In India clear expectations towards the behaviour of a woman in society exist. The role of a wife in marriage is not only culturally but also religiously defined. In Hinduism two role models are given: Rama’s wife Sita and Krishna’s mistress Radha. The Essay follows the question: How do Sita and Radha help explore the boundaries of wifely behaviour?
Table of Contents
- The Role Model Wives in Hinduism
- Devotion of a Woman Towards a Man
- Emotional Expression
- Leaving Everything Behind
- Attributes to Men
- The Wife's Position in Society
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the portrayal of ideal wives in Hinduism, specifically focusing on the figures of Sita and Radha. The main objective is to analyze the expectations placed upon women within marital relationships by examining the virtues and limitations imposed upon these two archetypal figures. * The devotion of a wife towards her husband as a central theme in Hinduism * The expectations of emotional control and selflessness from women * The impact of social norms and cultural traditions on women's roles * The limitations imposed upon wives, particularly in terms of individual agency and expression * The evolving role of women in contemporary Indian society in light of these historical idealsChapter Summaries
- The Role Model Wives in Hinduism: This chapter introduces the two central figures, Sita and Radha, highlighting their distinct relationships with Rama and Krishna, respectively. It establishes the framework for understanding the expectations placed upon women within marriage, using these figures as cultural and religious archetypes.
- Devotion of a Woman Towards a Man: This section delves into the central theme of devotion as portrayed in the relationships of Sita and Radha. It emphasizes the selflessness and unwavering dedication expected from women, highlighting examples from their narratives.
- Emotional Expression: This chapter examines how the two figures are portrayed in terms of emotional expression. It explores the limitations imposed upon women, particularly their inability to openly express anger or frustration, highlighting the consequences of such actions in the narratives.
- Leaving Everything Behind: This section focuses on the theme of sacrifice and the expectation of women to relinquish their personal lives for their husbands. It explores the examples of Sita leaving the civilized world to follow Rama into exile and Radha risking her reputation to meet Krishna in secrecy.
- Attributes to Men: This chapter analyzes the portrayal of women as subservient to men, highlighting how Sita and Radha are defined primarily through their relationships with Rama and Krishna. The text explores the concept of the wife as a reflection of her husband's status and reputation.
- The Wife's Position in Society: This chapter examines the traditional role of wives in Indian society as depicted in the stories of Sita and Radha, highlighting the limitations imposed upon their actions and emotional expression. The text also explores the evolution of women's roles in contemporary society, suggesting a shift towards greater individual agency and autonomy.
Keywords
The core concepts explored in this work include the portrayal of ideal wives in Hinduism, focusing on the figures of Sita and Radha. Key themes include devotion, emotional control, social norms, cultural traditions, individual agency, and the evolving role of women in contemporary Indian society.
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- Kati Neubauer (Author), 2008, The role model wives in Hinduism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/133371
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