‘Woman, unfortunately, has not been accepted equal to man in social or religious spheres of the World. In the West, Christians believe that only man (Adam) was created by God, Woman (Eve) was produced from the rib of Adam. In other words, woman isa part of man and not an independently created human being equal to man, Islam, too accepts the same myth regarding the creation of humanity, The Muslim law states that one male witness is equal to two female witnesses. A woman does not have the same freedom as a man for going to a mosque, that is why only men are seen praying in Mosques, A Muslim can have up to four wives at a time.
In the East the treatment given to a woman is equally bad if not worse, In Hindu culture, she is ‘considered an un-pious 8 incomplete human being, not entitled to wear the sacred Thread (Janju) which is obligatory for a male. Celibacy is regarded as virtue and a wife is regarded as an obstacle or a shackle for a man who wants to tread on the path God. Some saints consider it a sin to glance at a woman, They neither see a woman, nor want themselves to be seen by one.
In Hindu society male superiority is imposed upon females from their very birth till death. The birth ‘of a male child brings pleasure and happiness all around, If the new born baby is a female, a depression is visible in the mood of the family & friends. Those who go to wish the baby girl long life, end up consoling the parents for the “undesired” incident. If there are already one or two daughters, God is blamed for being cruel to the innocent couple for making another addition to their “worries.” If the newcomer is a boy, even if eleventh, he is welcomed with great rejoicing.
As a sister, she ties a “Rakhari” (Colorful thread) every year on the wrist of her brother who promises to protect her. That way she is made to feel weak and incapable of protecting herself. Asa daughter she is considered a great burden on the parents who have to spend lot of money on the dowry and her marriage. Consequently, the birth of a female is considered a decree against the parents. Many girls are known to have committed suicide to lighten the “burden” of their parents. She is not entitled to perform the last rites of her parents, Unless that responsibility is undertaken by a male issue according to the direction of the Brahmin’s, the souls of the parents cannot reach “heaven. ”Son is an asset and daughter a liability to the parents. That is why the parents want sons and not daughters to be born to them.
Asa wife, she is required to treat her husband even more than a God. To put briefly in term of the famous code of the military discipline husband to serve and die. A Wife has to keep fast on the prescribed days for the welfare of her husband and be at his command day & night, no male has ever kept a fast for the good health of his spouse.
In case a husband dies, the wife is supposed to burn herself alive (perform sati) on the pier of her husband to retain her virtues (this practice is illegal now, but once in ‘a while the news of Sati still is read in the newspaper). Virtuous Women are supposed not to remarry even if they become widows soon after their marriage. No such condition is laid for the male spouse. A woman is sometimes compared with a pair of shoes, to be kept in use only as long as the wearer (man) likes it, otherwise it can be discarded for’ a new one.
Nanak took exception to all this insult heaped upon the women folk. He strongly pleaded their case for equality & human rights. Pointing to the fact that kings, whom everybody respects, are born to women, Nanak asked why should they not be given due regards as mothers of kings, Itis a sin to call them inferior to man.
Nanak preached that all human beings, irrespective of their sex or the physical differences, have equal rights & equal status. He honored the women folk by extending welcome to them to participate in Sangat (Congregation for singing praises of God) and making them sit there as equal members. Every ‘woman is entitled to take “Amrit” and become an equal member of the Khalsa, the Corporate body of the Sikhs, she gets the confidence & feels capable of protecting herself rather than depending upon others.
Sikhism requires a woman not to keep fast because they are no ‘g00d to the husband or the brother. For the sake of good health, it suggests every person males and females alike, to always consume moderate food’ & never overeat, ‘One is welcome to miss a meal, not on a particular day, but whenever convenient, for physical benefit to the boy & of course, without expecting any spiritual benefit to anyone.
The practice of “Sati” is strictly prohibited in Sikh faith. A woman, as also a man, is permitted to remarry, and without any kind of guilty feeling, after the death of the spouse, no stigma is attached to the widow marriage, Sikh principle’s do not regard an unmarried man? Rather it ridicules the idea of their superiority by questioning its validity in the face of the fact that these people come to family men to beg food. Those who give food & donations cannot be rated inferior than those who receive these gifts to sustain their living. According to Sikh faith, the real “Tati” (celebrate) who can be considered religiously great is a person who loves his wife sincerely and never entertains any idea of adultery in his mind,
Further, Sikhism tells that it makes no difference to the departed whether the last rits are performed by son, daughter or none, One reaps the fruit of one’s Own actions done during one’s life on this earth.
Nanak thus attempted to retrieve the status & honor of women folk which was taken away by the male dominated society. Women of the world can take advantage of these efforts of Nanak to get rid of the slavery of man and claim their Tights as equal human beings.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 21, 1986
