One Doesn't have to teach Indians on women's empowerment

The Empowered Women's | Feminism

Introduction to Women's Empowerment

I find it very sad when in India people talk about feminism when it is actually a very limiting philosophy. So, what empowerment or who is empowering women? The women's have it all,they are already empowered, they are 'Shakti' this is all what our Indian philosophy has taught us. So,what is this question that somebody else coming from outside and empowering women,that concept I have never really understood.

When we are saying in your prayers 'Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu' what does it mean it mean O Goddess, who is within all sentient beings. Here, it doesn't talk about only women but the goddess, the feminine 'tatwa' or element is present in all sentient beings in men,in trees,in animals,in birds and everything. That Devi which is present in all 'bhutas' as Shakti, as Mother of all beings and we Indian worship that feminine as we come from that culture.

#dream

But I find it immensely saddening by this whole new construct when everything Indian and everything 'dharmik' or religious is ridiculed. It seen when you track conversation on What's App or in real life and if one feels that somebody is behaving in a old fashion way, I would say old fashion according to somebody else, than that person is told mockingly, why are you being so Savitri ?

Now, that I want to tell you a story who is this Savitri, who's name is being taken in order to declare someone as very good. Do you know who is Savitri ? What did she do that made people to give her name as an example. Ready to dive into the story here we go..

Shakti

Who is Savitri and why is she worshiped ?

Savitri was a princess who was the daughter of solar deity and when Savitri grew up and reached the age of marriage she was told by her father to get married to a prince or he said she can get married to anyone. But you won't believe what she did, she choose Satyavan,a penalize person who lived in a forest. Savitri said that she doesn't want to marry a rich men ,or a prince but instead Savitri said she wanted to marry Satyavan because he fits into her idea of a good husband. Savitri choose Satyavan even though she knew that he had a short life that he was going to die very early and his parents lived in a forest who were living in extreme penury. But even after learning all of it Savitri went against her parents wishes,got married to Satyavan and started living in the forest.

At last when the time came because on the day it was for told that Satyavan was going to die. So, 'Yama' (Lord of Death) came to take her husband. Savitri said sorry you can't take my husband away from me and she started following him back. When Lord of death saw that Savitri was following him, he asked Savitri to not follow him and go back to her house as her husband's time was over and now he has to leave but instead she kept on following 'Yama' . Later, 'Yama' said OK ask me a boon and take that boon and go back. So, the first boon she asked

 "May my father in law who lost his eyesight may he regain his eyesight".

'Yama' granted her wishes and asked her to go back. But even though Savitri didn't go back and kept on following 'Yama'. At the next point 'Yama' informed Savitri that you are in 'Bhulok' (Earth) you can't come with me and asked her to go back. To this Savitri replied that she is coming with him. At last after lot's of conversation 'Yama' asked her take another boon and  told her to return back to your house. There she asked

"Let my father in law regain his kingdom and let him get his wealth back"

her this wish was also fulfilled but even though she kept on following so finally 'Yama' got fed up with her and he said ask me one more boon this time but you can't ask for your husband's life back, sort of that you can ask for anything else. At last she asked

 "May I become a mother of good worthy children"

 and 'Yama' said Yes,  as technically Savitri has not asked her husband's life back. So, she asked from where will I get those kids, you have to return my husband back. So, than 'Yama' gave her husband's life back and this is the reason why she is being worship. Savitri didn't go around a tree and kept on worshiping for husband's life but instead she fought for her husband's life she managed make loose 'Lord of Death' in an argument that's how she got her husband's life back. I would say if somebody says you are a Savitri one should take it as an complement that means you are capable of taking life decisions, you are capable of fighting for what is dearer to you but that icon has been used in recent years by modern educated Indians that signifies Savitri as something that is very contrary to the idea of what Savitri stands for.

The example that Savitri has set this needs a great courage and some persistence. Anybody else or any lesser person would have said OK 'Yama' you are saying so I am going back but this is such wonderful story of women's empowerment. This is the kind of traditions that we Indian come from and which is why it saddens me immensely that in these days everything about 'Dharmik' or religious way is considered to be discriminatory against women. But I would say, the example that Savitri has set is the Indian way of 'Shakti' which is all empowering and all encompassing way which tells not just women but also every sentient beings that you have the Shakti.

#neverSettle

Conclusion:

Doing only what men do is not empowerment and  by copying men women's are restricting themselves. Whenever there is a restriction there won't be any real empowerment whether it be in  Economy or Education or Science women's are capable but they must remember that competing with man is not empowerment. The self-realization of your own unique strength and being confident in who you are is very important and as society we must create an atmosphere that allows that, which encourages that. As a society if we lack that atmosphere we are going to face many problem and I feel Indian heritage, Indian traditions must be re-introduced to those who do not understand them or who do not follow them properly.

At last I would love to hear from my readers about what are there opinions on "Women's Empowerment and Feminism" in the comment section below. Don't forget Subscribe and Share 

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