Sitayana

By Niyati Mehta

Time and again I've questioned the Ramayan. Because as a girl, I never understood the point of it. I never understood why the creator of the entire universe would reincarnate to kill off a couple of demons.

But in the light of current events, I revisited the story, and I realized - This reincarnation was wholly and precisely taken to portray the rampant gender inequality in our society. And to demonstrate how wrong it is. It was written so we know what an ideal woman is. A woman who knows how to say no and stand up for herself. A woman who can abandon her husband and her entire family for her self respect. A woman who purely by her blind faith brought about the death of a demon. A woman who was unafraid to stand up to A God.

It isn't just to portray the brave deeds of a man. But to change our view on how a man should treat a woman - be it a complete stranger who he lusts for, or his own wife. It shows us that a man who wrongs a woman can never be happy. Even if the society Partakes and approves of his wrong doing.

And in writing this book, our ancestors realized exactly what the power of an independent, self respecting woman is. And they tried to show us, to beg us to not make the same mistakes that they did. In the form of a beautiful story. But as foolish as our male dominated society is, they made it seem like it's the portrayal of an ideal man. A man who lost everything in the end. A God who, for everything he did right, was finally left with nothing.

By Niyati Mehta