a matter of fact,
the Vedas mention several female scholars and sages, such as Vac, also known as Ambhrini, Ambani, Romasa and Gargi who had
their own Upanayana ceremonies and went on to become experts in Vedic studies. Called Brahmavadini, these figures demonstrate
that during the Vedic period, women were not only allowed to pursue higher studies like their male counterparts, but they also received
equal attention from their gurus and teachers.

Rig 10.85.7

cittirā upabarhaṇaṁ cakṣurā abhyañjanam |

dyaurbhūmiḥ kōśa āsīdyadayātsūryī patim||

“Parents should gift their daughter intellectuality and power of knowledge when she leaves for
the husband’s home. They should give her a dowry of knowledge.”

Moreover, the Vedas regard marriage as a union of two equals. No one individual is given more importance over the other. As with
Rādha-Krishnā and Sitā-Rāma, which symbolize the teamwork aspect of marriage, the Vedas believe that both husband and wife
constitute the graha, or home. In fact, after marriage, the wife is ardhāngini, meaning other half, or sahadhārmini, meaning her
husband’s partner or friend in dharma. The wife also becomes the samrajni, or queen of the household and has an equal share
in the performance of religious rites

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Atharva 14.1.61
sukiṁśukaṁ vahatuṁ viśvarūpaṁ hiraṇyavarṇaṁ suvr̥taṁ sucakram |
ā rōha sūryē amr̥tasya lōkaṁ syōnaṁ patibhyō vahatuṁ kr̥ṇu tvam||

“O bride! You shall bring bliss to all and direct our homes towards our purpose of living.”

Atharva 14.2.71
amō’hamasmi sā tvaṁ sāmāhamasmyr̥ktvaṁ dyaurahaṁ pr̥thivī tvam |
tāviha saṁ bhavāva prajāmā janayāvahai||

“O wife! I am knowledgeable and you are also knowledgeable. I am the heaven and you are the earth. If I am Samved then you are
Rigved. Let us two join as one and create progeny”.

The Vedas further, in regards to equal participation in religious rites, say:

Rigveda 10-191-3
samānō mantraḥ samitiḥ samānī samānaṁ manaḥ sahacittamēṣāṁ|
samānaṁ mantramabhi mantrayē vaḥ samānēna vō haviṣā juhōmi||

“O women! These mantras are given to you equally as to men. Your mind and consciousness should be harmonious. I give you
these mantras equally as to men and give you all and equal powers to absorb the full powers of these mantras.”

The fact that women and men are seen as equals in the eyes of dharma reflects the egalitarian attitude of the Vedas, and how the
tradition emphasizes that a spirit of cooperation and appreciation between men and women is what leads to societal progression.

The Gift of Mothers

Additionally, as per Vedic Dharma, each woman in the world must be accorded the highest respect and honor. In other words, she
must be respected as one’s own mother, nothing more and nothing less.
It is important to note, however, that the status of women as mother is bestowed not only upon aged women or individuals who
physically have children, but any and every female, regardless of age, religion, caste, or race. According to the Vedas, this is because
women are born with the ability to civilize society by their mere presence, a belief that is highlighted specifically in the passages
below:

Yajurveda 6.17
idamāpaḥ pravahatāvadyaṁ ca malaṁ ca yat|
yaccābhidudrōhānr̥taṁ yacca śēpē’abhīruṇam |
āpō mā tasmādēnasaḥ pavama naśca muñcatu

“O pure and blessing Mothers! Cleanse us all from sins, immorality, and pollution. Purge us from falsehood, hatred, jealousy, and
frustrations.”

Rigveda 8.18.7
uta syā nō divā madiraditirūtyā gamat|
sāśantāti mayaskaradapa stridhaḥ

“May the pure life-giving enlightening woman be respected as mother everyday so that she provides us with peace and eradicates
all hatred from the society.”

Yajurveda 12.15
sīda tvaṁ māturasyā’upasthē viśvānyagnē vayunānividvān|
maināṁ tapasā mārciṣā’bhi śōcīrantarasyā śukrajyōtirvibhāhi||

“If you desire brilliance, approach the mother. With her blessing, be the scholar of all subjects. Do not aggrieve the mother. Enlighten
yourself with pure blessings of the noble mother.”

Ultimately, the Vedic tradition holds the highest regard for women all around the world, believing them to be the movement of several
important qualities and powers. It advocates for female safety and empowerment. It believes that women must be honoured by their
fathers, brothers, husband, that they must be given an education, that they must be treated as equals. They are, after all, forms of
Shakti, of mothers, of Hindu goddesses themselves.

Manusmruti 3.55
pitr̥bhir bhrātubhiś caitāḥ patibhir dēvarais tathā |
pūjyā bhūṣayitavyāś ca bahukalyāṇamīpsubhiḥ||

Women must be honoured and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands, and brothers-in-law, who desire (their own) welfare.

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Manusmruti 3.56
yatra nāryastu pūjyaṁtē ramaṁtē tatra dēvatāḥ |
yatraitāstu na pūjyantē sarvāstatrā’phalāḥ kriyāḥ ||

Where Women are honoured, divinity blossoms there, and where women are dishonoured, all action, no matter how noble remain
unfruitful.

Manusmruti 3.60
santuṣṭō bhāryayā bhartā bhartrā bhāryā tathaiva ca|
yasminnēva kulē nityaṁ kalyāṇaṁ tatra vai dhar̥vam||

In that family, where the husband is pleased with his wife and the wife with her husband, happiness will assuredly be lasting.

2. Global perspectives on Women

Indian thought on women
One Britisher and an Indian were talking. The Britisher asked the Indian, “why in your country women do not shake hands with men?
It is not such a crime to shake hands.” The Indian asked in return a question to the Britisher. “In your country can a common man
shake hands with the Queen?” “How is it possible?” said the Britisher. Indian asked “Why not”? Britisher replied “She is our countries
queen.

Then the Indian replied, in your country only the King’s wife is queen. But in our country every woman
is a queen. The Britisher on hearing the reply was speechless. The Indian talking to the Britisher was
Swami Vivekananda.

American thought on women

“If you educate a man, you educate an individual, however, if you educate a woman, you educate a
whole family.” Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said this quote in many places during his tenure as Prime
Minister of India.

Above is famous quote by Bringham Young, a religious preacher from US and is also African proverb. This shows the basic idea
behind the usefulness of educating a woman is realized across continents and its benefits are realized across globe. Educating
women helps in raising socio-economic indicators, raises marriage age, lowers population growth rate, better health indicators like
Infant mortality rate and increases family income. urban life. This beneficial effect of women education has been realized by Indian
government which has led to increased welfare programmes targeting women education. However, this increased focus has also
led to legislation of discriminatory election laws which exclude women on basis of education level as evidenced by recent legislation
of Rajasthan and Haryana.

Unicef’s thought on women

Investing in girls’ education transforms communities, countries, and the entire world.

Girls who receive an education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. They earn higher
incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families. Girls’ education
strengthens economies and reduces inequality.

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 3. Discussions
Position for Women in Vedic scriptures
Why is it that women were given such a position by VedA and Sanatana Dharma?

By nature, a woman is SELFLESS, soft, compassionate, have lot of patience, and

phenomenal administrative quality. (Motherly nature). Sage Tiruvalluvar, a great
Tamil Poet from south of India has made 1330 couplets about Dharma, Artha, Kama,
and Moksha, the basic tenets of Dharma as stated in Sruti (Shastra) and Smruti
(Purana, Itihasa etc.,). All these couplets were only 1 ½ lines each.

He says in one of the couplets (couplet No 69) about the mother (a woman):

Kural No: 69
eendra pozhudhin peridhuvakkum thanmakanaich
chaandroan enakkaetta thaai

The mother who hears her son is appreciated as “a wise man” by all, will rejoice more than she did at his birth. No further explanation
is needed here for a mother’s selflessness.

However same, Tiruvalluvar’s couplets say, in Kural 69,70 about a father.

“What does a father do? (Who is a Guru, guide, and father etc., of the child according to Sanatana
Dharma).

Kural No: 67
thandhai makaRkaatrum nandri avaiyaththu
mundhi iruppach cheyal

The benefit which a father should confer on his son, is to give him precedence in the assembly of
learned. In return the son, should bring accolades to the father.

Kural No: 70
makan-dhandhaikku aatrum udhavi ivan-dhandhai
ennoatraan kol-enum sol

People should say like this based on his son’s progress in life, about his father:

“By doing what great penance did his father beget him? A father expects a PratiUpakaram, a return favour from his own child
whereas mother is selfless.

Adorer of the feminine principle: Bharati

Bharati, a great poet during British ruling India, days and died very young was a great Kavi (a poet). He wrote lot of National spirited
songs and women. He visualised women as “Pudumai Pen” i.e., new women. What did he have to say about women: let us see
from the eyes of his great-grand- daughter, Ms. S. Vijaya Bharati. Bharati believed absolutely, not only in the equality, but also,
the superiority of the female over the male and divinity she has. It was the mother, Mother Parashakti!” In his essay, “The Place
of Woman,” Bharati describes womankind as “the civiliser and, therefore, the spiritual superior of man.” “Civilisation,” he writes,
“is the taming down of man by woman.”

Bharati wrote about his own ideal of a “Pudumai Penn,” a new kind
of woman. He visualised her as a leader and a lawmaker and, above
all, a free, independent, and fully realised human being. The Pudumai
Penn that Bharati saw before his own eyes was none other than his
wife, Chellamma. A woman who had married at age seven, and was
effectively denied all the benefits of modern education, nevertheless
emerged as Bharati’s foremost disciple understanding the poet’s
heart and vision to the core and virtually memorizing every line of
poetry that he wrote. The poet celebrated her in lines of immortal
poetry, and praised her as his vision made incarnate. “The loving
wife is Shakti herself,” he wrote. Let us worship women also in our homes, and in our hearts. How very similar to Manusmruti
3.56 quoted above. Bharati’s original poem in Tamil is entitled, “Moonru Kadal.” (Three ocean).

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 4. What is Modern Life for a woman?
Today’s lifestyle being sedentary, workstyle being marathon, eating
habits on processed food, and family life structure being isolated
(satellite) brought stress to individuals especially women, leading to
different types of diseases. And amidst them comes a “symbol of
wisdom, purity, and the start of a spiritual awakening in the
modern society by “SHE ‘THE WOMEN.’ It is because of her innate
qualities as a mother she copes up effortlessly with these pressures,
tension, and hard labour. However, she needs to maintain semblance
through this chaos and so, Yoga comes in picture.

Yoga is for everyone. But women need it more than anyone else
because they must shoulder multifold responsibilities in modern living
as stated above, to cultivate immense power and motivation to others
to tackle any task or challenge that comes their way.

E.g., While taking care of their family (busy woman), work and other
commitments, such as educate children, satisfy husband, and serve the family if there is joint family. Young student or senior citizen
often neglect to take care of their own wellbeing and to fail to relax. In workplaces, international forums and even the UN, authorities
are promoting women health so that they can be physically, mentally, and emotionally be stronger. We saw above what Unicef has
to say about women. (Page 4/11)

5.Goal of Yoga in “Srimad-Bhagavad GITA”

Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, “Any attachment, positive or negative, is cause for bondage.

Therefore, fighting as a matter of duty is the only auspicious path of salvation.” This is the
goal of yoga and a woman takes to this more seriously when taught. She only does her
activity and does not expect for any fruits from the same.

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते र्ा फलेषु कदाचन |

र्ा कर्मफलहेतुर्भमर्ाम ते सङ्गोऽस््वकर्मणि || BG 2.47 ||

karmaṇy-e vādhikāraste mā phaleṣhu kadāchana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgostvakarmaṇi BG-47

6.How yoga helps women?

Yoga is a combination of physical asanas and breathing techniques that uplifts the psychological and
physiological aspects of health.

It has been known to bring in mindfulness, self-awareness, and physical health benefits. These include weight loss, fitness,
stamina, emotional wellness, peaceful sleep, and acceptance of one’s thoughts and emotions. Yoga, in general, is helpful to
both men and women.

Specific benefits does it bring to women

Women are prone to physical, mental, and psychological problems because of their reproductive cycle and related hormonal
imbalances. From the onset of puberty to the menopause, a woman’s body endures a lot of physical and mental strain.

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 Yoga acts as a restorative process to preparing and bearing all that comes with life.

The various asanas in yoga are designed to bring calmness to the wandering minds of the teenagers while making the hormonal
imbalances bearable. Yogic poses like the Vajrasana, dhanurasana, etc help manage the period cycles, promote a healthier
body, remove toxins, and give peace of mind. Yoga poses combined with good breathing techniques and meditation help avoid
emotional instability and develop the reproductive organs in a healthy way.

Women in their 20s and 30s juggle their career, household chores, the period cycles, pregnancy, and tiresome schedules. Yoga
brings balance into their lives by culminating a habit that improves their hormonal balance, body strength, self-acceptance, and
calmness. While the responsibilities of the world can be challenging, carrying out a 40-minute to one Hour practice helps bring
energy, sanity, and peace of mind.

Then comes menopause, when a woman’s reproductive cycle comes to an end. The transition period is hard to handle specially
with the whole lot of hormonal changes. One is known to undergo fatigue, pain, mood swings, hot flashes, disturbed stomach
during this period. Yoga activates the energy chakras and provides strength to women to deal with their physiological and
psychological changes. It aids in optimising the performance of the body organs. It also balances the hormones, moods, and
inner peace to attain a quality of life.

7.Women – Quality of being regular

During her menstruation, pregnancy, or postpartum and menopause stages of life – she faces a very emotional and stressful time.
She needs an active and fuller of life, which means a better quality of life as she ages. Therefore, she must be regular in her
yogic practice.

Bhagavat Gita (B.G explains this situation and remedy)

yuktāhāra-vihārasya
yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu
yukta-svapnāvabodhasya
yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā || BG 6.17 ||

Regularity means the quality of being regular in carrying out Yoga. Let women regulate ourselves and be synch with nature!

sa tu dīrghakāla nairantarya satkāra-āsevito dr̥ ḍhabhūmiḥ ॥ PYS 1.14 ॥

It is only when a new habit (regulation) is followed for a long time, without interruption and with a positive attitude that success could
be achieved.

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8.Conclusion
Women by nature has selfless quality, and imbibes the yogic principles to her children even while they are at womb, (It is stated when
a grand mom carrys her daughter in the womb, the grand- daughter’s egg is already in the womb of the daughter-Lineage) and others
during her life. She spreads her knowledge (yogic teaching) to many persons around her ensuring they reach to the height of their
success.

Maa Shraddha Devi the wife and spiritual consort of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is the best example.

Women are mentally strong and can easily adopt themselves to any situation.
They are very good teachers and Veda recommends to teach women well,
so they could spread Dharma through many students.

It is Yoga which could give them more systematic and regular practice to upgrade their natural
skills.

Bibliography
• Vedic texts Rig, Sama, Yajur Veda, English Translation by Dr. Tulsi Ram M.A; Ph D(London)
• Tamil Literatures – Tirukkural Moolam with Vyakyanam(Uma Padippagam-(Publisher) with Parimelazagar Vyakyanam and
Sri. Gopal Krishnamachariar- Research Notes
• Book of Mahakavi Bharathiyar for Women Freedom.
• The Place of Woman, by Bharati
• Srimad Bhagavad Gita (With Srimad Bhagavad Ramanuja’s Bhashya and Srimad Vedanta Desika’s Tatparya Chandrika
and Srimad Abhinava Desika Uttamur Veerarraghavacharya’s Detailed Introduction and Rasavada Foot Notes)
• Reference articles about women from Dinamani (A Tamil magazine)- from Internet sources
• Indian Express English Magazine- from internet sources.
• https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/11/29/8-you-educate-a-man-you-educate- a-man- you-educate-a-woman-you-
educate-a-generation/
• https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/vedic-teachings-about-womanhood-2/

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