Relationship Between Men And Women In The Ramayana Of Valmiki

The Ramayana of Valmiki is one of the great Hindu epics in literature and has had a profound influence in Indian society. The influence of the epic poem appears in the domestic familial relations of the people and its characters are the models which the culture yearns for. According to M.V. Kamath, a veteran Indian journalist “The Ramayana is not just a story: it presents India 's culture, its philosophical foundation in all its variety and glory. As Hinduism spread in South-east Asia, so did the Ramayana, in countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia.”

The story explores the theme of human values and virtues, and many of its characters portray ideal figures of society. The titular character Rama,

There is a perceived lack of parity in Rama and Sita’s relationship and between men and women in general in the context of the poem and many other ancient texts like it. The problem stems from the patriarchal social systems in the underlying themes of the story. Historically, in patriarchal social systems males predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property; and in the domain of the family, fathers or father-figures hold authority over women and children. It implies the institutions of male domination and entails female subordination. The western view is that this an unjust social system that is oppressive to

The men; however, are portrayed as kings, princes and powerful warriors and the world revolves around their actions, and the women just happen to be a part of their world. This is most evident when Rama disowns Sita after successfully rescuing her from the clutches of the demon Ravana and he declares that “Please understand I did not undertake this great war effort—on your account. Instead I did this all in order to protect my reputation and in every way to wipe clean the insult and disgrace to my illustrious lineage.” (Page 644) He then accuses her of adultery when stating “Since, however, you virtue is now in doubt, your presence has become as unbearable to me as a bright lamp to a man afflicted with a disease of the eye” and “For surely, Sita, once he had seen you with your heavenly beauty so enchanting, Ravana would not long have left you unmolested while you were dwelling in his house”. (Page 644) Rama sees his wife disgraced because a woman’s purity is considered her most sacred characteristic and it is shameful for a woman not to be considered pure, all the while men are able to engage in polygamous relationships, and in fact, such behavior was