Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shankutala
Early this week, I read Sunity Devee's rendition of Sita's story. For the rest of this week's Ramayana readings, I decided to read more of Devee's work. This time I focused on Promila's story. Promila is Ravana's son's wife. Promila was a very dedicated wife. When Indrajit set out to defeat Rama for killing his brother, Birbahoo, she felt empty. "Without him, life became a void, a pathless chasm, into which she could not see." When Indrajit didn't return at sunset, Promila became so distressed that she decided to set out in search of him. "No gates can hold me back, no enemy intimidate me. I go to join my lord." She was so adamant on being with her husband that she risked her life. It was saddening to read about Promila and Indrajit's last good byes before Indrajit left to face Rama and Lakshmana. Promila tried to be strong and put on a brave face, but in the end, the grief of losing her husband overcame her. When Promila found out about Indrajit's death, she was distraught. Promila was so devoted to her husband that she literally couldn't live without him. If I was to write a story about Promila, I would definitely change her ending. I would write her as a strong and independent woman who was able to live happily with the memories of her beloved Indrajit.
Bibliography. Nine Ideal Indian Women, Sunity Devee. (1919)
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