Yajnaseni – A Synonym of Indian Woman

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Indian tradition has awarded highest regard to a woman, considered her a mother, who is regarded as the epitome of purity and inviolability. India has always had a special place for women in almost every ritualistic practice in the society. A woman is free to take part in any spiritual and social service unlike many cultures in the society. And women from time immemorial have exhibited their dynamic energy, devoted efforts and dedicated service for their family, society and every other field where they have got an opportunity or platform to perform. Indian aesthetics, philosophy and tradition have expounded various qualities of women.

The ultimate reality is one and the world of beings is its manifestations. The Upanishads declare that “ekam sat viprah bahuda vadanti” means—there is but only one reality in this world. Man and woman are the two manifestations of one supreme power. The refinement of man and woman mark the essence of civilization. They appear different in form and function but the fact remains that they are equal in strength, power and disposition. And yet they are different and unique. It is in man, that a woman finds her end or fulfilment and vice versa. This unique relationship is described in Indian philosophy as Shiva and Shakti, or Purusa and Prakriti. Purusa is the conscious principle, the force or the energy while Prakriti is matter, gross, but active. It is in their union the very evolution has taken place. Philosophically the doctrine of evolution has great significance in inter relating matter, life, mind and spirit. In Indian mythology, Shiva and Shakti are represented as two sides of the same divinity. Hence there is a beautiful depiction of this union as ardhanᾱreeshwara —half man and half woman. It i...

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...parayuga; but whenever she took birth on this earth, every time she became a prey to lusty Duhshasans. She has established dharma in the Dvaparayuga but her wish to bring peace on earth has remained unfulfilled till today.

Being a woman novelist, Dr. Ray’s stories revolve round women protagonists. She has characterized women of every strata of the society as a ploy in the hands of men. Somewhere they are exploited by their lovers, somewhere by husbands and at some other places by the patriarchal society. Throughout the novel, the story revolves around female subjugation and helplessness in a dystopian society steered by a section of powerful privileged men.

Works Cited

Ray, Prativa. Pradip Bhattacharya (Tr.). Yajnaseni
Chatterjee, Moitreyee. 'Taslima Nasreen's Lajjâ is nothing but a portrait of Society'. YouTube, 8 Dec 2010. Date of access – 30 September 2013.

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