WOMAN
WARRIORS IN VEDS
Introducation
:
Before
going into the topic Women Warrior in Rig Ved it would not be fair
on my part if I dont mention the name Ghosha. I (Dr. Gaurav Arunkumar
Vyas) represent Gautam Gotra. Rishi Gautam was son of Dirghtamas,
Dirghtamas and Kauts were son of Rishi Angiras.
Rishi
Gautam also had a brother Kakshivan. Ghosha was his daughter. This
in a way makes Ghosha my sister and hence it is her prerogative
not only as a part of my family but also because of her achievements
that I mention her name.
Another
important warrior is wife of Mudgal. Her name was Nalyani Indrasena.
She was called Mudgalani i.e. wife of Mudgal.
Mudgal
had a Daughter Ahilya who was married to Rishi Gautam.
To
know more about Rishi Mudgal Click
here.
During
Vedic times women also wrote vedic mantras and also took part in
war. Women of the Vedic period were examples of spiritual attainment.
They were revealers of Brahman and learners of the Veds sometimes
even composing some of the hymns. They were highly spiritually exalted
and their knowledge and wisdom were on par or sometimes even greater
than their male counterparts. They embraced simple living and high
thinking. Some of them were wives or children of great Rishis.
Ghosha
:
Ghosha
was an ancient Vedic period Indian female philosopher and seer.
From a young age she suffered from a skin ailment which had disfigured
her. Ashvini Kumars cured her and restored her youthfulness, health
and beauty. As a result, she got married and had a son. She was
proficient in the Veds and had even scripted two hymns in the Rigved.
She was called as mantradrik meaning well versed in mantras. She
was also known as a Brahmavadini or speaker or proclaimer of Brahman
and led a purposeful spiritual life.
Biography
:
Ghosha was born during the Vedic period in India. Her father was
Kakshivan and grandfather was Dirghatamas and both of them had written
hymns in the Rigved. She was suffering from a skin ailment and was
confined to the house attending to her father. According to a hymn,
she suffered from leprosy, which had disfigured her. She was thus
a celibate for a long period. She fervently prayed to Ashvins, the
divine physician twins of the time, who were proficient in rejuvenation.
They taught her Madhu Vidhya, a Vedic teaching, a science of secret
learning to restore youth and acquire immense knowledge, to get
her cured of skin ailment. Because of her constant prayers Ashvini
Kumars cured her skin problem and restored her beauty. She was then
married. She had a son, Suhstya, who also composed a hymn in the
Rigved.
Ghosha
composed two hymns in praise of the Ashvini Kumars which are contained
in two suktas (hymns) of the tenth Mandal (book) of Rigved, chapter
X hymns 39 and 40, each containing 14 verses. The first hymn praises
the Ashvins. The second hymn is a personal desire expressing her
intimate feelings and desires for married life. The two hymns are:
[citation needed]
Asvins Your radiant Chariot -whither goes it on its way? Who decks
it for you, Heroes, for its happy course starting at daybreak visiting
each morning every house, borne hitherward through prayer unto the
sacrifice?
Where
are you, Asvins, in the evening, where at morn? Where is your halting
place, where rest ye for the night? O Heroes, this I beg of you.
'Be near me in the day, be near me in the night'.
Birth
and Early Living :
Ghosha
was the daughter of Rishi Kakshivan who was a descendent of Angiras
and granddaughter of Dirgatamas. As she suffered from a skin ailment
(leprosy) from childhood she was unable to get married. She dutifully
served her father but continuously prayed to the Ashvini Kumars
the divine physicians who were endowed with the power of rejuvenation.
Pleased with her deep and sincere prayers the Ashvini Kumars taught
her Madhu Vidya, the Science of secret learning which granted her
youth and great knowledge and cured her of her ailment due to which
she subsequently got a worthy husband. She composed two Rig Ved
hymns 39, 49 of Mandal ten each containing 14 verses. The first
eulogises the Ashvini Devtas and the second is a personal wish expressing
her intimate desires and feelings for married life. Her son Suhastya
also composed a hymn in the Rig Ved.
Gosha
is revered as one of the woman seers of Vedic India, a Rishika who
was highly knowledgeable and proficient in the Vedas and even composed
a few hymns. She was a Brahmavadini or speaker or revealer of Brahman
and lived a highly spiritual life and has been recorded in the annals
of ancient Vedic history as one of the famous woman seers along
with Gargi, Lopamudra , Maitreyi etc.
Rishika
:
Rishika
means female Rishi.
The
term Rishi was used for the Vedic hymn writers during the Vedic
age. The Rishis were basically the creators or composers of Veds.
Various females Rishikas are mentioned in Rig Ved and Sam Ved as
a contributor to Vedic scriptures. Viswavara, Apala and Ghosha alongwith
Lopamudra, Devayani etc are mentioned in Rig Ved.
One
or more mantra was revealed to each Rishika.
Following
are the Verse and their Rishika :
Verse |
Rishika |
4.18 |
Aditi |
10.72 |
Adtirdakshayani |
8.91 |
Apala
atreyi |
10.86
|
Indrani |
10.85 |
Urvashi |
10.134 |
Godha |
10.39,10.40 |
Gosha
daughter of Kakshivan |
10.109 |
Juhurbramhajaya |
10.184
|
Tvashta
Garbhakarta |
10.107
|
Dakshina
Prajapatya |
10.154
|
Yami |
10.10
|
Yami
Daughter of Vaivasvat |
10.127
|
Ratrirbharadvaji |
1.171
|
Lopamudra |
10.28
|
Vasukrapatni |
10.125 |
Vagambhrni |
5.28
|
Vishvavara
Daughter of Atreyi |
8.1
|
Sashvatyangirasi |
10.151
|
Shradhda
Kamayani |
10.159
|
Shachi
Paulomi |
9.86
|
Sikata
Nivavari |
10.85
|
Surya
Savitri |
1.126
|
Romasha |
10.108
|
Sarama
Devashuni |
9.104
|
Shikhandinyava
Psarasau Kashyapan |
10.142
|
Jar
ta Sharngah |
8.71
|
Suditirangirasah |
10.153
|
Indra
Mataro |
The
list is even more but only few names are covered
|
Mention
of Woman warrior Vishpala in Rig Ved :
Vedic
Hymn (mantra) :
In
Rig Ved there is mention of women warriors. Ashwinikumars were Doctor
of Devtas.
1.
RV 1.112.10 (Rig Ved Mandal 1, Sukt 112, Mantra 10 i.e. 1220) :
![](rv1.112.sukt.jpg)
![](rv1.112.10.jpg)
Rig
Ved Hymn (mantra) 10 i.e. 1220
This
Hymn (mantra) is written by Kuts son of Angiras
Translation in English :
O
Ashwini Kumars, by the ability with which you both you had assisted
in the battle field wealth giving Vishpala born in the Atharv
lineage where thousands of warriors were fighting and protected
Vash Rishi son of inspiring Ashvaraj, with the same protection capabilities
you certainly come to us.
2. RV 1.116.15 (Rig Ved Mandal 1, Sukt 116, Mantra 15 i.e. 1287)
:
Rig
Ved Hymn (mantra) 15 i.e. 1287
This Hymn (mantra) is written by Kakshivan son of Dirghtamas
Translation :
As
a wing of bird falls same way Vishpala lady who was related to King
Khel her leg was cut in war. During night time you two (here it
says about Ashwini kumars) attached a Iron thigh so that after war
starts she can attack.
Meaning
:
The
above Hymn (mantra) is written by Kakshivan who was son of Dirghtamas
and this entire incident where the Ashvini Kumars attached a Iron
Thigh happened in front of him (Kakshivan).
Kakshivan
was brother of Rishi Gautam, their father was Dirghtamas and Dirghtamas
was Rishi Angiras. Kakshivan, Gautam, Dirghtamas, Angiras, etc.
were Brahmins and have written Hyms of Rig, Sam, Yajur and Atharv
Ved.
3. RV 1.117.11 (Rig Ved Mandal 1, Sukt 117, Mantra 11 i.e. 1308)
:
![](rv1.117.sukt.jpg)
![](rv1.117.11.jpg)
This
Hymn (mantra) is written by Kakshivan son of Dirghtamas (aushij)
Translation
:
O
nurturer of all, full of truth Ashwinikumar. Maan prayed to you
both for attaining son and you granted him capability to attain
son. On the prayer of Rishi
Agastya you healed amputated leg of Vishpala.
4. RV 1.118.8 (Rig Ved Mandal 1, Sukt 118, Mantra 8 i.e. 1330) :
![](rv1.118.sukt.jpg)
![](rv1.118.8.jpg)
This
Hymn (mantra) is written by Kakshivan son of Dirghtamas
Translation
:
O
Ashwinikumars you both ancient times for Yajya host (yajman) named
Shayu you made cow capable of producing milk, you released Quail
from the mouth of wolf and replaced amputated leg of Vishpala with
iron leg by proper treatment (shalya kriya).
5. RV 10.39.8 (Rig Ved Mandal 10, Sukt 39, Mantra 8 i.e. 9203) :
![](rv10.39.sukt.jpg)
![](rv10.39.8.jpg)
This
Hymn (mantra) is written by Ghosha daughter of Kakshivan
Translation
:
O
Ashwinikumars you granted youth to Rishi who had dilapidated body.
You brought out Rishi Vandan from well who was in sorrow because
of death of his wife. Same way you provided iron leg to lame Vishpala
and made her capable of walking.
[In
ancient times restoring youth and Artifical limb surgery knowledge
can be seen from these hymns (mantras).
Above
Rig Ved Hymns (mantras ) summarization :
No. |
Particulars |
1.
|
Vishpala
who belonged to atharv lineage and was related to King Khel,
in battlefield where thousands of warriors war fighting
she lost her leg and she was assisted by Ashwinikumars and
on the prayer of Rishi Agastya during night time with artificial
limb surgery (shalya kriya) a iron leg was attached by Ashwinikumars
and made Vishpala capable of walking so that she can attack
in war, |
2.
|
Maan
was made capable to attaining son by Ashwinikumars, |
3.
|
A
cow was made capable of producing milk for Yagya host (yajman)
named Shayu by Ashwinikumars, |
4. |
A
Quail was released from the mouth of wolf by Ashwinikumars,
|
5.
|
A
Rishi who had dilapidated body was granted youth by Ashwinikumars
and, |
6. |
Rish
Vandan was brought out from well who was in sworrow because
of death of his wife. |
Other
Rig Ved Mantras :
6.
RV 10.102.2 (Rig Ved Mandal 10, Sukt 102, Mantra 2) :
![](rv.10.102sukt.png)
![](rv10.102.2.jpg)
![](rv10.102.2.png)
Translation
:
At
the time when Mudgals wife (mudgalani) drove chariot and was going
to win cows at that time her clothes were taken care / handled by
wind. At the time of winning cows Mudgals wife became Rathi (The
owner of or the rider in chariot). Mudgals wife Indrasena at the
time of war snached and brought cows from the hands of enemy.
Points
:
This
proves that in Ancient women used to ride chariots and take part
in war.
7. RV 10.102.6 (Rig Ved Mandal 10, Sukt 102, Mantra 6) :
![](rv.10.102sukt.png)
![](rv.10.102.6.jpg)
Translation
:
The
bull has been yoked for the destruction of the enemy; his long-haired
yoke-fellow made him roar; rushing on with the waggon of the irresistible
yoked (bull), the warriors come forth went to mudgalani (Indrasena).
8. RV 5.30.9 (Rig Ved Mandal 5, Sukt 30, Mantra 9 i.e. 3863 ) :
This
Hymn (mantra) is written by Vabhu son of Aatreya
Translation
:
When
Das Namuchi used women in war that time what will his this weak
army do? thinking this Indra Dev took his 2 main women as prisoner
and moved forward to fight namuchi.
Points
:
The
above Mantra proves that there was a Women army / brigade during
Vedic times. People with Das surname are still found in Bharat specially
Eastern side of Bharat like Bengal and Assam. I am not sure if these
people belong to Das tribe or not.
To
know more about Das tribe mentioned in Rig Ved Click
here.
To
know more about Aatreya Click
here.
The
above mantras can be related to Dasharajnya
or ‘Battle of ten Kings or Varshagir
war mentioned in Rig Ved.
9.
YV Sukt 17.44 and 45 (Yajur Ved, Sukt 17, Mantra 44 and 45) :
![](yajurved/yv.17.jpg)
![](yajurved/yv.17sukt.chand.jpg)
Yajur ved Sukt 17.44 (Yajur Ved, Sukt 17, Mantra 44) :
Translation
:
It
is appropriate for Chairman / chairperson, etc that just like he
accepts highly acclaimed well built and with complete body brave
men's army in the same way he should accept the brave women army
and in the army of women, which has a woman sorcerous from that
army establish control over enemy.
Point
:
The
above mantra (hymn) proves that there was a women army which also
had woman sorcerous.
10.
YV Sukt 17.45 (Yajur Ved, Sukt 17, Mantra 45) :
![](yajurved/yv.17.45.jpg)
Translation
:
Chairman
/ chairperson needs that the way in which they have trained men
in the same way they should train women in the science of war. The
way brave men fights in war the same way women also fights in war
and dies. From those (warriors) who are left alive arrange them
constantly and effectively in que.
Point
:
The
above mantra (hymn) proves that women were also trained as men in
science of war, they fought and died same way brave men fought and
died.