Veteran actor K Chiranjeevi recently stated that he wants his son, Ram Charan, to have a boy to ‘continue the legacy’. His statement highlights how deeply entrenched patriarchy is in Indian households and underlines the need to address it by profoundly understanding Indic concepts of karm and dharm.
Patriarchy when examined through the lens of karm – principle of action and its inevitable consequences – and dharm, moral and cosmic order, unfolds a dynamic relationship between societal structures and individual responsibilities.
Karm, as a metaphysical principle, emphasises inevitability of consequences that arise from actions. Every action, whether it perpetuates dominance, subjugation, or liberation, generates outcomes that shape individual destinies and collective social realities. Patriarchal practices, such as institutionalisation of gender-based hierarchies, have created entrenched systems of inequity. These actions, viewed through the lens of karm, are contributors to societal disharmony. Injustices embedded in such practices reverberate across generations, impeding social progress and spiritual evolution.
Actions undertaken with awareness, compassion, and a commitment to equity can counteract negative consequences of past deeds. This principle highlights ethical responsibility of individuals and communities to address structural imbalances perpetuated by patriarchy. Through conscious, dharmic actions, societies can rewrite karmic patterns that have historically favoured one gender over another, fostering inclusivity and mutual respect.
Dharm serves as the guiding principle of moral and cosmic order. It emphasises harmony, justice, and the uplift of all beings. Rooted in the Vedic concept, the foundational cosmic order, dharm demands that human actions align with universal principles of fairness and balance. Patriarchal systems, by disrupting this harmony, represent adharm, leading to social discord and spiritual disconnection. When women are excluded from positions of authority or denied equal opportunities, this imbalance violates dharm.
The philosophical foundations of dharm challenge alignment of patriarchal practices with its core metaphysical principles. The concept of Ardhanarishwar, depicting Shiv and Parvati as an inseparable whole, exemplifies the ideal of gender equality. Patriarchal systems that marginalise one gender or prioritise hierarchical dominance contradict these spiritual ideals.
Contemporary practices are beginning to challenge entrenched patriarchal norms. Female spiritual leaders advocate for inclusivity in Hindu rituals. The increasing number of women pujaris, priests, across India further exemplifies the shift towards challenging patriarchal monopolies in spiritual leadership. Festivals such as Karwa Chauth, traditionally requiring women to fast for their husbands’ well-being, are now practised by many couples as mutual acts of devotion. These shifts reflect the broader principle of samatva, equity.
Philosophically, addressing patriarchy involves not only critiquing its historical and cultural roots but also recognising its karmic implications.
Authored by: Vijay Hashla