The epic Indian mythological sagas have always depicted women characters as fragile and in need of saving. But there always existed the other side of these central female characters that we failed to see. Let’s uncover the elements of these mythological women’s stories and struggles under the light of modern-day feminism.
Feminism is talked about these days wherever we go, the right our women should get, what should she wear, how shall she be treated and a lot many such things are all falling under the category of feminism. What is feminism? It is merely strengthening the women to do as good as the males in the latter’s dominating society.
Recently, a story came forward which revealed that feminism might be a subject in the schools, so that the rights of women could be explained to the kids who come from different backgrounds, having varied interventions about the fairer sex.
Draupadi
Draupadi was always depicted as the victim in Mahabharata. Instead, she was the first fighter of #MeToo by calling out the Kauravas for her mistreatment. Not only this, she morally shamed her own husbands, the Pandavas, for treating her as an object to put a bet on.
Though the actual reason of Mahabharata was Pandavas avenging their wife’s humiliation, the narrative said something else. Draupadi’s beauty and her choice of having five men as husbands was portrayed as the reason behind the great- war.
For generations, people have overlooked the fierceness of Draupadi to stand her ground. She was no damsel in distress but a righteous woman who avenged her enemies. She vowed not to tie her hair unless she soaked them in the blood of people who wronged her. She was a true feminist who sought justice and rejected the idea of submitting herself to her fate.
Sita
Sita, the docile and chaste wife of Lord Rama who was abducted by the evil king, Ravana. Sita’s character portrayal in Ramayana remained one-dimensional. In spite of conventional representations of Sita in Ramayana and other mythological books, she was more than what meets the eye.
In the real sense, Sita is relevant in present times as a beacon of womanism. She was the one who never left her husband’s side. Yet, she chose to denounce him when she had to prove her “purity” to him and the world (a second time). She said “no”, even to the man she loved. Sita chose her honour and self-respect above unconditional love for her husband. She was independent and raised her two kids on her own.
Even during her time in Lanka, she remained strong-willed and didn’t give in to the wishes of Ravana. Sita was a real example of feminism as she had the strength to stand and walk alone when it comes to her self-worth.
The women mentioned were the true torchbearers of feminism among us, hidden behind the heroism of male characters. The dominance of male writers has underplayed their roles in Indian culture. But they were the ones, without whom, these greatest pieces of literature would not have existed.