“When I started practising Vedic chanting in the early 60’s,
this was still a privilege of men.
I remember asking my father several times:
Why men only? Why is it not offered to women as well?
What had been the rule for ages, was still applied those days.
A few years later, my father noticed that a growing number of women
showed some interest for this aspect of our ancient culture,
whereas men turned away from it.
The Brahman themselves,
who are traditionally the guardians of Vedic chanting,
were less and less interested.
Vedic chanting was declining and perhaps about to disappear.
According to our ancient laws, when circumstances are exceptional,
usual rules can be broken. A strict vegetarian, whose life is in danger,
can eat meat or fish, when nothing else is available.
Referring to these exceptional rules,
my father ordered that Vedic chanting should be made accessible not only to women,
but also to anyone willing to study, provided their commitment was sincere.”
– Extract from an interview with TKV Desikachar on Vedic Chanting