Saha vs Sama Concept of Equality in Sanatan Dharma

The concept of Equality as per Sanatan Dharma - Sama vs Saha
Source : http://bharathgyanblog.wordpress.com/page/2/

Sama vs Saha

The equality was not limited by the word “equal” but went beyond that into the realms of bringing out the best of the innate capability of each gender.

In a couple, the woman is even today known as Sahadharmini, meaning one who is not just equal but complementary in carrying out their role of Dharma. There is a subtle essence conveyed in the usage of the words here.

The word used for equal is Sama, whereas in the relationship between husband and wife it has been referred to as Saha, implyingco, together, complement. This is because, the ancients, both the women and the men realised that by nature and by biological capacity, each gender has an innate strength and hence role to play in the sustenance of Nature and mankind, called Dharma.

In this role play, one gender is not superior or inferior to another, causing the other gender to fight or claim for equality. Each gender is complementary to the other, based on their natural capability, capacity and role.

The Indian thought went one step further and also depicted the divine couple Shiva and Parvati, in a human form of a man and woman complementing each other in the form of Ardhanari, ie. half woman. This would reemphasize and reiterate to common man on a daily basis the essence of the role of the man and woman as they hold the society together.

Ardhanari

This knowledge of this land through the ages, kept reinforcing the focus on saha, to be complementary and not just sama, equal.