The more I read about the women in Hindu mythology, the more it astounds me. I am not only intrigued by the fact that these women achieved remarkable feats on account of their, intelligence, leadership, indomitable courage and exemplary assertion of individuality, I am also shocked to realize how in due course of time Indian women scripted their own denigration by allowing sexual objectification, mental and physical humiliation and stunting their spiritual growth.I am shocked to see that in the land of Satyavati, who by her sheer wit and assertiveness, ensured that the most celebrated dynasty of India had her blood in its veins, women vie for position or power, not on account of their virtues but of their gender.
When I look into history, I find Shakuntala, the beautiful forest maiden, who fell in love with a king, broke the societal norms of marriage and submitted herself to what later turned out to be deceit. After 12 years of raising her son alone, when she finally goes to claim her son's rightful place in the King's palace, she is abused by the man she trusted blindly. Her pride is hurt and so is her faith. She rebukes at the king stating that she had never wanted anything for herself. Here, we see a woman's strength of character where after hearing words of extreme abuses, she calls the king a 'fool', but not before apologizing for the same and summoning the Gods who testify her truthfulness, making the King bow down.
I also find Ahalya, the beautiful wife of Gautam rishi, cursed for being deceived by a God! And she accepts the curse with stoic silence, no protests, no justification. A world where curses were bestowed with such a sheer lack of judgement, was not worthy of her words.
I find Draupadi, ensuring that the entire Kaurava dynasty was reduced to ashes, to avenge her humiliation. I wonder what it is being forced to marry five men in the name of keeping someone's ' word ', and showering equal love to all of them throughout her life. She is repaid by a spineless Yudhishtir gambling her away in a game of dice, her five husbands not uttering a single word of protest when her pride, her dignity was being shred to pieces in front of a court of 'intellectuals' and 'warriors'. What an irony that a woman had to turn to God, after being disappointed by the 'greatest' men of her times!
One might ask why am I not citing examples of women who immortalised motherhood and those who have been worshipped as epitomes of love and sacrifice. Perhaps, they have been celebrated enough. For once I hope we recognise and appreciate the women who shone as individuals, not as mothers, wives and daughters.
When I look into history, I find Shakuntala, the beautiful forest maiden, who fell in love with a king, broke the societal norms of marriage and submitted herself to what later turned out to be deceit. After 12 years of raising her son alone, when she finally goes to claim her son's rightful place in the King's palace, she is abused by the man she trusted blindly. Her pride is hurt and so is her faith. She rebukes at the king stating that she had never wanted anything for herself. Here, we see a woman's strength of character where after hearing words of extreme abuses, she calls the king a 'fool', but not before apologizing for the same and summoning the Gods who testify her truthfulness, making the King bow down.
I also find Ahalya, the beautiful wife of Gautam rishi, cursed for being deceived by a God! And she accepts the curse with stoic silence, no protests, no justification. A world where curses were bestowed with such a sheer lack of judgement, was not worthy of her words.
I find Draupadi, ensuring that the entire Kaurava dynasty was reduced to ashes, to avenge her humiliation. I wonder what it is being forced to marry five men in the name of keeping someone's ' word ', and showering equal love to all of them throughout her life. She is repaid by a spineless Yudhishtir gambling her away in a game of dice, her five husbands not uttering a single word of protest when her pride, her dignity was being shred to pieces in front of a court of 'intellectuals' and 'warriors'. What an irony that a woman had to turn to God, after being disappointed by the 'greatest' men of her times!
"नारी ने सुर को टेरा जिस दिन निराश हो नर से"
I bow to the remarkable courage with which Draupadi garnered her shattered self and scripted the destiny of ages to come.One might ask why am I not citing examples of women who immortalised motherhood and those who have been worshipped as epitomes of love and sacrifice. Perhaps, they have been celebrated enough. For once I hope we recognise and appreciate the women who shone as individuals, not as mothers, wives and daughters.
