The format of my last reading notes was all pen and paper, physical notes that I had written down in a notebook. For the reading notes this week, I have decided to simply type them in the blog post rather than write them down. The reading option that I have chosen, is part of a collection of 3 stories about ideal Indian women. I decided to focus on the story of Promila because it was most interesting to me, and I feel like it was the most applicable story to be consistent with my theme of love.
Promila Reading Notes
Wife of Indrajit, she was a fair and gentle princess.
-The depiction of Promila has some symbolization connecting her to the concepts of purity, kindness, beauty, sweetness, etc.
"She was a beautiful girl, and she loved her husband with all her heart and soul, and he returned her love with every fiber of his being."
- Indrajit and Promila have a very loving and caring relationship.
- She seems to be infatuated with Indrajit, who adores her just as much.
Promila proves to be devoted, especially when Indrajit goes off to fight.
- She was hasty in helping him dress for war, even claiming that it was her 'duty'
- When Indrajit told her of his plans to leave, she stated that she did not mean to hinder him and asked if she could join him
(I think that she doesn't ever want to be apart from him even if he has responsibilities or duties that require him to leave)
- "Your [Indrajit's] word is my [Promila's] law" - whatever he tells her to do, she will loyally listen and obey.
"No gates can hold me back, no enemy intimidate me. I go to join my Lord. Who follows?"
Promila is not just a loving helpless wife, she has the tenacity and capability to help her husband when she thinks he is in danger. She is willing to disguise herself as a night with her fellow maidens and go to find her husband. The passion and love she has for him has no bounds, and she is prepared to fight in a war for him.
"All who watched the triumphant progress of Promila thought it a privileged sight and that they had never beheld anyone os dazzlingly beautiful as the Crown Princess was that night, and they likened her to a moon, surrounded by a court of stars"
It is clear that Promila is very beautiful and radiant. All the other characters always admire not only her spirit and her charm, but her beauty and elegance as well.
Promila refers to Indrajit in the most adoring ways
-the light and hope of [her] life
In the end, Promila ends up dying for her love. She burns with him at his funeral because she can't bear to be apart. The couple throughout the story seem to be dependent on each other.
Bibliography:
This story is from the book 'Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala' (1919) by Sunity Devee. It can be found free online at Freebookapalooza.com, where you may also read about other women such as Damayanti, Sunity, Savitri, etc.
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