All souls are parts of God only; they take different bodies according to the karmas or deeds done by them in their previous lives. Some get male bodies and others female, explains AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI

What is the basis for me to make such a statementIJ I will quote from the Bhagavad Gita and also give a practical example. From the Gita, we learn that knowledge by which one is able to see one undivided imperishable reality, which is the soul in all beings, that knowledge is the proper knowledge. (18.20) And all these souls are parts of God only. (15.7) These souls take different bodies according to the karmas (deeds) done by them in their previous lives. Some get male bodies and others female.

Birth either as a male or a female does not make one superior or inferior. What really differentiates them is what that they do; how useful they are; what contributions they make to their societies, nations, etc. Neither a male body nor a female body is a hindrance to being a high class human being. Weaknesses such as having prejudices, a sense of discrimination between various bodies, etc is.

Now the practical example. One male model began to feel increasingly like a woman though he was in a male’s body. Not satisfied with this state, he underwent gender reassignment surgery and became a female model. What changedIJ Some bodily changes were made surgically and the same soul turned from a man to a woman. Did the person really become differentIJ No, the body did; soul didn’t, because soul has no gender. God has created two types of human bodies, ie of a female and of a male. Even in one body, they undergo vast changes from a toddler to an old man. Does the person or the soul changeIJ No, he or she remains the same person or soul.

Then, why is there discrimination between a male and a female from time immemorialIJ Yes, males are generally stronger physically but does this make them superiorIJ Many animal species are much stronger than human beings but do we consider them superiorIJ No, we don’t. Then, why are women being forced to call themselves actors being actressesIJ Does the tag of actor make them any differentIJ What will we do with the term heroineIJ Can we call female actresses heroesIJ Does this thinking not take us to being ridiculousIJ

However, the fact remains that discrimination against women has been practised even in ancient societies. They were limited to mostly doing household works. Even in the middle ages, this pattern continued with some improvement; women were allowed to become nuns and do trade. Fundamental changes began in the Renaissance when rights of individuals were begun to be respected. Women were allowed to work outside their homes. In the 19th century, women began to form many kinds of groups, especially in the USA and Britain. Equal rights were sought and educational and political barriers slowly gave way. The right to vote came in the early 20th century in the Western countries.

In short, women have fought for their rights and men have grudgingly agreed to accept that they are not inferior to men. However, the present scenario is far from being perfect even though we are living in a modern era with great connectivity whether in social or other terms. In today’s India, the average salary gap between men and women is as much as 67 per cent.

It is really surprising because God has made both men and women equal with men having some qualities and uses and women some other qualities and uses. And men and women complement one another. Both are essential for any society to functions. It is time that both men and women are seen as persons. Even children should be seen as persons and not extensions of parents. This parity must be accepted at the philosophical level. Only then, the world will progress properly. Just to put some humour in this serious article some male chauvinists may get born in a woman’s body in the next life. Time has come to wake up and give women what is due to them. A soul has no gender and must be treated as a person only.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com