"As an Indian-born American scientist, I would answer...Ms. Gargi. I am fascinated by Ms. Gargi of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad in Sanskrit Vedic literature for her knowledge, courage and confidence. Known as a “natural philosopher,” this woman scientist attended the famous “Combating Debate of Ancient India,” in which Mr. Yajnavalkya, the outstanding scholar and teacher of the time, had to face questions from the assembled gathering of scholars of that time. In a male-dominated gathering, she participated in the scholarly debates and she showed the courage to speak out. Without any pretentious modesty, she challenged the pre-eminent scholar and teacher, Mr. Yajnavalkya with two very specific scientific questions and she was so confident about her knowledge and questions that she courageously said to the attendees that if Mr. Yajnavalkya could answer her questions, then none of the attendees could ever defeat Mr. Yajnavalkya in expounding the nature of God. To know what Ms. Gargi’s questions were, I hope you read more about this woman scientist...and you get to know her...better as well."
March is Women's History Month. To celebrate and honor women, I'm posting a different woman's photograph each day during March and on into April.
