Yogi Ashwini

A woman is an embodiment of shakti, pure energy. It is this shakti from which the entire creation derives its strength and stimulus. The magnitude of this energy is beyond measure. The entire creation had manifested from the womb of Mata Adi Shakti. A woman, through her perseverance, can achieve the infinite as was exhibited by Goddess Parvati when she won Lord Shiva as her husband.

Our ancients acknowledged this and hence in the Vedic times women were given highest regard. There is a Vedic saying, “Where women are worshipped, there the gods dwell”. In fact, Manusmriti explains: “A woman must be honoured and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands and brothers-in-law, who desire their own welfare. Where women are honoured, there the gods are pleased; but where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards. The houses in which female relations are not being duly honoured... perish completely, as if destroyed by magic”.
The fate of Ravana was ordained when he dared to disgrace a woman. Ravana met Vedavati at her hermitage, where she had been performing penance with the intention of winning Lord Vishnu as her husband. He proposed to her, but was rejected. He then attempted to molest her by pulling her hair. Incensed by the insult, Vedavati cut her hair and entered the blazing fire, promising that she would be reborn to aid the destruction of Ravana. It was she who was born again as Sita, and was the moving cause for Ravana’s death, though Rama was the agent.
The famous statement, “Behind every successful man there is a woman” only goes on to emphasise the Vedic thought of evolution through the union of Shiv-Shakti. Jesus received his gyan from Mother Mary. It was Jijabai who nurtured the heroic Shivaji with values to fight a battle of righteousness. Kalidasa became a renowned scholar only after rejection from his learned wife and subsequent sadhana of Goddess Kali. It was support from wife Hillary that helped former US President Bill Clinton keep his seat despite public outrage. Time and again women have transcended human limitations to become the epitome of love and detachment — Mirabai, courage and determination, Lakshmibai, chastity and loyalty. As Sati they exhibited extraordinary sacrifice, as Savitri they outwitted death.
However, history is also proof that wherever there has been discord between Shiv and Shakti, it has bred devolution. It was only when Sita decided to cross the Lakshman Rekha that Ravana abducted her. Sati had to immolate herself because she did not pay heed to Shiva’s advice to not go for the yajna that her father was performing. It was Duryodhan’s disregard for mother Gandhari’s instruction to be completely unclad that paved the way for his defeat.
In today’s heyday of negativity, the discord between the two forces has taken the form of greater evils. Sexual harassment, female infanticide, gender bias, inequality of opportunity, dowry and oppression have impregnated the modern society. As the saying goes, “What you sow, so shall you reap” — there is a draught of love, forgiveness and sacrifice and the world today is contaminated with cowardice, treachery and greed.
It is our responsibility as a society to channelise this shakti that we are blessed with in the form of a woman in a conducive manner for the larger good. Only then can we harness the physical strength of the likes of P.T. Usha and Bachendri Pal, or the creativity of Lata Mangeshkar and Amrita Pritam; the boundless love of Mother Teresa or the power and courage exuded by Kiran Bedi and Sarojini Naidu.

— Yogi Ashwini is an authority on yoga, tantra and the Vedic sciences. He is the guiding light of Dhyan Foundation. He has recently written a book, Sanatan Kriya: 51 Miracles... And a Haunting. Contact him at dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com