During her long career as a scholar of Hinduism and Hindu mythology, Wendy Doniger has been accused of offending the religious sentiments of Hindus. Doniger, however, has always admired the intellectual depth of Hindu texts and culture. She has been captivated by the brilliant stories in Hindu texts, their symbolic language and the multiple interpretations they offer, particularly when exploring the complexities of dharma.
Thanks to her work, many hidden ancient tales were reinterpreted and brought into contemporary discourse. In her latest book, The Dharma of Unfaithful Wives and Faithful Jackals, she explores fascinating stories from the Shanti Parva and Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharat. The concept of “dharma”itself opens up vast possibilities for interpretation. Doniger admits that she had previously overlooked those sections of the epic which focus primarily on the idea of dharma. “Many of the stories in the Shanti and Anushasana Parvas are about wicked women; a few are about good women; and some of the stories about women are variants of better-known stories that were originally not about women at all,”Doniger notes in the introduction.
In the Shanti and Anushasana Parvas, one witnesses Bhishma offering counsel to Yudhishthira, while lying on his deathbed made of arrows. Doniger uses the discussion as preludes to her stories. Doniger retells 36 stories, applying her distinctive female gaze to narratives where women are often blamed for sexual issues affecting both genders. She, however, points out that the Mahabharat also contains stories that offer a positive portrayal of women.
The interpretation of Doniger’s latest work will vary, depending on the perspective through which it is read. Some may view it as yet another instance of ‘male-bashing’. However, the book offers valuable insights from ancient stories, inspiring discourse and corrective actions for a more equitable future for all genders.
THE DHARMA OF UNFAITHFUL WIVES AND FAITHFUL JACKALS: SOME MORAL TALES FROM THE MAHABHARATA
Author: Wendy Doniger
Publisher: Speaking Tiger
Price: Rs499; pages 224