Ramayana and Mahabharata are considered as the two important epics of Indian Mythology. Women in Ramayana and Mahabharata played a very major role in inspiring today’s women.
INTRODUCTION:
Usually, each and every child is told the Ramayana and Mahabharata as a lesson to be learned. The history of the Hindu Mythology is very rich and they were generally created to give moral ideas.
The stories of Hindu gods were conveyed to the people in the form of poetic epics. We have the story of Ramayana, which perfectly describes the life of God Rama. It describes his life, how he was born in Ayodhya and how he got victory over Ravana. The epics speak the virtue of love, brotherhood, hatred, sacrifices and many more. The longest epic ever written is considered as Mahabharata. It was a major source for the Rise of Hinduism between 400 BC and 200 AD. It highlights the fight of Kauravas and Pandavas.
From the beginning till the end, it describes the fight between brothers and a great battle arose between them. Hindu mythology basically states that each and every human being passes through a cycle of creation and destruction. It also provides us with exact information about the creation of the universe. Hindus as well as non Hindus get very much fascinated by the story of epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The epics provide us with very ideal characters like Rama, Lakshamana, Sita, Bharata, Pandavas, etc. the situation of women during the time of these epics has its pros as well as cons. We have many great female characters such as Sita, Kaikeyi, Draupadi, Mandodari, etc, but despite being great, they faced various issues because of society’s mindset. We all are very well aware of Sita’s agnipariksha, and Draupadi’s cheerharan.Â
We have various confusing views about the condition of women in Indian Mythology. Women had to go through Sati pratha. Eight kinds of Marriage, Dowry system etc. Hindu mythology has very divine feminine.
1)WOMEN DURING RAMAYANA
The time of Ramayana was considered as one of the most important times during the whole history. Women were misunderstood and they were generally misrepresented because we had a patriarchal society. We can study about the position of women from the three main and important aspects i.e.
- Maidenhood
- Wifehood
- Motherhood
During vedic period, women were generally treated equally to the men. They had the right to education but during the later vedic period, the whole scenario and condition changed as women were considered inferior and they were generally objectified. Parents never wanted a girl to take birth in their family.
They always wished for a boy child. When a boy takes birth it is always celebrated and the birth of a girl is always resented. Instead of showing gratitude to god, the family generally criticized them. The Ramayana was written by Maharishi Valmiki and it narrated the life story of Rama and his love story with Sita.
2) WOMEN DURING MAHABHARATA
Women were as free as men in Rigveda society. Boys as well as had the equality of getting proper education. Veda and fine arts were the subjects studied by girls. The Purdah system was not followed. They were free to select their life partner but they were not allowed to demand divorce.
The name used for them was ‘Ardhangini’. Women were considered to be superior to male in the field of domestic life. At home, they generally did the art of spinning and weaving clothes. Shares were given to unmarried daughters in their Father’s property. After the death of the Father, equal shares were given to the Daughter as well as Mother.
There were various rights for widowed mothers. Males were not allowed to participate in any religious ceremony without their wives.
Hence, we can make a conclusion that during Vedic period, Women were considered equal to men. Women during Mahabharata were under the guidance of men and they enjoyed an adequate amount of freedom and rights. Women during Mahabharata were educated. We have an example of Kunti, she was well aware of how to use the mantras of Atharva veda .
3) TREATMENT OF WOMEN BY MEN IN MAHABHARAT AND RAMAYANA
Sita and Draupadi are considered as the two main and very important female characters from Ramayana and Mahabharata. They are considered as the wives of the gods like kings. Their stories revolve around how men treated women during that time.
Sita, the wife of Lord Rama had to suffer a lot even though Ram loved her a lot. She leaves her luxuries and without any doubt follows her husband’s
Path. We can perfectly relate submissiveness with Sita’s name. She had to go
Through Agnipariksha and when asked again to do so, she denied as she was fed up with the society’s norms and beliefs.
We can clearly say that the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata had a patriarchal society in which women were respected but they were under the guidance of men. Draupadi was the wife of five pandavas.
She represents the case of polyandry in Indian Mythology.
4) ARE WE STILL LIVING IN THE AGE OF RAMAYANA AND MAHABHARATA
The respect Rama, Bharat, Lakshamana, shatrughan and Pandavas had for their Mother and Father: We are taught to respect our elders. Each and every child is taught about moral values and ethics. Ramayana and Mahabharata are such epics, which gives us great moral lessons. Today’s generation respects their elders and they know how to behave in a proper way except for a few.
Draupadi’s Cheerharan: We all know about Draupadi’s Cheerharan. It is a very famous and inspiring story. At that time, Lord Krishna helped her and in today’s generation, Rape is a worldwide issue and it is not limited to one nation. Just like we know about Draupadi’s Cheer haran, similarly we all are very well aware about Nirbhaya’s gangrape. This is one of the major challenges which is faced by women. It is a social issue and we are still trying to figure out an adequate solution for this.
Niyog System: Niyog system is the process of bearing a child without husband’s involvement. Kunti and Madri gave birth to the Pandavas with this Niyog System. If we talk about today, the Niyog system is not common nowadays but today’s generation follows the idea of the Test tube baby method and various other methods in which husbands are not required.
The situation of women during Mahabharata was much better than the situation of Women during Ramayana. . Males were not allowed to participate in any religious ceremony without their wives.
Hence, we can make a conclusion that during Vedic period, Women were considered equal to men. They were generally under guidance and under supervision of their husbands. We know about Sita’s agnipariksha, Draupadi’s cheerharan. We all are very much inspired by the great stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
India is one of the countries that has worst cases of horrific rape and violence against women. Hence, we can say that we are still living in the age of Ramayana and Mahabharata where women are asked to take care of all the household work
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