Warriors And Goddesses: Patriarchy And The Pacification Of Female Power In The Myths Of Chitra And Sekhmet

This paper explores the portrayal of the warrior princess from Mahabharata, Chitra and the Egyptian mythological lioness-headed goddess, Sekhmet, looking through the glasses of patriarchy and gender-based violence. Both the characters manifest immense power and they challenge all the traditional gender roles, yet their stories reflect the structural suppression of female strength within the patriarchal societies. Chitra’s internal conflict between her acceptance as a woman and her warrior identity highlights the pressure of how women are forced into societal beauty standards and femininity. On the other hand, Sekhmet’s raging power to destruct is feared, yet controlled by the male gods which depicts the suppression of female anger and liberty. Through the in-depth analysis of primary sources, including the Egyptian religious texts and Mahabharata, the study examines how these mythical characters reflect the patterns of gender-based violence in a broader way, i.e. not necessarily physical harm but the symbolic taming and appeasement of women’s power. By attributing the modern discussions on patriarchy in this paper, it helps in the deeper understanding of how mythology often acts as a mirror to the societal structures that restricts female growth.

Keywords: Mythology, Patriarchy, Gender-based Violence, Female Power