Ancient Quote by Wendy Doniger
“Women were forbidden to study the most ancient sacred text, the Veda,”
About This Quote
Source Book: Women and the Vedas, Wendy Doniger, 2009
Historically, women were barred from accessing the Vedas, reflecting gender-based exclusion in ancient religious scholarship.
In simple terms: Women were not allowed to study the Vedas.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge gender barriers in education.
Themes
gender inequality
education
religion
history
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic curricula
- religious institutions
- policy reform
- gender studies
Key Concepts
patriarchal tradition
cultural exclusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How have modern institutions addressed this exclusion?
- What impact does this history have on contemporary gender roles?
A Different Perspective
Exclusion was often justified by cultural norms, not inherent incapacity.
![“As the Tawrat [Torah], the Zabur [The Psalms of David], the Injil [Gospel] and the Quran are divine books, the Veda [written in about 1200 B.C.] also has divine elements in it. For example, just like the Bible [in the book of Isaiah, chapter 29, verse 12], there is prophesy in the Veda [in…” quote by Md. Ziaul Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/405/md-ziaul-haque-14668_bible_as-the-tawrat-torah-the-zabur-the-psalms_390765.jpg)
