Thank you for sharing these ancient stories. But I have to comment as a modern woman who questions the conflation of purity and goodness. Have men ever been judged this way? Are there stories of good women with multiple partners? Just curious.
Hi Katharine, lol, that's a good question. Thanks for sharing. Please check out the link included in the story for the story of another powerful woman. She had five husbands and is considered one of the most pious women of ancient times. Hindu mythology is filled with all kinds of unconventional relationships that defy our modern views and logic for both men and women. For advanced reading, I recommend William Buck's translation of the Mahabharata, which explores some of these stories. However, it's essential to recognize that modern India is fundamentally a patriarchal society with extremes and exceptions.
p.s. I updated the story with an explicit call out to other examples, and added a footnote link to a feministindia viewpoint that takes apart the idea of 'chastity' in the literary rendition of this legend.
After many shops failed to meet his expectations of a price, he visited the largest shop in the bazaar and sought their price for his wife’s anklet. The shopkeeper, observing the man’s traveling clothes and unkempt form, became suspicious.
Thank you for sharing these ancient stories. But I have to comment as a modern woman who questions the conflation of purity and goodness. Have men ever been judged this way? Are there stories of good women with multiple partners? Just curious.
Hi Katharine, lol, that's a good question. Thanks for sharing. Please check out the link included in the story for the story of another powerful woman. She had five husbands and is considered one of the most pious women of ancient times. Hindu mythology is filled with all kinds of unconventional relationships that defy our modern views and logic for both men and women. For advanced reading, I recommend William Buck's translation of the Mahabharata, which explores some of these stories. However, it's essential to recognize that modern India is fundamentally a patriarchal society with extremes and exceptions.
p.s. I updated the story with an explicit call out to other examples, and added a footnote link to a feministindia viewpoint that takes apart the idea of 'chastity' in the literary rendition of this legend.
Thank you, Jayshree, for such a fulsome answer. I’ll follow the new link soon.
Hi Katherine, your comment also prompted me to write of a man who kept his vow to a woman here - thanks for the question!
https://open.substack.com/pub/jayshreegururaj/p/when-a-man-made-a-vow-to-a-woman?r=1si0oc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you, Jayshree. I am curious to see what happens.
All the parts of the series are posted. I await your feedback!
Great story -- ancient legend, Jayshree. I love reading about powerful women in history. They did exist in every culture. The patriarchy hid so much.
True! Thanks for the feedback. The belief in female power is important too.
I'm a life long feminist. A very long time ago the world was not run by patriarchies.
I’m learning Indian culture is filled with so many captivating stories. Thank you for sharing! And I love the imagery. 💞💫💞
This is where the trouble started 😞😞
After many shops failed to meet his expectations of a price, he visited the largest shop in the bazaar and sought their price for his wife’s anklet. The shopkeeper, observing the man’s traveling clothes and unkempt form, became suspicious.
lol, that is true too, Reginald! The husband could have been smarter!
Yes! That and the reporter. It makes me think that we almost always feel alerting others to suspicious activity is noble and helpful.
But aren't suspicions just opinions and inherently bias? Sharing these suspicions can have dire consequences.
Did the shop owner stop to wander, what if I'm wrong...
I agrée completely.
Jayshree, The power of women may one day save this world. D
Thank you, Jayshree, for another fascinating and awe-inspiring story. I could read these every day 💙🙏💫
So glad to hear this, thanks Joyce!