Women in the Mahabharata

Description

Women in the Mahabharata by Nrisinha Prasad Bhaduri offers a fresh, contemporary lens on the epic, exploring the nuanced roles of 18 female characters—from Draupadi and Kunti to Urvashi and Lopamudra. Far from being idealized figures of virtue, these women are portrayed as complex individuals whose actions are shaped by personal circumstances rather than rigid moral codes. Bhaduri delves into themes of gender fluidity, female sexuality, desire, jealousy, and political agency, revealing how these characters challenge traditional notions of chastity, devotion, and conjugal life.

The book presents a cross-section of ancient Indian civilization through its women, showing how their evolving identities reflect the dynamic realities of their time. Written in a lucid, engaging style, it combines scholarly depth with the narrative grace of the Mahabharata itself. Bhaduri’s conversational tone makes the work accessible to both academics and general readers, offering a rational historical context to mythological narratives. This insightful study invites readers to rethink the epic’s women not as static symbols, but as vibrant, modern figures whose stories continue to resonate.

About the author

NRISINHA PRASAD BHADURI is recipient of the Banga-Bibhushan Award in 2014 and the Sahitya Academy Award in 2016, is a leading litterateur whose main interest lies in the study of the Indian epics and Puranas. His published works include Vyas Dvaipayam (2010) in English (translated from original in Bengali), and Ramayani (2021) and Mahabharater Pratinayak (2009) in Bengali.