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`Pumsatvam’ ? Are women debarred from vedic study?


 `Pumsatvam’ ? Are women debarred from vedic study?

`Pumsatvam’ means masculine temperament of an individual irrespective of gender.  Firmness of determination, detachment, intellectual capacity, steadfastness in composure is the qualities of Pumsatvam. Pumsatvam is not a reference to the body but to an intellect. One who has the intellect that is free of the attachments and sentiments which affects and blunts its sharpness and twists the power of reasoning. 
In the context of spirituality manhood means moral courage, mental strength, steadfastness pursuit, stubborn will to move along the spiritual path. 
If we can find these qualities in any individual irrespective of gender he or she is considered as human being of Pumsatvam.  
 Women are not debarred from vedic studies. Vedantic scriptures are full of references to women being both students as well as teachers.  Maitreyi was the student of sage Yajnavalkya, her own husband. Kapila muni taught his mother Devahuti .  Gargi was another vedantic scholar who questioned Yajnavalkya in a scholarly meeting.  Chudala taught brahma vidya to her husband Sikhidwaja.  There are too many examples for wise women in Indian Scriptures.  These great ladies added flavor to Vedic truths. They became models for humanity. Though women are physically weak, they are equally wise to their counterparts.  

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