Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Draupadi’s questions

Draupadi is supposed to have asked Yudhiisthira wheter he had lost himself before staking her. Two contrary opionions were expressed in response to this question.

Once, that even if Yudhisthira had lost himself earlier, his wife remained under his control, so he could stake her.

Two, that an unfree man (as Yudhisthira was when he had lost thimself) could not stake another person.

The matter remained unresolved; ultimately, Dhritarashtra restored to that Pandavas and Draupadi their personal freedom.

A. Explain the message that goes after reading this episode.

B. Which of the two views, do you agree? Support with your arguments.

C. Compare the status of women at that time at present.

Solution

A. During Epic Age gambling was a very prominent social evil. This practice was followed even by members of a royal family. The social position of women was very humble. They were considered as personal property of their husband. Even a member of a royal family like Yudhisthira staked his wife, Draupadi in gambling.
There was slavery in India during Epic Age.
B. I agree with the second view. I can give the following arguments in support of my view:

Yudhisthira was not a freeman when he had lost himself. He could not stake another person i.e. Draupadi. As later on, Dhritarashtra restored to the Pandavas and Draupadi their personal freedom, it meant that Pandavas were regranted freedom.

C. A comparison of the status of women: At that time (i.e. during the days of the Mahabharata) the women were not enjoying full freedom and equal social status. They were considered person. I property by royal male members. They were even staked even by their life-partners in gambling. On present time women are more awakened. They are equal citizens of a democratic system. Generally, constitution of a country grants them equality, freedom and right

of education and equal opportunity to hold highest public office.

Some More Questions From Kinship, Caste And Class Chapter

Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha Sukta?

The following is an excerpt from the Mahabharata in which Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava, speaks to Sanjaya, a messenger:

Sanjaya, convey my respectful greetings to all the Brahmanas and the chief priest of the house of Dhritarashtra. I bow respectfully to teacher Drona .... I hold the feet of our preceptor Kripa .... (and) the chief of the Kurus, the great Bhishma. I bow respectfully to the old king (Dhritarashtra). I greet and ask after the health of his son Dpryodhana and his younger brother ......Also greet all the young Kuru warriors who are our brothers, sons and grandsons......Greet above all him, who is to us like father and mother, the wise Vidura (born of a slave woman)......I bow to the elderly ladies who are known as our mothers. To those who are our wives you say this, 'I hope they are well-protected.'...... Our daughters-in-law born of good families and mothers of children greet on my behalf. Embrace for me those who are our daughters..... The beautiful, fragrant, well-dressed courtesans of ours, you should also greet. Greet the slave women and their children, greet the aged, the maimed (and) the helpless.

Try and identify the criteria use to make this list in terms of age, gender, kinship ties. Are there any other criteria? For each category, explain why they are placed in a particular position in the list.

This is what a famous historian of Indian literature Maurice Winternitz, wrote about the Mahabharata: “just because the Mahabharata represents more of an entire literature.... and contains so much and so many kinds of things....(it) give (s) us an insight into the most profound depths of the soul of the Indian folk.' Discuss.

Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a single author.

How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.

Discuss the evidence that suggests that Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed.

Compare the map in this chapter with Map 1 in chapter 2. List the mahajanapadas and cities located near the Kuru-Panchala lands.

Find out about retellings of the Mahabharata in other languages. Discuss how they handle any two of the episodes of the text described in this chapter, explaining any similarities or differences that you notice.

For Daily Free Study Material Join wiredfaculty

Kinship, Caste And Class

Some More Questions From Kinship, Caste And Class Chapter

Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha Sukta?

Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a single author.

How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.

Discuss the evidence that suggests that Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed.

Compare the map in this chapter with Map 1 in chapter 2. List the mahajanapadas and cities located near the Kuru-Panchala lands.

Find out about retellings of the Mahabharata in other languages. Discuss how they handle any two of the episodes of the text described in this chapter, explaining any similarities or differences that you notice.

Mock Test Series

NCERT Sample Papers

Entrance Exams Preparation

Phone Number

Email Address

Loaction