This article is based on talks given by Devdutt Patnaik in his TEDx Speech...
The beauty of Hindu mythology is that you are allowed to 'create' your own interpretation and bequeath them to others.
Think about it, each person has different ideas and notions generated by his/her own thought process. This means each and every time a different whole new perspective on the same old issue.
But, there is a central problem with India that there are more reviews than views available.
How does the concept of womanhood from Hindu scriptures stand in the 21st century India and what does it hold for India we looking to in the future?
Conjecture this, Hindu mythology talks about women, no doubt. Kali & Lakshmi give you different thoughts. Kali stands on top of Shiva, her husband, while Lakshmi is at the feet of her husband.
So, two notions, but how are we trained to see this?
The latter is a subservient woman while the former the more powerful.
So, what does the idea of womanhood in ancient Hindu land say? This article explores that based on a talk given by the world-famous Indian historian Devdutt Patnaik.
One thing that struck me was in his talk, Pattanaik, says about Ardhanareeshwra, that he is half a woman, that is the god is half the goddess. Now a question surfaces- is the goddess half the God?
Pattanaik leaves that to the listeners.
Which is the first Ramayana, Devdutt is asked. He says that it is the one the mother says to her child that is the most powerful Ramayana the child will ever hear. She incorporates her own views, prejudices, etc. and presents mélange to the child.
Should all women idolize Sita? To be a perfect woman, a perfect wife, daughter and mother? Yes, only if men will be like Rama. Only then will things start going the way we want.
