Doshobhuja | The one with TEN Arms | A contradiction of popular opinion
Yesterday was Mahalaya. Technically this means Pitripaksha has ended and Devipaksha has begun. I started my day with the Sanskrit recitation of Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s Mahishashura Mardini in the dawn. As I was pondering over the shlokas and their meaning, I was thinking of addressing an issue that has been misinterpreted by generations. It is very much relevant in today’s world, as we equate men and women in every sphere of life.
We often refer Maa Durga as Doshobhuja, where every arm carries a weapon to protect us from evil. Have you ever wondered why is the term “doshobhuja” (someone with ten arms) is synonymous to women? In our society, a woman is called Doshobhuja, where she is armed with numerous tasks. From taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, nurturing the baby, completing office assignments, sewing, knitting, she does it all.
The famous mythological tale of Devi Durga, also known as Mahishashur Mardini is being recounted here as a reference. Durga was constituted by the power or shakti of various male gods. Durga then went on to kill Mahishasur, who the Gods cannot kill as he cannot be killed by a man. Here, Durga’s womanhood is the source of her power. When Goddess Durga was called upon to vanquish the young demon Mahishasur, many Gods came together and bestowed a slew of powers and weapons upon Durga. Shiva gave her a Trishul, the God of the Himalayas gave her a Lion to ride on, and so forth. Durga became like a one-person army, endowed with multiple special skills, making her the only match for Mahishasur. Armed with all these powers, Durga descended from the heavens, and after a long and arduous ten-day battle, beheaded Mahishasur, restoring peace and order.
It took a woman of many talents and powers to triumph over evil. This story is of great significance, for it reminds us that good shall triumph over evil. It reminds us that even in a patriarchal society, it took an empowered fearless woman to face the wrath of a demon.
Wait, but that’s not all. Durga is referred to as the symbol of women empowerment. Durga represents every married daughter who returns to her parents place with her children. Her return is a moment of joy and celebrations. Durga is now a name synonymous to a modern women, who is fierce when it comes to fighting with the evil, yet she is a care-giver, nurturer.
While it is a fact that women have only two arms, yet they perform innumerable tasks throughout the day!
But, here comes to real question! Can we refer to men as Doshobhuja? Frankly speaking, I don’t see anything wrong in that because in the present times, men work on an equal footing with women, both at office and at home. And thanks to pandemic and lockdown, we have actually realised the importance of equal parenting and division of domestic chores. Men are not only the financial backbone of the family, but are also care providers. I have seen my husband insisting on not having a maid, where he sweeps and mops the floor, while I cook and do the dishes. Laundry is taken care of by the washing machine. Once in a fortnight, we deep clean our home, but let me admit, he does eighty percent of the deep cleaning at home.
A contradiction, which is inherent in the society we live in – while the woman goes out of the home to work and earn, the home and the children are still the responsibly of the woman.
It took many a generations to smash the barriers of patriarchy and empower women in real sense! However, why not for a change put men on an equal footing in this case? Afterall both men and women have two hands, and no matter howsoever society perceives women as doshobhuja (the one with ten arms), men too are not behind!
Let me know your views on this. Am open to your suggestions, criticism.
This Blog Post was a part of the #LetsBlogWithPri S2
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I’m a 100% with you on this. What a large section of our society practises today in the name of “women empowerment” is actually pseudo-feminism. Women empowerment isn’t about suppressing our men and dominating them just to get back to them out of sheer revenge for the years of patriarchy. That’s not how it’s done. And also, I don’t feel feminism is about equality. Men and women can never be equal. We are a team. I’m sure that the world will be a better place for our men if we could all start thinking this way.
Aptly said. We rant about equality but don’t really
mean it. Your perspective has taken a true turn in representing dashabhuja irrespective of sex. Nowadays both men and women work hand in hand in both house and office so why only women be called dashabhuja?
I think times have changed and men have become more aware of how much pressure is there on a woman in general. Expectations to top it all. But its good hubby shares the house work. However against our ego it is, we were made to take care of our kids and our home more than anything else.
First of all the pictures are so beautiful. They remind me of Kolkata days. Filled with nostalgia I read your article and found myself agreeing to how Durga is a perfect representation of modern women. A multitasking women who loves family and can fight a war alone if needed. Somewhat like the kangana ranaut situation in Maharashtra.
What a great post to write about and these powerful images are so perfect for the post. I believe that we as a society talk a lot about women empowerment and most of the times do nothing at all. At times, many women play the gender card to get things done. I think that is also unfair on the men too. Plus I believe to make the world a better place we men and women together need to focus on being better humans rather striving to win the gender rat race.