DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrsml.v13.i6.2
Sujit Mandal
Independent Researcher
West Bengal, India
Abstract
The intersection of ancient Indian literature and contemporary gender studies presents a complex field of inquiry that demands a multidimensional approach. This paper examines the relevance of Manusmriti, one of the foundational Dharmaśāstra texts in Sanskrit literature, and other classical Sanskrit texts in the context of modern gender discourses. By revisiting ancient prescriptions on gender roles, duties, and social norms, this study offers a critical analysis of how these texts have historically influenced societal perceptions of gender and how they are interpreted or contested in the present. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that blends textual analysis, feminist critique, and historiography, this paper explores both the prescriptive roles assigned to women and the subversive readings of feminine agency within Sanskrit literature. While Manusmriti has been both revered and vilified across historical timelines, its impact on legal, religious, and cultural frameworks remains significant. The study also investigates how contemporary feminist scholars and sociologists revisit these texts to either challenge their patriarchal foundations or to retrieve empowering narratives buried within them. The findings suggest that while certain aspects of Manusmriti are incongruent with modern values of gender equality, Sanskrit texts also contain progressive elements that can contribute to a nuanced understanding of gender dynamics in Indian society today.
Keywords
Manusmriti; Sanskrit Literature; Gender Studies; Feminism in India; Dharmaśāstra; Patriarchy; Feminist Hermeneutics; Ancient Texts and Modernity; Intersectionality; Women in Sanskrit Texts
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