Role of Women in Hindu Society - Research Paper Example

Twelfth century BC is known to be the year of birth of the two great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Hindus, the way they live and their traditional beliefs, are inspired by the stories and the moral teachings of these two epics. These books have also helped in shaping up the attitudes of the Hindu community towards women.

Place of Women in Hindu Society

Women during the 12th century as evident from Mahabharata were given sufficient respect and men always looked forward to fulfill all their needs and desires. The conversation between Bhima and Draupadi in the book gives us an idea of this where Draupadi expresses her likings for a flower saying that, “Look what a wonderful flower!” Even knowing that it is in the mountains Bhima said that, “I’ll go look…. And if I find any more I’ll bring them back for you” (Buck, 156). Women took part in family decision making and were given social rights like choosing their husbands. In Mahabharata mention has been several times of a ceremony called ‘Swayamvara’ (Buck, 121). The ceremony was held for princesses’ marriage. Thousands of kings and princes would come for different regions and princess would select as her husband. A great amount of love and respect was noticed in every woman for her husband. They were even ready to share their husband’s misery as princess says “How long will you pass your days without me? How long will you live hungry, sleep under the trees without me?” (Buck, 126) This fact has been highlighted in the book through princess Damayanti’s remarks “I will wear this torn robe until I see Nala again and if I do not meet with him soon I will die and leave this body for a better place” (Buck, 130). This shows that the princess cannot even think of surviving without her husband King Nala. They in return received the same kind of love and respect as evident from Nala’s remarks “I will remain yours forever” (Buck, 123). Men gave women, especially the beautiful ones, much importance as they desired to marry them. Such a desire is expressed by King Shantanu as he tells Ganga, “Beautiful One, of whatever race you are, goddess or Naga, Asura or Apsaras or human being as myself, return with me now as my Queen” (Buck, 18). This quotation also shows there was no such racial discrimination. Women maintained privacy in their decisions and also did not tolerate such interference. As Ganga says to king Shantanu before marriage, “But if I become your lady you must never ask my name, nor speak to me unkindly, nor interfere with anything I do, or I will leave you” (Buck, 18).

Although Kings at that time had a number of wives none of them were ignored and each of them was given equal importance. The wives also did not object at all. In Mahabharata it has been said that King Pandu lived happily with his two wives at Hastinapur (Buck, 31). But one bad thing about the society at that time as reflected in Mahabharata is that men considered their wives to be their assets and even did not felt bad about mortgaging them as collateral securities. This is revealed in that part of Mahabharata where King Yudhisthira says, “I stake Draupadi against all five of us” (Buck, 97). Here the king is staking his wife Draupadi in a game of dice even without her knowledge. This has hurt Draupadi a lot as she says, “Who stakes his wife in a dice game?” (Buck, 99). But at that time women had to be obedient to her husband irrespective of their wishes. Although women were treated with respect, undoubtedly even at that time the society was dominated by men. People remained silent and did not protest even in case of men’s ill behavior. Here even though Draupadi had not even played the dice game she was punished by Dushasana who tried stripping off her clothes in front of a number of people. But Lord Krishna applied some magical acts and prevented such a crime from happening. In spite of so many people present in the assembly nobody stopped Prince Dushasana from creating such a sin. Left with no other option Draupadi had to bear the punishment on behalf of her husband for losing the dice game (Buck, 99). This instance shows that women even tolerated all the wrong doings of their husbands as if it was their duty.

Importance of woman in Dharma

As depicted in the Mahabharata people at that time were extremely religious as well as superstitious. They performed rituals and religious ceremonies for every moments of happiness in their life and also to overcome bad luck. Ceremonies were performed for kingship as we see in case of Karna who was made the king of Anga. Men offered religious prayers to Gods regularly. This we see in case of Karna who regularly worshiped a fatal dart for a year with lights and beads and food (Buck, 288). It has also been shown here that men only performed such religious and any such religious required men more rather than women. But women also used to take part in religious ceremonies. People also believed the existence of evil spirits and demons. In Mahabharata mention has been made of demons very frequently and even in that part where Vibhandaka informs Rishyasringa, “Well let me tell you that was a Rakshasa! Even so do they appear in sunlight” (Buck, 150).

A ceremony was performed during Karna’s kingship where Duryodhana gave him the royal parasol and Dushasana fanned Karna with a yak tail fan (Buck, 46). In Mahabharata there are instances of god showing off their power by creating miracles. Lord Krishna prevented Dushasana from stripping off Draupadi’s clothes by giving her an extra dress every time he stripped one (Buck, 99). The Surya god coming down to the earth to meet Princess Kunti as she uttered some magic words taught by Durvasas (Buck, 29). Gods residing in the heaven have been shown as extremely powerful and could cure or give blessings to any human beings according to their deeds. For instance, in one part Lord Indra and Lord Surya are competing against each other. Each of the lords is putting all their efforts to save their sons (Arjuna and Karna respectively) in the war (Buck, 290). So ordinary people always tried to please the Gods and seek their blessings. But male dominance has been revealed even in case of Hindu ‘dharma’. All gods discussed about in Mahabharata are males. No mention of any such powerful female goddess is found here. The male gods are also shown as having similar desires like that of ordinary human being. Lord Indra expresses his desire to marry beautiful princess Damayanti (Buck, 122). Women too are shown to have the desire to meet gods. As princess Kunti tells Lord Surya, “So soon! ….But stay a moment you have come so far to see me here.” (Buck, 30). Such instances as shown in Mahabharata that although women were respected the males were the kings and they ruled even over the society. This dominance is even reflected in ‘dharma’.

Conclusion

From the descriptions and moral stories available in Mahabharata we find that women were given enough respect during that period. They also received a lot of love from their husbands in return of their devotion. But it has to be said that the society was purely male dominated and women had to be obedient to them and also suffer for their wrong activities.