In the western world women have been playing a second-fiddle to men, in mythology as well as in history. It is unknown in Semitic sects that a woman has been worshipped independently for her own qualities. i.e. even in the Christian Mythology, in case of Mary, she has only been revered as the "Mother" of Jesus, and not independently before the conception of "Son of God".
In the West, one rarely finds works extolling the virtue of women and reverence to them. There seems to be a dearth of information on women Role Models who are equated or elevated to the stature of a goddess let alone Goddess (with a Capital G) so much so that even the Mariam Webster's dictionary fails to have an entry for "Goddess" (with an upper-case G).
Indian culture and tradition don the other hand does not consider women as "objects" to be ritualistically worshipped, not does it sideline women to being mere wall-flowers who watch life pass by them. Women have always played and active and *important* role in the Indian society. The Scriptures have 'Suktas' specially for women Goddesses like Shri Suktam, Neela Suktam, Bhu Suktam etc. The most exalted of all Mantras - The Gayatri Mantra - is also addressed to the Mother of Vedas, Veda Matha Gayatri. Thus we see that for all it's hypocrisy, the west has to be satisfied with a Ruth or a Mary as compared to the Hindu Women who were very valorous, highly knowledgeable, extremely compassionate, and undoubtedly Strong Willed women who were Self-empowered.
The Upanishads and the epics address women by the epithet "Fire". The purity and chastity of a woman in Indian culture was something even the gods would be afraid of. Anasuya (Atri's wife), and Sita (Rama's wife) are examples of this. A Hindu who is faithful to his traditions would not look upon any woman except his wife with lust. Thanks to modern influence this outlook is slowly eroding away the Hindu mind.
Here are some women who are role models for all women.
*) Lalita Mahatripura Sundari. (Supreme Goddess who is even higher than Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra.)
1) Sita. (Intelligence, Self-determination, and courage.)
2) Savitri. (Self Determination and intelligence.)
3) Anasuya. (For her humility, and extreme power.)
4) Satyabhama. (Valour.)
5) Lopamudra (composer/contributor of Rig Veda.)
6) Vakh Ambrini (composer/contributor of Rig Veda.)
While the above list is only a sample, there are innumerable examples of women who have been revered by Hindus that it is impossible to list them all here.
In the West, one rarely finds works extolling the virtue of women and reverence to them. There seems to be a dearth of information on women Role Models who are equated or elevated to the stature of a goddess let alone Goddess (with a Capital G) so much so that even the Mariam Webster's dictionary fails to have an entry for "Goddess" (with an upper-case G).
Indian culture and tradition don the other hand does not consider women as "objects" to be ritualistically worshipped, not does it sideline women to being mere wall-flowers who watch life pass by them. Women have always played and active and *important* role in the Indian society. The Scriptures have 'Suktas' specially for women Goddesses like Shri Suktam, Neela Suktam, Bhu Suktam etc. The most exalted of all Mantras - The Gayatri Mantra - is also addressed to the Mother of Vedas, Veda Matha Gayatri. Thus we see that for all it's hypocrisy, the west has to be satisfied with a Ruth or a Mary as compared to the Hindu Women who were very valorous, highly knowledgeable, extremely compassionate, and undoubtedly Strong Willed women who were Self-empowered.
The Upanishads and the epics address women by the epithet "Fire". The purity and chastity of a woman in Indian culture was something even the gods would be afraid of. Anasuya (Atri's wife), and Sita (Rama's wife) are examples of this. A Hindu who is faithful to his traditions would not look upon any woman except his wife with lust. Thanks to modern influence this outlook is slowly eroding away the Hindu mind.
Here are some women who are role models for all women.
*) Lalita Mahatripura Sundari. (Supreme Goddess who is even higher than Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra.)
1) Sita. (Intelligence, Self-determination, and courage.)
2) Savitri. (Self Determination and intelligence.)
3) Anasuya. (For her humility, and extreme power.)
4) Satyabhama. (Valour.)
5) Lopamudra (composer/contributor of Rig Veda.)
6) Vakh Ambrini (composer/contributor of Rig Veda.)
While the above list is only a sample, there are innumerable examples of women who have been revered by Hindus that it is impossible to list them all here.