VARN?A VIDY?

Book excerpt: Did women in ancient Bh?rat recite the Veda-s, perform agnihotra and wear the yajñopav?ta? Who were R?s?ika-s, Brahmav?dini-s and Yogin?’s, and how did they attain that state? Why are the rules of religious practices similar for women and the ??dra var?a? Can women and the ??dra var?a officiate as temple arcaka-s, and how would this impact them and the temple? Var?a Vidy? provides answers to all those who wish to know the science behind the dharma?a?stra rules for women and the ??dra var?a. Going beyond the sociological understanding of var?a based on j?ti-gu?a-karma, this book takes a deep dive into the biological basis of var?a dharma to answer questions about women and the ??dra var?a, especially in the context of religious practices. More than 100 sa?sk?tam verses from smr?ti-s (Manu, Y?jñavalkya, Par??ara, etc.), the Bhagvad G?t?, ?r?mad Bh?gavatam, Upanis?ad-s and Tantra texts have been covered in this work, revealing their subtle meaning. Several published studies and modern scientific theories have also been included to ease the understanding of the present generation. The book not only answers burning questions of the present time but also explains the science behind the spiritual path prescribed for women and the ??dra var?a. In the process of decoding the rules for women and the ??dra var?a, the science of var?a dharma itself stands revealed as an unintended consequence.