REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN INDIAN CLASSICS

In literary works of western literature Women were frequently the topic of interest for writers. Literature makes it clear that women social roles were more constrained then the roles of men. And since men composed the vast majority of early works, misogyny tends to taint much of it. Women were attributed with such negative traits like deceit, selfishness, seduction and temptation. They were always controlled, exploited and restrained and depicted in literature as submissive, docile, objects of desire, shameful and lower to their male counterparts. On the other hand in Indian classics, Women were not given any importance in family or society but theywere the source of spiritual support and base of hero’s strength and society’s strength in general. With her own nobility and profound human affection, the women were able to stimulate action and hero's aspirations. The common traits of women in ancient Indian literature included their kindness and generosity, persistence and patience, love, loyalty, and desire for happiness. These traits are regarded as "the golden rule," the defining feature of Indian culture, and a never-ending source of inspiration for Indian art and literature. The representation of women’s external as well as internal beauty in regard to social issues like caste, marriage and religion according to the Dharma concept always glorified and honoured by people of India