Brahmavadini

Brahmavadini ("women ascetics"), are those women who strive for the highest philosophical knowledge of Brahman as opposed to Sadyovadhu who are domestic ideal and dedicate themselves to the welfare of their family.[1] The prominent among them were Vak Ambhrini, Lopamudra, Vishwawara, Sikta, Ghosha, and Maitreyi.

Lopamudra was the wife of the sage Agastya.[2] A hymn in the Rigveda is attributed to her. Maitreyi, the wife of Yajnavalkya, is accredited with about ten hymns in Rig Veda[2]

Two suktas (hymns) of the tenth Mandala (book) of Rigveda, 39 and 40, each containing 14 verses, have been attributed to Ghosha.[2] The first hymn praises the Ashvins. The second hymn is a personal wish expressing her intimate feelings and desires for married life.

See also

References
  1. The Sanskrit text brahmavadini is the female of brahmavadi. According to Monier-Williams’s Sanskrit-English Dictionary, "brahmavādín" means ‘discoursing on sacred texts, a defender or expounder of the Veda, one who asserts that all things are to be identified with Brahman’. It doesn't mean "one who speaks like God".
  2. "Vedic Women: Loving, Learned, Lucky!". Retrieved 2006-12-24.
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