It continues today and continues to be endorsed. Why don’t we have stories of men who like Apsaras dance to seduce women? Now, that would show a shift, no? In fact, patriarchy in India glorifies male celibacy and rejects female sexuality. Sages were expected to be celibate, which means the rejection of female sexuality. Biblical and Islamic traditions continue to see God as a man, not a woman, despite feminism. When did this shift happen with a patriarchal system coming in place?Īll societies are patriarchal, not just the Indian society. However there was a time when women sages were as important as male sages. Indian society is entrenched with patriarchy.
And Middle Eastern countries where non-Islamic religions are either not welcomed or held in suspicion. Compare this with ‘developed’ America and Europe that is terrified of Muslim immigrants. Indian society is shaped by rebirth mythologies that accommodate diversity, which is why there is so much cultural diversity in India. For example, the western society is a combination of polytheistic Greek mythology and monotheistic Abrahamic mythology. Mythology is the subjective truth of people communicated through stories, symbols and rituals. How important has mythology been in shaping our society? How relevant is mythology in today’s day and age? Read: Devdutt Pattanaik’s Shikhandi is snappy For instance,why don’t we have stories of men who like apsaras dance to seduce women?
In fact, he believes that “no society can exist without myth as it creates notions of right and wrong, good and bad, heaven and hell, rights and duties”.Īs his latest book Devlok with Devdutt, based on the TV series he hosts, gears up for release, he makes some more thought provoking points.
He wrote his first book on Shiva, 20 years ago and since then has been “joining the dots” on mythology. Celebrated mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik is an authority on all things mythology.
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