By Swami Harshananda
Out of the 27 brahmavādinis (women seers) mentioned in the Ṛgveda, Ghoṣā is also one of them. Two entire hymns of the tenth maṇḍala are her contribution. Her grandfather was the sage Dīrgha-tamas and Kakṣīvān was her father.
Ghoṣā was a victim of a fell disease because of which she had to remain in her father’s house unmarried. As she was getting older, she decided to pray to the twin gods, the Aśvins, who were known as divine physicians endowed with the power of rejuvenation. The hymns 39 and 40 of the tenth maṇḍala are her prayers to them. Pleased with her earnest entreaties, the Aśvins granted her youth and a worthy husband. Her son Suhāsya is the ṛṣi or the sage of the 41st hymn.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore