Names of 27 Women Seers Mentioned In Vedas.........

Names of 27 Women Seers Mentioned In Vedas.........

The position and respect women had during the Vedic Age are unparalleled. 27 women seers mentioned in the Vedas are collectively known as Brahmavadinih (female seers).

The list is found in the Brhad Devata of Maharishi Saunaka (II.82-84)......

1. Ghosha (Rig Veda X.39.1 to 14 and X-40. 1 to 14)

2. Godha (Rig Veda X. 134.6, 7)

3. Vishwavara (Rig Veda V.28.1 to 6)

4. Apala (Rig Veda VIII 91 to 7)

5. Upanishad.... and .....

6. Nishad (these two, according to A.A. Macdonell, are seers of khila of seven stanzas beginning pradharayantu madhuno ghritasya and described thus in Kashmir manuscript of khilas – prasapta, brahmyo (brahmyou, brahmavadinyou and hnisdupanishadau).

7. Juhu Brahmajaya (Rig Veda X. 109.1 to 7

8. Agastya Swasa (Rig Veda X 60.6)

9. Aditi (Rig Veda IV 18.7)

10. Indrani (Rig Veda X. 86.2 to 6, 9, 10, 15 to 18 and Rig Veda X .145 to 6)

11. Indramata (Rig Veda X .153.1 to 5)

12. Sarama (Rig Veda X .108.2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11)

13. Romasa (Rig Veda I.126.7)

14. Urvashi (Rig Veda X 95.2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18)

15. Lopamudra (Rig Veda 1.179.1, 2).

16. Nadyou (rivers) Vipat and Sutudri (Rig Veda, III 33.4, 6, 8, 10)

17. Yami Vaivasvati (Rig Veda X.10.1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 13 and Rig Veda X.154.1 to 5)

18. Sasvati Agnirasi (Rig Veda VIII 1, 3, 4)

19. Sri (suppose seer of Srikukta khila after Rig Veda V – 87)

20. Laksha (seer of Rig Veda VIII 51)

21. Sarparanji (Rig Veda X.189.1 to 3)

22. Vac (Rig Veda X .125.1 to 8)

23. Shraddha (Rig Veda X . 151.1 to 5)

24. Medha (seer of Medhasukta, khila Rig Veda X .151

25. Dakshina (Rig Veda X 107.1 to 11)

26. Ratri (Rig Veda X . 127.1 to 8)

27. Surya Savini (Rig Veda, X 85.1 to 47)

The Other Women Saints mentioned in the Rig Veda are..........

1. Apsara Yugma (Rig Veda, X.104.1 to 6)

2. Aditi Dkashayani (Rig Veda IX. 720.1 to 9)

3. Indra Snusha Vasuka Patni (Rig Veda X 28.1)

4. Gauriviti Saktrya (Rig Veda V.29.1 to15; Rig Veda IX. 108.1 and 2 Rig Veda X 73.1 to 11 and Rig Veda X. 74.1 to 6)

5. Sachi Paulomi (Rig Veda X .159.1 to 6)

6. Sikata Nivavari (Rig Veda IX 86.11 to 20)

Apart from the above mentioned female seers of Rig Veda, there are references to women like ....

1. Madhavi,

2. Mandhatri,

3. Kamayu,

4. Mamata,

5. Mudgalani,

6. Mena,

7. Vadhiman,

8. Sudevi,

9. Sinivali,

These women provide strong evidence of the existence of higher education of women in the Vedic Age.

Source ........The Position of Women in Hindu Civilization by A. S Altekar (1962) Motilal Banarsidass.

Position of Women in India by S. M. Mishra and Maharana Brada (1911) Longmans Green and Co.

Women in Ancient India by E. R. Mary Martin (1964) Chaukhambha Oriental Series

Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume XI IHRF page 528 to 529

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

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