HOW THE WORLD SEES YOU

Manoroma was dressing up in front of the mirror. She adjusted her pallu broadly, covering up her upper body so that she is fully impeccable to the world. She had put a little kohl on her wide eyes, accentuating them slightly. She had done that after many years of protecting herself from the world that might taunt her for doing so after her husband’s demise. She had stopped going out, meeting her friends for fun, and having some relief and happiness. It was not because she was financially dependent on him; she was quite secure enough to take care of herself in a very respectable way. What was the reason for the prohibition?

Most of the women consider themselves vulnerable and completely surrender to the norms of society; Manoroma is no exception.  Her mind is functioning in a way that has been trained as per the do(s) and don’t(s) for a widow. But the main catch is, the world will see you as you see yourself. Maybe she has understood this concept and decided to be a little bold and put the kohl in her beautiful eyes, not daring enough to beautify herself much. The vulnerable woman, when sees herself in front of the mirror as such, the world will sympathise with her. If she considers herself strong, the world would perceive her as undaunted and would not attempt to tarnish her easily, although they might talk about her behind her back. If she makes intrepid statements, people would think twice before speaking up to her.

The world would perceive the notion that you have thrown out to them. Can we go back to the history when Sita stood up for herself and did not agree to the ‘agnipariksha’ second time, but rather chose to merge herself with Mother Earth? Or Draupadi, who had challenged the Kauravas for the humiliation she had faced by them, and the Mahabharata had happened? These women had presented themselves in front of the mirror as those courageous personas, and the world still considers them as such. Introspection within will discern the image outside that one is seeking.