SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN SRI AUROBINDO’S THOUGHT: A NEW FEMINIST ETHOS

Abstract

Political, economic and social discussions on the concept of women empowerment have made significant discussions but the aspect of spiritual empowerment has not received much discussion. Being one of the greatest Indian philosophers and spiritual visionaries, Sri Aurobindo saw a comprehensive revolution of human consciousness in which the liberation of women is an ethical and cosmic necessity. His philosophy combines spiritual progression of humankind and recognition of woman as a conscious, dynamic and equal agent of the divine revelation. This paper picks Sri Aurobindo on the issue of spiritual empowerment of women within the new feminist ethos that is beyond equality and aims at a harmonious interaction between the genders. The paper examines the philosophical background of his vision, the reinterpretation of the meaning of empowerment and how it applies in relation to the feminist movement today.