Mahabharata is a unique epic in the sense that it reflects the ancient culture of Indian peninsula. The epic is not merely the greatest repository of Indian culture but it describes the genealogy, the history, the geography and the flora and fauna of this vast country. It also presents Indian traditions and cultures in all their variety as well as the milieu and the social order. It is the richest storehouse of Akhyanas, Upakhyanas, myths, legends and tales. It depicts the life of Indian woman in all its colour and variety. In this book, the author presents a complete picture of woman’s life in the Mahabharata, dealing with her status, education, aims, fields of activity, marriage, achievements, family life, social life, moral codes, economic condition, political life, style of living, including house, dress, food, etiquettes etc. The characters woven in the epic reflect the vision of the society about women. While Draupadi reveals a most serene and touching profile of Indian woman, Gandhari and Kunti as well as Devayani, Savitri and Damayanti are the most inspiring characters since they visualize an undeterred spirit of struggle and perseverance. The book is immensely useful for the research scholars, teachers and students of Sanskrit literature and ancient Indian culture. It will work as an encyclopeadia for the readers of woman studies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vanamala Bhawalkar
Daughter of Justice N.S. Lokur of Bombay High Court and born in 1914 at Belgaum (Karnataka). Dr. Vanamala Bhawalkar graduated from the University of Bombay with Honours in Sanskrit. She passed M.A. in Ancient Indian History and Culture securing two gold medals from Calcutta University and M.A. in Sanskrit with first class from Nagpur University. She is married to Prof. D.R. Bhawalkar, an eminent Scientist of International reputation. She secured Ph.D. in Sanskrit and retired as Reader Sanskrit Department, University of Saugor. She has made important contribution to Indological studies through her books-Mahabharata main Nari and Woman in Mahabharata as well as her remarkable study of Eighteen Eminent Women in the Mahabharata. Mrs Bhawalkar has won a number of literacy awards. Her play sansaracha saripath as the best Marathi drama after independence was honoured with first prize in 1954. Her two Sangitikas in Sanskrit Ramvangamanam and Parvatipermashvaraiam in various metres and set to classical music, have been staged in her direction at Sagar, Bhopal, Ujjain and Indore. Udhar Ka Pati a popular Hindi play by her has been telecast, pad-thund: a one act play in Sanskrit, broadcast by Air, Panchmahakavayashu chandra: a monography (have been awarded). Two bellets-Sitaharanm and Shakuntala besides a number of poems and research articles, a Children Drama Anndevata and Shri Sataysaisadacharsahita, Shri Satyasairamraksha and Shri Satyasaistotramala are her other publications. Dr. Vanamala Bhawalkar has been honoured with the prestigious Tirumalamba Award by Shaswati Trust of Bangalore as the best living woman author in Sanskrit.
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