women during the vedic period enjoyed equal status with men in all aspects of life. works by ancient indian grammarians such as patanjali and katyayana suggest that women were educated in the early vedic period. rig vedic verses suggest that women married at a mature age and were probably free to select their own husbands in a practice called swayamvar or live-in relationship called gandharva marriage. the rig veda and upanishads mention several women sages and seers, notably gargi vachaknavi and maitreyi (c. 7th century bce).