Posted:
Hi Mansi,
Today every word you wrote reflects my own thoughts and feelings on the subject.
So I won't dwell on what you have already said so well.
Today we will see the aftermath of the exposure. How the news spreads to others, how Jalal reveals all to Jodha and seeks solace from her ---- his anchor and bedrock, how he tries to stem the damage to his and his family's/sultanat's prestige, how others react to this stunning news and finally, how Ruq herself carries herself after having been reduced to dirt overnight in Jalal and everyone else's eyes.
There cannot be a public humiliation of Ruq because of the reasons you have cited and because Jalal, by nature, would rather ignore a person than punish them openly, esp someone from his own inner circle. We have seen this trend since BB's time.
But there can be no doubt that indirectly, the public disgrace and fall of audha will be complete for Ruq. She will be the laughing stock of everyone from bandis to other harem begums , over whom she had lorded over all these years.
How can anyone of the senior ladies like HB, Gulbadan Begum, etc to court officials to the general public respect or trust her ever again after this gross betrayal of her husband and SS?
Coming to her treatment of Jodha in the past few days, I have maintained that it was graceful on Jodha's part to look after Jalal's unborn child so well. She didn't lose her self-respect by acting like the handmaiden of Ruq. She rose in Jalal's eyes by showing her immense love and magnanimity for him and his child.
When we contrast her grace and dignity with the cheap and undignified behaviour of Ruq, we can easily see who wins the sweepstakes in terms of everyone's respect and admiration.
After this event, she will naturally rise in the eyes of not just her husband but the entire Agra palace and the people. If now Jalal sidelines Ruq, and elevate Jodha, who will question him or attribute his actions to blind love and neglect of a childhood friend?
If Jodha had also remained conscious of her status as a Khan queen and insisted that she was no dasi to look after another queen, she would have shown herself to be not much better than Ruq in Jalal?'s eyes. The fact that she is so down to earth, unaffected by royal trappings, is what drew her to him in the first place. The fact that she has a heart overflowing with love for everyone and is willing to give people a second chance at repairing relations will always stand her in good stead with Jalal.
In Sanskrit, it is said, 'namanti phalino vriksha, namanti gunino jana'. A fruit laden tree and good people are always humble and do not feel ashamed of bending before others. In fact, they are able to withstand storms by bending and letting the worst pass over them. But arrogant people and trees that have no fruit and stand tall, are the ones who are uprooted easily by a tempest.
The question of Jodha's public humiliation earlier is a haunting sceptre that refuses to go away. But that was the past when Jalal had not fully accepted her in his life. Now she is his life itself and he will not himself humiliate her publicly ever again.
The question also arises why he never defends Jodha when others insult her publicly. Is there any use trying to talk sense to a person intent on mudslinging? Such a person will only stoop even lower if admonished. yes, I will complain if Jalal himself hurts Jodha now on. As long as he and the people who are going to matter in the future respect her, I am not bothered by the likes of ruq and Maham misbehavior with her. It is best to ignore them like Jalal does. To even scold them is to give them undue weightAge.
Where does life leave such people? In the dumps, like Maham and ruq have found out to their surprise. Where does life take apparent 'spineless people' like Jalal and Jodha? To the dizzying heights of eternal greatness and reverence.
I have said more than I intended to. Sorry folks!
Mansi, once again, thanks for a wonderfully balanced view without falling for the differential treatment of Jodha and ruq and for showing a deep understanding of Jalal's personal and public ignominy. Thanks so much!
Today every word you wrote reflects my own thoughts and feelings on the subject.
So I won't dwell on what you have already said so well.
Today we will see the aftermath of the exposure. How the news spreads to others, how Jalal reveals all to Jodha and seeks solace from her ---- his anchor and bedrock, how he tries to stem the damage to his and his family's/sultanat's prestige, how others react to this stunning news and finally, how Ruq herself carries herself after having been reduced to dirt overnight in Jalal and everyone else's eyes.
There cannot be a public humiliation of Ruq because of the reasons you have cited and because Jalal, by nature, would rather ignore a person than punish them openly, esp someone from his own inner circle. We have seen this trend since BB's time.
But there can be no doubt that indirectly, the public disgrace and fall of audha will be complete for Ruq. She will be the laughing stock of everyone from bandis to other harem begums , over whom she had lorded over all these years.
How can anyone of the senior ladies like HB, Gulbadan Begum, etc to court officials to the general public respect or trust her ever again after this gross betrayal of her husband and SS?
Coming to her treatment of Jodha in the past few days, I have maintained that it was graceful on Jodha's part to look after Jalal's unborn child so well. She didn't lose her self-respect by acting like the handmaiden of Ruq. She rose in Jalal's eyes by showing her immense love and magnanimity for him and his child.
When we contrast her grace and dignity with the cheap and undignified behaviour of Ruq, we can easily see who wins the sweepstakes in terms of everyone's respect and admiration.
After this event, she will naturally rise in the eyes of not just her husband but the entire Agra palace and the people. If now Jalal sidelines Ruq, and elevate Jodha, who will question him or attribute his actions to blind love and neglect of a childhood friend?
If Jodha had also remained conscious of her status as a Khan queen and insisted that she was no dasi to look after another queen, she would have shown herself to be not much better than Ruq in Jalal?'s eyes. The fact that she is so down to earth, unaffected by royal trappings, is what drew her to him in the first place. The fact that she has a heart overflowing with love for everyone and is willing to give people a second chance at repairing relations will always stand her in good stead with Jalal.
In Sanskrit, it is said, 'namanti phalino vriksha, namanti gunino jana'. A fruit laden tree and good people are always humble and do not feel ashamed of bending before others. In fact, they are able to withstand storms by bending and letting the worst pass over them. But arrogant people and trees that have no fruit and stand tall, are the ones who are uprooted easily by a tempest.
The question of Jodha's public humiliation earlier is a haunting sceptre that refuses to go away. But that was the past when Jalal had not fully accepted her in his life. Now she is his life itself and he will not himself humiliate her publicly ever again.
The question also arises why he never defends Jodha when others insult her publicly. Is there any use trying to talk sense to a person intent on mudslinging? Such a person will only stoop even lower if admonished. yes, I will complain if Jalal himself hurts Jodha now on. As long as he and the people who are going to matter in the future respect her, I am not bothered by the likes of ruq and Maham misbehavior with her. It is best to ignore them like Jalal does. To even scold them is to give them undue weightAge.
Where does life leave such people? In the dumps, like Maham and ruq have found out to their surprise. Where does life take apparent 'spineless people' like Jalal and Jodha? To the dizzying heights of eternal greatness and reverence.
I have said more than I intended to. Sorry folks!
Mansi, once again, thanks for a wonderfully balanced view without falling for the differential treatment of Jodha and ruq and for showing a deep understanding of Jalal's personal and public ignominy. Thanks so much!
Arjun
