What Gargi really said

Shohreh Aghdashloo, an actress, fled Iran in 1978 to the West because her country refused space to a liberated woman. She was vilified. Now ...

Shohreh Aghdashloo, an actress, fled Iran in 1978 to the West because her country refused space to a liberated woman. She was vilified. Now that she8217;s been nominated for an Oscar, all of Iran is reportedly praying for her to win.

Makes you think, doesn8217;t it? Much as we love the poetry and music of Hinduism and the soul-heights scaled by the Upanishads, there8217;s no mistaking the terror of the pit between theory and praxis. There are no meaningful role models in scripture for everyday life in the new millennium. Nor can we relate to horseback heroines like Razia, Chand Bibi, Lakshmi Bai or Chennamma. Our enemies are on the street, at work or, God help us, at home: predators and judges. But the patriarchy, whatever its creed, has nothing to say about man8217;s evil eye. Instead, it scolds women, 8220;Bundle up! And shut up!8221;

Think of Rishini Gargi, daughter of Sage Vachaknu. Her famous run-in with Yajnavalkya is in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Gargi is the only woman in that whole audience gathered to debate existential issues. She stands up to ask Yajnavalkya questions. Follows all that warp-and-woof stuff about the nature of the universe and his famous snub, 8220;Don8217;t ask anymore or your head will burst.8221; But Gargi asks again, 8220;Yes, but what is the foundation of the Cause of all causes?8221; And Yajnavalkya8217;s smooth answer: 8220;The Supreme Absolute.8221;

So finally, Gargi says to the assembly: 8220;Brahmana bhagavantah, tad eva bahu manyedhvam yad asman namaskarena muchyedhvam; na vai jatu yusmakam imam kaschid brahmodyam jeteti8221;. 8216;Learned men, there is no use speaking further. It is enough to salute this man and depart. Nobody can best this man in an argument or speak like him and it seems there8217;s nothing he does not know. So why ask any more?8221; Saying which, she sits down.

Gargi8217;s questions appear to be about the larger universe. But in today8217;s space, don8217;t they seem to challenge the patriarchy: 8220;Why is it there? What holds it up? What is the basis of its existence? Why do you say it is 8216;eternal8217;, 8216;imperishable8217; and 8216;supreme8217;?8221;

Doesn8217;t it seem like a huge civilisational cover-up, a story too good to be left out by our thrifty rishis but with typical sleight-of-hand, converted into High Metaphysics? Because look at Yajnavalkya8217;s responses. First he hands out an insultingly simplistic answer. Next he stonewalls her with the threat that if she asks too much she8217;ll be killed. Finally, goaded, he lays it on the line: 8220;Too bad, Gargi, this is How It Is. This is the Order. You can8217;t mess with it, Gargi. Don8217;t even try.8221;

Gargi8217;s final bow then reads: 8220;Right, big boy. I get the message. And it stinks.8221;