The Period of the Epics and Status of women:

1. Dated broadly to twelfth century B.C., the Mahabharata is older than the Ramayana, believed to be dated to fifth century B.C. Don't we all know the story of Ramayana and Mahabharata? The two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata have played key roles in moulding (shaping) the ideology (beliefs) of Hindus as well as their attitudes toward. It thus becomes important to discuss the portrayal of women in the two epics when we are discussing the status of women.

2. The two great epics Ramayanan and Mahabharata have a strong influence on Indian society. Even today girls are being brought up to follow in the footsteps of Sita, the wife of Rama, Sita is considered the ideal Hindu woman because she surrendered all her personal desires and followed Rama to the forest. On the other hand, Draupadi the central female character of Mahabharata is a woman who exhibits a greater sense of independence and courage. Sita of Ramayana and Draupadi of Mahabharata are well known today.

3. In spite of their subjugated status vis-a-vis their husbands, they are universally respected and have become role-models. The self imposed blindness of Gandhari as a mark of respect for her blind husband did not lower her status as a queen. In fact, she gives out the message that a respectable wife is one who humbles herself vis-a-vis her husband. Ancient India's march to civilization was accompanied by the growth of social discrimination.