Kunti didn’t undergo any women empowerment program but still she was acknowledged by all. How can we create an environment in which women can have all around growth in a natural way?

Kunti, one of the central characters of great epic Mahabharata, was born as Prita to Yadava Prince SuraShena. She was adopted by King Kunti Bhoja, as he was childless, and then he renamed her as Kunti. She was brought up and loved by Kunti Bhoja like her own daughter. She was married to King Pandu of Kuru Dynasty. She is the mother of Karna and the first three Pandavas – Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva were born to Mardi and brought up by Kunti.

Women’s empowerment can be done through

• right to influence social change for themselves and others
• their ability to determine their own choices for righteousness
• promoting women’s sense of self-worth
• being foresightful
• empowering the world through motherhood.

 Kunti depicted as a mild-mannered woman with high moral and social values in Mahabharata is highly inspiring as an empowered women without going through any training sessions. Let’s interpret her exemplary life and take lessons to stand out as an empowered woman in a natural way.

Right to influence social change for themselves and others

Once, Sage Durvasa made a visit to Kunti-Bhoja. He really liked the services and comforts that Kunti offered during his visit and blessed her with a powerful mantra so that she can get a son from anyone she wishes. Out of curiosity and innocence, Kunti invoked the sun god to confirm it if it was true indeed. Karna was secretly born to an unmarried Kunti in her teenage, though excited on seeing the baby, fearing outrage and backlash from society over her premarital pregnancy, Kunti had no choice but to abandon the newly born Karna adrift in a basket on the Ganges, in the hope that he finds foster parents. This act of hers had been unhealed wound lifelong. Later when King Pandu died, Kunti chose over being alive for her five children as they were left with no one rather than ending her life with King Pandu, by Sati Practice. Here she brought in right to influence social change for herself and others. She has outgrown her societal fear unlike she did in her teen, considering her children as her primary responsibility.

Empowering the world through Motherhood.

It was the beginning of a lifelong duty for Kunti, and she fulfilled her motherly duties with all her heart. She ensured that the princes got right education, learnt right values, and got their due as the rightful heirs to the throne of Hastinapur. It was not easy, indeed a painful journey but Kunti’s mindset was of acceptance. Pandavas endured troubles by dangerous pranks of Kaurava Princes and small injustices of Caretaker King Dhritrashtra. Kunti, understood the need to stay calm and humble while her children were growing up and wait for the right time before bringing up the issue of the future king of Hastinapur and the inheritance of her children. So, she brought up Pandavas in such a way that she never gave her children any shortcuts to become strong externally but internally she made them super strong. With patience and perseverance, she brought up her sons in a manner befitting Kshatriya dharma. Through the power of motherhood, she was able to bring up Kings who could empower women under their Kingdom

Being Foresightful

Kunti was more foresightful, It can be seen clear from how she made Bhima marry Hidimba so that she could make her participate in the Mahabharata war. Also, when Arjuna brings Draupadi winning in Swayam Var, Kunti without seeing says Arjuna to share whatever bheeksha he has bought to his brothers as well. When she comes to know that it was not bheeksa but Draupadi, she regrets for her statement. When Yudhistra consoles her, she never tried to withdrew her words. This act of hers can be interpreted that she might have foresighted that this marriage will make his sons stay united with the immense potential that Draupadi has.

Promoting women’s sense of self-worth

Kunti has been facing constant hiccups and agony for deserting her premarital born son Karna. Despite all odds and social boundaries towards Kunti she loves Karna immensely as she herself realised a sense of self-worth as Karna’s mother. Kunti wasn’t much upset at the loss of Indraprastha and the magical palace that Maya built for their family, but her anguish and empathy at Draupadi’s insult by Duryodhan and his brother Duhshashan led her to provoke her sons to fight for justice and revenge claim their rightful inheritance even if it meant declaring war on close family. A self-respecting woman herself, the shaming of her daughter-in-law in full public view was something she could not forgive. Here Kunti was standing for justice for Draupadi’s self-respect. The intent of Kunti to stand for women’s sense of self worth is much needed one in the current society.

Determine their own choices for righteousness

While hunting Pandu, shot at a couple of deer, only to find out that it was Rishi Kindama and his wife who were making love in the form of deer. Sage Kindama then cursed Pandu, the curse being that was he to approach his wives with the intent of making love, he would die. When Kunti, learnt about Pandu’s curse, Kunti revealed him about her boon blessed by Sage Durvasa. Pandu excited, requested Kunti to use the boon and have children. Kunti determined right choices and had children Yudhistra with God Yama, Bhima with God Vayu and Arjuna with God Indra. She also helped Madri to use her boon once and have child but she rightly refused to give the boon to Madri again. Kunti took choices consciously for righteousness and made use of her boon.

Kunti, though slipped and faced a downfall by giving birth to Karna during her teens, and regretted her mistake for the whole life, it is highly inspiring the way she bounced back from her past and stood tall by the way she fought to protect her sons amidst encircling treachery and hatred. She guided them along the path of dharma. Towards the end she built and sustained political alliances with foresight and regained honour and lost kingdom through her sons. Once it was done, she had the strength of detachment and walked away into forest. Truly She portrays a remarkable maternal heroism!!