The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c6.37

c6.37

Women students were divided into two classes, *Brahmavādinīs* and *Sadyodvāhās*. The former were lifelong students of theology and philosophy; the latter used to prosecute their studies till their marriage at the age of 15 or 16. During the eight or nine years that were thus available to them for study, they used to learn by heart the Vedic hymns prescribed for the daily and periodical prayers and for those rituals and sacraments in which they had to take an active part after their marriage. There is ample evidence to show that, like men, women also used to offer regularly their Vedic prayers both morning and evening. For instance, in more than one place in the Rāmāyaṇa Sītā is described as offering her daily Vedic prayers¹. When writing came into general vogue, girls were initiated into the three R's as a matter of course.