LOVE AND MARRIAGE IN INDIA. FROM THE HISTORY OF WOMEN - BARBARA GRABOWSKA

Discover the fascinating world of male-female relationships in ancient India, analyzed through the lens of literature and culture. Barbara Grabowska's book is an insightful study that takes the reader into a kaleidoscope of colorful themes concerning gods, heroes and their relationships with heavenly and earthly women. Immerse yourself in the epic tales of Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as other classical Sanskrit and Bengali texts that show the complexity of Indian relationships.

• Insightful analysis of Indian literature
• Colorful themes on male-female relationships
• Study on erotic scandals on the Indian Olympus
• Reflections on the ways of contracting marriages
• Relationships of Krishna with women
• Two images of women: the ideal wife and the ideal lover
• Feminist discourse using the figure of Sita as an example

The author points out that two opposing images of women have emerged in Indian literature: the ideal wife, devoid of will and individuality, treating her husband like a god, and the ideal lover, a partner in amorous pleasures, a symbol of eroticism. Both of these patterns were created from a male point of view in a society dominated by patriarchal structures. The figure of Sita, a devoted wife, in feminist discourse serves as evidence of the approval of the suffering of women subjected to male tyranny. The whole creates a multi-threaded message giving testimony to the dialogue of cultures and epochs taking place in India.

Barbara Grabowska, professor at the Department of South Asia of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University of Warsaw, deals with the literature and religion of India, especially Bengal. Her work is not only a literary analysis, but also a deep cultural study that allows you to understand the complexity of Indian social relations and customs. This book is an excellent introduction to the world of Indian literature and culture, as well as an inspiration for further research and reflection on the role of women in society.

The following chapters illustrate clear thought structures, and the attractive topic extends the field of reception beyond the circle of specialists and students. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian culture, women's history and oriental literature. Let yourself be carried away on a fascinating journey through India, where love and marriage intertwine into an extraordinary story about life and tradition.

Edition: Pages: 452, Format: 14.5x20.5 cm. Year of publication: 2014, cover: paperback. Publisher: Dialog Wydawnictwo Akademickie. Number of pages: 452. Cover: paperback. Format: 14.5x20.5 cm.