RE-VISIT OF THE FIRE-DAUGHTER -- AN URGENT NEED OF THE PRESENT TIME

The two Indian Women Prototypes are Sita and Draupadi, the female protagonists of the epics, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Both are ayonijas, not born of a woman. While Sita was a foundling child from earth, Draupadi was born of fire, and their characters define their birth. Sita was patient, pliant and firm; Draupadi was fiery, proud with an unbending will. The history of both the women relates a saga of suffering and disgrace, but points to their unshakeable determination to establish their individuality. The qualities of both Sita and Draupadi are unquestionably essential for any woman to ascertain her identity. However, the present scenario in India, especially of demeaning and humiliating women and girl-children, demands a volcanic strength in women-kind to face all trials and degradations. Creative writers have brought out many works highlighting the iron-will of these two great women. This paper ventures to focus on Draupadi, the Fire-Daughter and on her thunder-like quality, valour and virtue, which swayed away all the wrong-doers in her fire-stride. The discussion will be mainly based on Subramania Bharathiar's Pancali Sabadam, and a few other related texts.