That women were treated on par is a tribute by itself. Christianity regards women as a growth from Adam's rib; most islamic nations officially treat them as second citizens (4 women's testimony = 1 man's).
In stark contrast stands the sanskrit name for wife -- Ardhangini or half my human self -- indicating complete equality.
I suppose "ardhangini" comes from the idea of "Ardhanaareeswara" - "Ardhanaareeswara, formed by the fusion of Shiva and Shakthi in one body, each occupying one half of the body, denoting that one is incomplete without the other."
What it points to isnt "equality" in the sense of "egalitarian" (equal rights/opportunties, etc).
The equality implied by ardhangini is that the one half without the other, is incomplete. Man and wife complement each other.
Shiva and Shakthi complement each other. One half cannot function without the other.
I am not sure i understand what you're trying to say. Fully agree with the one being indivisible (on a side note, that is what "adwait" refers to).
The point i was trying to make is a subtle one, and that is, in hindu philosophy, in union (mental or physical) the woman is acknowledged as being a full half of the one (i know that sounds trite).
This is in stark contrast with the concept of union in other cultures -- where two become one, but the relative importance of the two may vary. This ambiguity does not exist in the term ardhangini indicating complete parity in the relationship.
3 comments:
Rajeev
"Relatively" is not required.
That women were treated on par is a tribute by itself. Christianity regards women as a growth from Adam's rib; most islamic nations officially treat them as second citizens (4 women's testimony = 1 man's).
In stark contrast stands the sanskrit name for wife -- Ardhangini or half my human self -- indicating complete equality.
_
I suppose "ardhangini" comes from
the idea of "Ardhanaareeswara" -
"Ardhanaareeswara, formed by the fusion of Shiva and Shakthi in one body, each occupying one half of the body, denoting that one is incomplete without the other."
What it points to isnt "equality"
in the sense of "egalitarian"
(equal rights/opportunties, etc).
The equality implied by ardhangini
is that the one half without the
other, is incomplete. Man and wife
complement each other.
Shiva and Shakthi complement each
other. One half cannot function
without the other.
_
Virat0
I am not sure i understand what you're trying to say.
Fully agree with the one being indivisible (on a side note, that is what "adwait" refers to).
The point i was trying to make is a subtle one, and that is, in hindu philosophy, in union (mental or physical) the woman is acknowledged as being a full half of the one (i know that sounds trite).
This is in stark contrast with the concept of union in other cultures -- where two become one, but the relative importance of the two may vary.
This ambiguity does not exist in the term ardhangini indicating complete parity in the relationship.
Post a Comment