Kaurageous
From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come…From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all.
- Guru Nanak, Raag Aasaa Mehal 1, Page 473
Today is International Women’s Day, a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. In celebration of this day, I wanted to take the time to recognize the contributions that women have made to Sikhi. Sikh history records the names of several of these women such as Mai Bhago, Mata Sundari, Rani Sahib Kaur, Rani Sada Kaur and Maharani Jind Kaur who played a leading role in the events of their time and left their imprint on our history. In the tumultuous decades of the eighteenth century when Sikhs went through fierce persecution, Sikh women displayed exemplary resoluteness. Their deeds of heroism and sacrifice are to this day recounted in our Ardas,
Those women who sacrificed for truth, suffering through hunger and pain at the hand of the enemy, but never gave up their faith and determination to live according to Sikh Dharma with all their hair to their last breath.” [Link]
While this post is brief, I hope it allows us to take a moment to revere the enormous contributions women have made to our history and the, often unrecognized, inspiration they provide to many of us today.
4 Responses to “Kaurageous”
By kprincess on Mar 8, 2008 at 4:26 pm | Quote
I don’t think anything has ever made me feel more important or worthy as a woman, and I mean solely as a woman, than those verses. When I read them, they lift all the burden imposed upon my shoulders by our this society, whether it be east or west. Oh, the power of prayer . . .
By sonny on Mar 9, 2008 at 12:13 pm | Quote
thanks for this post! let us use sikh philosophy to guide us in continuing to fight the sexism that still pervades our communities in so many ways…
By Abinaash on Mar 10, 2008 at 7:20 pm | Quote
I have to admit, I did not expect this blog to address International Womens Day, not out of spite but more so out of lack of acknowledgment (in general) seeing that the only blogs I know that have discussed it are feminist ones.
So on that note, Thanks for the post =)
By what's in a name on Mar 11, 2008 at 6:42 am | Quote
I think it’s important to remember the sacrifices that women made throughout history and it is important to praise them. It is however wrong to expect women to continue making sacrifices in order to be considered worthy of praise.
I would like to write so much more about this post - I have little time. I hope to come back and finish my comment(s).