http://ipsnews.
INDIA:
Women As Hindu Priests Have An Edge
Daksha Warty
PUNE, India, Nov 24 (IPS) - Defying Hindu orthodoxy and intolerant
male priests, women in Maharashtra state, western India, have revived
a Vedic tradition and become priests.
Approximately 700 women, most of them from Pune, a busy metropolis,
164-km south of Mumbai (previously Bombay), have undergone the
necessary training since the seventies, and many of them are
practicing.
"Women priests perform all kinds of rites - upanayana (thread
ceremony), adoption, engagement, marriage, remarriage, conversion,
reconversion, house warming, ancestor worship and last rites," says
Arya Joshi, 29, a researcher and instructor at the Pune-based Gyan
Prabhodini.
Arya told IPS that researchers at the institute are working on
simplifying the rites and rituals of the Hindu dharmashastra (code of
conduct including moral and social obligations)
"The institution is addressing the spiritual needs of the progressive
Hindu who wants to break away from difficult ritualistic offerings,"
she says.
As priests, the women challenge many stereotypes including caste.
Training is open to women from all castes (Brahmins claim they are the
only priestly caste), and whether they are single, married, widowed or
divorced.
"Our society never asks a male priest whether he is a widower or a
divorcee, or single. He conducts the prayers and rituals. So why
should women be treated differently,
was introduced to Hindu theology by her father, a preacher.
Sunanda Joshi, 64, is a multi-lingual priest. She conducts pujas
(prayers) in Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi. She says that her early
years were hard, as she had to constantly prove herself. Now, although
a widow, she is one of the most sought after women priests in Pune.
She observes a change, over the years, in people's expectations and
wants. Many Hindus now prefer to keep the religious rites and rituals
short, she says. Also, there's a new concern for the environment -
people do not want 'havans' or 'yagnas' where firewood has to be
burnt. "They don't want to waste wood nor do they want to create
smoke," she says.
In addition, at some of the marriages she has conducted, brides have
refused to wear the mangalsutra (a pendant worn on a gold chain or
thread to symbolise marriage), she says, because there are no such
equivalent ritualistic demands on men. "The girls feel that husbands
too must have such customs," she says.
Historically the earliest mention of women participating in
ritualistic offerings or Brahmavadinis (those who interpret the
scriptures) is in the Rig Veda (between 3300 and 1300 BC, in chapters
5.28 and 10.125). There were 27 Brahmavadinis, who performed rituals
and were also acharyas (teachers).
"At the Prabhodini we encourage everyone to participate and read from
the text. A copy of the chants is given to everyone," says Arya who is
working towards a doctorate on the concept of shraddha (charity) in
last rite rituals.
So, does the Hindu laity think a woman priest is different to the
traditional male priest? "Women priests are very committed," writes
Mahesh Madhukar Prabhudesai who hosted a prayer recently, in a letter
of appreciation to the Prabhodini. "They explain all the (steps)
offerings during the pujas."
Girish Manohar Mokashi who had a woman priest conduct his mother's
last rites says, "The eleventh day rituals were performed. It was a
very satisfying and a noble experience. The rituals were explained to
us. All (the) family members were made a part of the rituals. We thank
the priest for making us feel very close and one with our mother."
A priest has to be fluent in Sanskrit to be able to interpret the
rituals to worshippers.
Madhuri Karvade recalls the most difficult part of her training was
mastering Sanskrit. She told IPS: "It took me nine years to learn and
pronounce the words in Sanskrit. I tried hard specially for the last
rites. An old lady was so impressed that she has fixed my services for
her last rites!"
What is the reaction of male priests to the invasion of their
territory by women?
"It appears we (male priests) are not doing our job properly," says a
defensive Rajesh Khodke, 32, a journalist-turned-
rector of the boys hostel at Gyan Prabhodini, which is located off
Tilak Road in the city. "Only women priests are grabbing attention. We
too want to be noticed," he complains.
Pradeep Deo, 55, who previously worked in a pharmacy, feels that too
much is being made of the women priests. "Whether male or female, we
just have to do our job," he says.
Male priests still dominate the profession. "Societal attitudes are
changing towards us, but the process is slow," observes Arya.
According to Sunanda, whose 42-year-old divorced daughter is training
to be a priest, the few times there has been scepticism about her
capabilities, it has been from women. "When we are approached by
families, everything goes well till the lady of the house sees us and
says a polite no!"
"Women priests are committed and their expertise in conducting the
pujas is widely acknowledged,
choice (after male priests), something that is going to take a long
while to change." (END/2009)
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