Gender Bias in Hindu Myths
Gender Bias in Hindu Myths
The concept of the Goddess, myth and dance is truly a tool which empowers for women of our culture. Although women are at times portrayed as inferior, they possess many strong qualities which break this stereotype. Women are beautiful, strong, and courageous, they are mothers and sisters and daughters, and without them this world would not exist. Women, since the time of the Vedas and Upanishads have been looked to carry their traditional heritage from generation to generation. Hindu mythology gives importance to both male and female characters; one is not able to live without the other. The concept of goddesses and their strong culture which incorporates myth and dance which is clearly embedded in Hindu thought and religion allows women in today’s society to attain a sense of belonging.
Although every culture has some sort of gender bias, Hindu classical thought gives light to both male and female divinity. One clear example of this is Shakti who is known as the divine force. She manifests herself to destroy demonic forces and restore balance. Every God in Hinduism has his Shakti and without that energy they have no power. Lakshmi is the energy of Vishnu. Parvati is energy of Shiva. Shakti is also called Devi or mahadevi, assuming different roles as Sati, Parvati, Durga and Kali. So Shakti is the mother goddess, the source of all, the universal principle of energy, power or creativity.1 The Ramayan is the very soul of India. It is a complete guide to God-realization, the path to which lies in righteousness. The epic of Ramayana speaks of Ram, who was given life to free the world of the demonic stature of Ravana and his love Sita who was an incarnation of Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. This again proves that gender bias although prevalent in society is not preached through the backbones of the Hindu culture, through its classical myths. The concepts of classical Hindu culture is clearly portrayed in Madhu Bazaz’s book ,
The concept of the Goddess, myth and dance is truly a tool which empowers for women of our culture. Although women are at times portrayed as inferior, they possess many strong qualities which break this stereotype. Women are beautiful, strong, and courageous, they are mothers and sisters and daughters, and without them this world would not exist. Women, since the time of the Vedas and Upanishads have been looked to carry their traditional heritage from generation to generation. Hindu mythology gives importance to both male and female characters; one is not able to live without the other. The concept of goddesses and their strong culture which incorporates myth and dance which is clearly embedded in Hindu thought and religion allows women in today’s society to attain a sense of belonging.
Although every culture has some sort of gender bias, Hindu classical thought gives light to both male and female divinity. One clear example of this is Shakti who is known as the divine force. She manifests herself to destroy demonic forces and restore balance. Every God in Hinduism has his Shakti and without that energy they have no power. Lakshmi is the energy of Vishnu. Parvati is energy of Shiva. Shakti is also called Devi or mahadevi, assuming different roles as Sati, Parvati, Durga and Kali. So Shakti is the mother goddess, the source of all, the universal principle of energy, power or creativity.1 The Ramayan is the very soul of India. It is a complete guide to God-realization, the path to which lies in righteousness. The epic of Ramayana speaks of Ram, who was given life to free the world of the demonic stature of Ravana and his love Sita who was an incarnation of Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. This again proves that gender bias although prevalent in society is not preached through the backbones of the Hindu culture, through its classical myths. The concepts of classical Hindu culture is clearly portrayed in Madhu Bazaz’s book ,