Mahabharate Narijiban

• Author: দেবীদাস আচার্য (Debidas Acharya)
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers
• Language: Bengali
• Edition: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789354256288
• Pages: 352
• Weight: 528 grams

Book Description:

মহাভারতে নারীজীবন explores the complex roles and positions of women in the Mahabharata, questioning the traditional view that women in that era had a prominent and respected place in society. The book delves into the gap between historical idealization and the often harsh realities that women faced in the epic. By dissecting the lives of key female characters such as Draupadi, Gandhari, Kunti, Satyavati, Shakuntala, and Savitri, the author offers a more nuanced view of womanhood in the Mahabharata.

While the Mahabharata presents several female figures in positions of strength and influence, it also paints a broader picture of the everyday lives of women, both extraordinary and ordinary. From birth, education, and marriage to motherhood and widowhood, the author examines how the lives of women were largely shaped and confined by patriarchal norms. The roles and identities of women were often defined through the eyes of men, and their value measured by male standards.

The book also reflects on how the Mahabharata, along with religious texts and cultural traditions, reinforced these norms, making it difficult for women to assert their individuality or challenge societal expectations. Through the lens of this ancient text, the book critiques how these notions still persist in contemporary society, where many men continue to uphold similar patriarchal ideologies under the guise of tradition.

মহাভারতে নারীজীবন is an essential read for those interested in understanding the gender dynamics of the Mahabharata and their relevance in modern-day India. It challenges long-held beliefs and invites readers to rethink the position of women in both ancient and present-day Indian society.