Maitreyi from Upanishads broke wife-mother mould in ancient India
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- Maitreyi chooses the knowledge that leads to immortality over her husband’s offer of money. Her philosophical ambition reveals the roots of women-led institutions in Buddhism and Jainism. “Of the two, Maitreyi was a woman who took part in philosophical discussions (brahmavadini-a philosopher like Gargi), while Katyayani’s understanding was limited to womanly matters.” In his latest video column, scholar and professor of Sanskrit and Indian religions at the University of Texas at Austin, Professor Patrick Olivelle delves into the story of Yajnavalkya's two wives, Maitreyi and Katyayani.
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In the western universities,
Islamic studies departments are staffed with practicing Muslims who defend the Quran.
Buddhist studies departments are staffed with practicing Buddhists who defend Buddha's opinion about women.
Christian studies departments are staffed with practicing Christians who cunningly enough play safe to avoid inconvenient topics.
Hindu studies departments are staffed with everyone except "typical practicing Hindus". Mostly Uppercaste Bhadrlok exHindus and Coconut Abhramics rule over Hindu/India studies departments.
(Why use the word typical practicing Hindus? because, unlike Islam, Hinduism is a religion of diversity. An idol worshipping Hindu with deep faith in Brahman, Ataman, and reincarnation is the center of gravity person in a massively diverse Hindu jungle. Such Hindu is like a river in any Jungle)
Why are these departments not staffed with Ramakrishna Math people or Chinmaya Math people?
historians are not there to defend anything
Because Ramkrishna people are present in religious studies departments of universities like Harvard, as they aren't historians. History needs decades of research and several scientific methods which need separate training. Random people on RUclips or Twitter can't become historians.
Exactly do you think these western countries will ever allow it?
@@grapeshott 1) Here the subject is about Hindu/Indic religion studies. If practicing Muslims are commonly staffed in Islamic studies, why are ex-Hindus generally staffed in Hindu/Indic studies? 2) There is no "typical idol worshipping reincarnation believing" Hindus who are also good historians? Is that your assumption? If practicing Muslims write the history of Islam, why are ex-Hindus & brown abhramics staffed to write Hindu history?
@@nv9991 Btw, who told you that there are Muslim clerics present in Harvard to "defend" Quran?
The Professor has chosen to explain the story from the lens of history and textual criticism. This is not the correct frame of Upaniṣadic discussion on two counts.
1. The Upaniṣad is not intended to be read as a history or social science book.
2. Applying the modern narrative of patriarchy and the place of women in society to measure society is the outcome of the 'oppressed oppressor' framework. This destroys the subject matter of Upaniṣad.
Because of choosing the incorrect frame, the professor reached the wrong conclusions and included Jainism and Buddhism unnecessarily.
There are a few glaring variations in the Professor’s story, and the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad taught and commented on by traditional Gurus in the Advaita tradition. These variations expose the Professor's true intent.
1. Traditional commentary (including that of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya and modern commenter Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan) does not have any mention of Kātyāyani's understanding was limited to womanly matters.’ The professor has chosen an obscure version (if any) that suits his narrative because he wants to establish patriarchy right at the start.
2. Traditional commentary (including that of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya and modern commenter Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan) does not mention Yājñavalkya ‘dying’. The commentary says he wants to move to vānaprasthāśrama (life of ascetic after the gṛhastha - householder - stage). For this, he is seeking permission from Maitreyi and wants to share his wealth between Maitreyi and Kātyāyani.
3. Maitryi as ‘Amṛtā’-The Professor's narrative that ‘women have the capacity to be immortal’ is again his frame of analyzing the Upaniṣad through the 'oppressed oppressor' framework. This is not correct. The Vedas propound that everyone has the capacity to seek freedom from suffering and mokṣa. Yājñavalkya is referring to nididhyāsana - a method of reflection. It is part of the three-stage process of seeking mokṣa - śrvana (listening to the meaning of Vedas), manana (thinking), and nididhyāsana -reflecting on the meaning of Vedas through self-inquiry. This three-stage process is available for everyone - man or woman.
4. The Professor’s claim that ‘Amṛtā’ was the first instance of a woman claiming the capacity of immorality is not correct.
Per the Vaidic view, humans have two primary lifestyles-Pravṛtti and Nivṛtti. Pravṛtti focuses on progeny and wealth, and Nivṛtti focuses on being in action while renouncing the fruits of action. Maitreyi’s questions indicate that she is a qualified seeker (mumukṣu) well on the path of Nivṛtti. One can refer to Bhavaggītā 3.3, where Bhagavān says that he has created two paths of life.
It seems that the Professor’s goal was not to explain the meaning of Upaniṣad to seek the truth but to divide the people into man and woman, with the frame of 'oppressed oppressor'. The culture that created the ultimate thought on human emancipation while living life, he wants to show it in a bad light.
References-
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, The Principle Upanisads, India: HaperCollins Publishers, first published in 1953
Swāmī Mādhavānanda, The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad with the Commentary of Śaṅkarācārya Translated by Swāmī Mādhavānanda, Almora, Himalayas: Advaita Ashram, Third Edition, 1950
I thought this guy was gone but he’s still lurking putting out biased videos. I have to fine tune Google recommendations to not see him 😈
you don't need to see reputed historians. You just need to see pseudo-historians like Chavda who makes enlarges your ego
@@grapeshott You can't even write a grammatically correct English sentence! How can you possibly have any credibility?? Bot...
matreyis is not the 1st brahmavadini to break that mould in ancinet india. there are many before her like Vak Ambhrini, Lopamudra, Vishwawara, Sikta, Ghosha. This proves the case that women in hinduism were far more liberal and free thinking and also hinduism is the earliest which supported and encourangement women empowerment eons before most religions , culures and civilisations were not even born.
@@SAIPRADEEP070 Similar to today how some women build successful careers despite being a patriarchal society, the same was there even in ancient India. Society in India has always been highly patriarchal. Even today when a girl tries to do love marriages, there is high opposition from family members. In ancient India, this was even more. Women philosophers weren't the norm, they were exceptions. That's why u would find a minuscule number of women poets/philosophers in ancient India compared to male ones.
Upanishads can only be understood by a practising scholar of Dharma, which is entrenched in the universal laws
Print media should think before they publish
Half baked knowledge is dangerous
And you are a full practitioner of Upanishad? Who are you to abuse him?
They Got the Rice bag convert for Upnishad
A brown sahib to the T!
This story is well known. Perhaps you are some saffronvadi who don't believe in women's knowledge.
@@grapeshott Calm down Karen!
@@grapeshott what if I am muslim??
Bro himself seems confused. The video title and what he speaks does not match.
@@ronak4435 Well, he's a commie! He is like a white guy with female genitalia.
Even though I am limitless agnostic atheist, I still object to Patrick Olivelle, a fundamentalist converted Christian, giving a lecture on this subject. The Abrahamic assault. Better he lectures ion Virgin Mary.
Why are you even angry with him?
@@grapeshott y u getting triggered dude.. is he ur dad or something?
@@HumanFirst001 ikr 😂, like this dude is personally going and replying to every comment to try and defend the guy in the video and calling others angry and offended. The irony!
@@user-rb9vp1of4z 😁😁 typical woke playbook tactic 😂
There is bias in the way he puts it. Guys learn from a guru or aacharya. This story is better shown in Upanishad Ganga episode. There is complete discription.
Well ancient India has been worshipping Maa Ambay/ Maa Durga since time immemorial! Your opinion doesn’t seem well rooted in the history
What? You think there were no Indian women in ancient times who were intellectuals?
@@grapeshott Why are you so triggered by every comment?? The professor is obviously biased. You can see his previous videos too! His intent is fishy as he specifically picks controversial topics that projects negatively n talks of it without context.
Commie detected opinion rejected!
Two successive generations into the future projected
@@Dunnowhattonem 😁
@@kushangpatel983 you fail miserably to comprehend the innuendo given your limited mental faculties evident by the epithet in your username
@@Dunnowhattonem Yeah sure! But atleast not as bad as that guy!😂. Bhai, Hindi mein bata dei! Nahi aati itni Angrezi!
@@kushangpatel983 but "opinion rejected " ??
Not sure what he wants to say. But he seems comfortable to find justification in an ancient story, albeit drawn out of context, to his opinions. Who is this person?
@@venukus Exactly? He just picked one instance to suit his opinions! There are 100s of examples otherwise! What can you expect from a Brown sahib?
I don't know why you are criticising this world famous historian. You don't think there were intellectual women in ancient India? @@kushangpatel983
His previous videos are similarly biased likely by his own Abrahamic faith. Have to put down others to feel good about themselves. His intent is fishy as he specifically picks controversial topics that projects negatively n talks of it without context.
Surprised to see his understanding of Brihadaranya Upanishad
what is more suprising is that you are suprised at patrick's understanding. Did'nt max muller a german study indology couple of centuries ago? So what;s actually suprising is that fact that how patrick being chrisitan indologist has not plugged in any agenda or biases or self serving narratives in to this analysis
@@SAIPRADEEP070 Can you guys tell with what portion you have the problem? Abusers don't tell what the problem is, but just do ad-hominem attack on the professor.
Patrick Olivelle??? No wonder he is crying Patriarchy several times. The story he narrated proves no Patriarchy, so he has to color it. The Print proved it again.
You don't think Patriarchy didn't exist in India? lol
@@grapeshott Patriarchy is a balanced system with checks and balances! We took responsibilities that's why we assumed authority!
@@kushangpatel983 Patriarchy is a "balanced" system? Which school are you from? Even the word in the dictionary itself means a system where the male dominating women. Or are you composing a new English dictionary?
@@grapeshott A male dominated society would be androcentrism while a female dominated one would be gynocentrism. Yes men assumed authority because we had responsibilities. While women today just want authority but no responsibilities.
It looks the presenter is totally biased..presenting a distorted view..he is trying to plant his bias using the upanshad story.
This story is well known. What bias? Is it about women, or about materialism?
@@grapeshott did you even get what he is talking abt?
@@abhiag747 Yes. It's a well known story. So what's you complaining against? Is it about gender roles in ancient India, or the 'almost materialistic ' interpretation?
@@grapeshott Buddhism and Jainism are monastic religions..they did not bring any emancipation of women. He just said one line in the end without any evidence whatsoever. Katyayani was limited to womanly affairs. He uses this to assert that the whole vedic society was oppressive patriarchy. This is a distortion and extrapolation without any evidence.
He needs better eyes, mind and thought to be independent. A lot of context is missing and possibly purposefully
Very good. Neti,neti explains in a nutshell as words can not describe that which is beyond words,comparisons.
If only . . . IF only this great scholar could, for a moment, shed the modern schisms and look at the ancient Indian history from a indigenous non-judgemental eyes!
He is a historian. If you don't like there are a billion other videos.
@@crtp47 This is my opinion. If you don't like there are a billion others comments.
What's an indigenous eye? Non judgemental? What do you mean? Just say you cannot bear criticism of your scriptures, because you want them to conform to your modern age and notions and not embarrass you? is that it? You can't change the scriptures so you would rather shut your ears and others mouths right? Kinda uncomfortable topic, anyways
"Indigenous" 😅
@@JohnNobody_ *What's an indigenous eye? Non judgemental? What do you mean?*
If I have to explain that, its futile to reply.
However, I'm replying only as a courtesy to you, despite your rather ignorant and aggressive attitude.
Briefly and masterfully, the narrator explains the most essential point across all Upanishads.
here comes the commie
You better not coome if can't tolerate the next 2 generations going red
My salute to you sir. With a name like Patrick Olivelle you are digging into non duality and Upanishads. Thank you for making me humble. A teacher appears when the student is ready. The explanation is succinct and lucid - wow. Also sir, it is my apologies for not knowing about you.
Can you give reference to your claim that in ancient India women were either mother or wife and had no other role to play..? Our puranas and ithasa gives reference of women being warriors and participating in labour as well... Such references are abundant in pre Christan and Islamic history... It was only in last 1000-2000 years things turned around with barbarians dominating the globe
Who is this guy? First time I am watching him. Can anyone help me 🙏
He is a famous historian Patrick Olivelle, born in Srilanka. Just read the description bro
His previous videos are similarly biased likely by his own Abrahamic faith. Have to put down others to feel good about themselves. His intent is fishy as he specifically picks controversial topics that projects negatively n talks of it without context.
His previous videos are similarly biased likely by his own Abrahamic faith. Have to put down other faith to feel good about one’s own faith. His intent is fishy as he specifically picks controversial topics that projects negatively n talks of it without context.
Fresh content! Pretty admirable❤
Ab yeh din dekhna baaki thaa.
Ab 🍚 🎒 hamein upanishad sikhaayenge
Smh 🤦
Nice video. I dont know why some people criticise him. Perhaps some random Sanghis who dont want to cast away their misconceptions about gender roles...
even from sanghi pov i dont see the problem. feels more like a larp of being we wuzz traditionalists
@@dormadoom At first I thought they had a problem with the interpretation of the story. But that's not it. One guy in comments is even saying "Patriarchy is a balanced system" where men have great responsibilities, and it's a system of "checks and balances."
There is no wonder why Indians are so backward.
Andhbhakt listening to an educated scholar. 😂😂
Now Christians who don't believe in India is going to teach us our history. So how are you going to do this? First flattery then insult
amazing and ispiring
Too much of garbage in your bible? Here are some examples. Genesis 19:30-38 - Lot slept with his two daughters in Zoar. "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."Proverbs 23:13-14. Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.Psalm 137:8-9
rice bag raja explaining upanishads is the joke of the century.
Thanks!
Dear Ram,
Thank you for supporting ThePrint.
Katyayini is the real human being.Rest all are hot gas including Yajgavalka