Deifying Women
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once said that respecting women is an intrinsic part of Indian tradition and culture, so there is no need for celebrating International Women’s Day. In Hindu mythology, mother goddess worship is one of the longest-standing religious traditions. A woman is treated as manifestation of Goddess Durga Shakti, and this is the theme of the Navratri festival celebrated twice a year. In the Ardhanarishvara murti, the left side is depicted in the shape of Devi, and the right, as Shiva. Prakriti, Devi, is the power of Purusha. Fire and its brilliance are distinct but not different. Creation, maintenance and dissolution of the universe is dependent on both forces and, therefore, woman must be respected irrespective of her looks, status or vulnerability, at all places. The Mother Goddess of the Indus Valley never really gave place to a dominant male. Mother Earth continues to be worshipped as the power that nurtures the seed and brings it to fruition. This basic reverence affirms that woman gives life, food and strength. Therefore, mother goddesses were worshipped at all times. Yet, women in real life are not respected; there is a huge disconnect between ritual and reality. The culture of respecting woman must come from right attitude, right thinking, right action. Sexual violence can be catastrophic, resulting in physical injury, mental agony and loss of dignity, besides compromising women at home and workplace. Hence the importance of acknowledging the #MeToo movement for course correction
Source: Economic Times, 15/10/18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once said that respecting women is an intrinsic part of Indian tradition and culture, so there is no need for celebrating International Women’s Day. In Hindu mythology, mother goddess worship is one of the longest-standing religious traditions. A woman is treated as manifestation of Goddess Durga Shakti, and this is the theme of the Navratri festival celebrated twice a year. In the Ardhanarishvara murti, the left side is depicted in the shape of Devi, and the right, as Shiva. Prakriti, Devi, is the power of Purusha. Fire and its brilliance are distinct but not different. Creation, maintenance and dissolution of the universe is dependent on both forces and, therefore, woman must be respected irrespective of her looks, status or vulnerability, at all places. The Mother Goddess of the Indus Valley never really gave place to a dominant male. Mother Earth continues to be worshipped as the power that nurtures the seed and brings it to fruition. This basic reverence affirms that woman gives life, food and strength. Therefore, mother goddesses were worshipped at all times. Yet, women in real life are not respected; there is a huge disconnect between ritual and reality. The culture of respecting woman must come from right attitude, right thinking, right action. Sexual violence can be catastrophic, resulting in physical injury, mental agony and loss of dignity, besides compromising women at home and workplace. Hence the importance of acknowledging the #MeToo movement for course correction
Source: Economic Times, 15/10/18
