I've been an ardent fan of Mahabharata, but now that I think about it, except for Draupadi, Amba etc. getting their rightful revenge, it actually normalises rape and materialising women during several instances... Here are a few I remember:
Sage Parashara has sex with Satyavati, in spite of her unwillingness, his only assurance to her that she will go back to being a virgin after giving birth to his child and she gets a “divine fragrance” (because apparently trauma is fine if you get perfume out of it; wth?)
Bheeshma "ACQUIRING" Ambika and Ambalika from their swayamvar for Vichitravirya.... Ok dude, V, at least come to show your face to your brides (uk what a swayamvar is, don't u).
Salva refusing to marry Amba, because he got defeated by Bheeshma.
Satyavati later calls on Vyasa to impregnate her daughters-in-law (who are clearly repulsed by him) by something called "niyoga", which does not make the term rape better in any way. And mind you, they were not even asked for consent. It is nauseating to think that Satyavati, herself, who went through something similar, did this. Oh, also after, Ambika, one of the victims, sends her maid to Vyasa, when he comes to impregnate her again... Ik it was a desperate move, Ambika, but way to go👏
Kunti accidentally calls upon Surya to test her powers, when she's still a child, and poor Lord Surya, bound by his duty, rapes her and leaves her to have his kid.
Pandu having no issue with the fact that multiple gods are sleeping with his wives, just so that he can have a son, which is obv not his.
Dhritarashtra impregnating Sugadha, Gandhari's maid, because Gandhari did not deliver her child past usual due... Apparently, being desperate for a child (i mean, a SON), is a valid reason to rape a maid
And yes, Draupadi is powerful. She questions the court. She refuses silence. But she and Bhanumati are both gambled away like property before anyone suddenly remembers morality exists.
Basically, Lineage > women. Sons > consent. Dynasty > dignity.
Both the epics show constant sexualisation of women and submissiveness.... Although they give valuable lessons and ALSO PROMOTE FEMALE EMPOWERMENT, you cannot ignore the crude misogyny baked into it.
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