Woh Bhinn Hai.
Little did I know I'd be walking into a festive occasion gone awry, when I accompanied maharishi Vishwamitr, along with Lakshman for a holy sighting of the most sacred Shiv Dhanush. What greeted me was a hall filled with ire- the supposed cream of our exalted culture bickering with each other like common thieves arguing for the loot. What a disaster! How the great kings proved to be mere men, stripped off their dignity!
Guru Vishwamitr announced us brothers in authoritatively, amidst the din- his voice ringing high and clear - menacing...cautioning... He declared that if need arises, we would fight to uphold the king's honour.
My gaze subconsciously wandered to the persona that seemed to attract me magnetically with her mere presence. How was she taking this? The little I knew of her, I knew she'd resent being reduced to nothing but a mere reward- treated like an object!
There she sat, by her troubled father, her gaze connecting with mine- shining with hope and faith.
Janakputri Sita- She has been an enigma to me from the day I was aware of her existence. Right from the torn scarf that had caressed the horse's wounds...pronouncing a mind that refused to adhere to the blind norms...a pragmatic, yet sensitive soul that could relate to everything that was living under the sun.
If I had to describe her in one word, I would say she is different'. Woh bhinn hai- just like I defined her to Lakshman.
She is so far removed from any woman I have come across- Be it Mata Kausalya known for her composure, Mata Kaikeyi known for her aristocracy or Mata Sumitra known for her piety...or even Mata Gargi known for her tough, yet adorable stance on women's equality...Sita is just different. She is not any or all of those adorable personalities- she is just so distinct! So gentle, yet not docile. ...So practical, yet not insensitive... So regal, yet not haughty...So composed, yet not indifferent...Ever questioning...Ever seeking...So sure of herself...So clear about how she'd have things be...yet so open and eager to explore...the most enchanting person I have met in my entire life.
How simply and earnestly she had made me aware about how I would spend my adult life. Never had it crossed my mind regarding how I'd share my life...But she had asked me coyly...so sure of herself, so bold...she had only been scared if I'd be offended.
How could anyone be? How innocently she connected my thoughts...How easily I knew I wouldn't be following my father's footsteps. Would I have really thought about this, unless she had pointedly guided my thoughts to it? How easy it was to follow the norms of our culture, but how brave was one princess to stand up to me and ask me if I'd be any different. Different!- Who couldn't be, for this amazing woman who was not afraid to question, revolt in the most unaggressive manner, fight for the ones who didn't have a voice...
...Yet she stands before me today...her candor being assailed by the kings among men...each one eager to claim her as a prize...a possession...rather, one among their many possessions. As men who are supposed to uphold the honour of a woman and protect her, how we have collectively failed!
The pandemonium brings me back to the ceremony.
I am asked to prove my mettle and claim my prize...I disregard the postulations, until my learned teacher orders me to complete the task. That is my cue. If I had witnessed all this, and had to be called upon to put an end to this mockery, so be it.
I take a few steps around the Dhanush, revering it. I feel the bow...its sanctity, its texture, its grandeur. In one swift motion, I lift it up...I set it up to tie it...and it breaks into two...
How fitting that the Dhanush itself resented being the instrument to a woman's dishonour! No one would be able to claim The Reward' now. Let the princess herself choose her groom now- Shouldn't that be what a Swayamwar is about?- A Woman's Free Will.
PS: Credit to Ms. Shwets for the awesome collages.
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
