Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.s6.36

c12.s6.36

**Education of Women.** The Vedic tradition was continued as regards education of women. The *Bṛihat-devatā* calls the Rigvedic Women-Ṛishis (such as Ghoshā, Romaśā, Lopāmudrā, or Viśvavārā) as *Brahma-Vādinīs*. Some of the Smṛiti texts understand by a *Brahma-Vādinī* a Kumārī who does not marry. Hārīta [xxi, 23] says: "Women are of two classes: (1) *Brahma-Vādinī*, (2) *Sadyo-badhū*. The former is eligible for Upanayana, Agnyādhāna (Sacrifice to Fire), Veda-Study, and practice of begging within the household. The *Sadyo-badhū* had only to perform Upanayana in some form before she is married." Yama also says: "In times of yore, girls were eligible for (1) *Mauñjī-bandhana* (i.e. Upanayana), (2) study of Veda, and (3) *Sāvitrī-vāchana* (use of Sāvitrī Mantra)."