Tag: Stories

Girls in India are repeatedly told that their stay in parents’ houses is temporary. They don’t “belong” there. This narrative continuously plays in their mind all the time like background music in a TV show. So growing up suffering this lack of roots or anchor to hold on to, is very confusing. It is full of uncertainty.
The feeling of “belonging” somewhere is extremely important for anyone to feel safe. After all, Home is not just a place, it is a sentiment.

Let us turn to our history and mythology. Sita is worshipped and remembered for her selflessness and her sacrifices. We all know, it wasn’t fair play.
To be honest, being a feminist, I have always questioned this. Then over the time, I “conditioned myself” to silence my thoughts. One may argue that love invites sacrifice. Maybe. Till day Radha Krishan stay embodiment of eternal love. Many claim them to be twin flame. However, like Sita, Radha, too did not get her due! Worshiped?
True! Regardless, Rukmani stole the show.
Meera cried as her heart bled. In devotion, was her heavenly bliss. Longing for redemption!
Tolerating endless life threatening torture. For invisible God Krishna. Who was worshipped by all but loved by her. It was considered blasphemy. I think, more than anything else, it was her faith in Krishna’s love, that brought him into existence.
Are sacrifices an essential certificate for determining a woman’s greatness? Is it so? Social conditioning and beliefs makes it so normal to for women to force themselves to fit in the expectations of others. To forego their identities.
On the other hand in mythology there is also reference of Shakti and Durga. Worshipped as a symbol of power. Magnificent. Formidable. Fierce.
Shiva’s consort Parvati, is perhaps more nearer to an ideal. Through Ardhanareeswara, religion did depict the message of woman being equal to man. Both complimenting each other. Sadly, that is never highlighted. This epitome of equality has been underplayed by the religious leaders for centuries to control, rule and dominate women. So, Sita, more an example than Parvati who on several occasions disagreed with Shiva. An ideal feminine energy, embodying devotion and yet having her own identity.

In contemporary time you can safely blame it on Disney! You grew up reading fairy tales…Be it Snow White, Cinderella or Rapunzel, they were all saved by charming, competent, wealthy kings. Redemption! Easy assumption. Adorable and knave. Were all these gorgeous women really hostages? Or did they let themselves be? Living in fantasy is a coping mechanism. Shortcut to escape the pain. Avoiding ownership for creating a meaningful existence.

Don’t get deceived by all these stories. There is no one showing up for your liberation. No one like that exists. Be prepared to be your own prince charming! Reclaim yourself.

Dear woman, to be or not be, is not for you to see anymore! It has always been a man’s world, and it will be until you let it be! So today, rise like a Phoenix and “be” what you want… Know your true worth. To remember who you are, you need to forget, who others told you to be. Let that love you relentlessly shower on others, be yours. Create your destiny. Be an independent, capable, confident, and powerful woman.

Be the Shakti- be invincible!