Culture Should Not Chain Us
Beloved Shiva,
In this Hindu world, only women are asked to carry the signs of marriage. Once, both men and women did, but men abandoned it over time — while still expecting women to wear saris, bindis, and mangalsutras. And they roam in trousers with no symbols of commitment. I find this deeply unfair.
Perhaps you knew these thoughts of mine, dear Shiva — that is why my husband carries your presence. On the day of our wedding, I knew the last thing I should expect from him was attachment. He loves me deeply, yet he is not bound by possession. And in that very attitude, I found my own freedom.
When I raised the topic of wedding symbols, he smiled and said, “Let’s both wear rings, like they do in the Western world.”
I smiled too, knowing his words came from a place of fairness and equality.
Culture should not chain people (pun intended); it should uplift them. Traditions that limit must be set aside, and those that uplift — whatever their origin — should be embraced. Is this not your teaching, dear Shiva? When will this world understand you, my Lord?
Well, for now, they don’t even understand me. So how could they possibly understand you?
Love,
Sri Devi
Disclaimer: “Letters to Narayan” and “Letters to Shiva” are open letters I write to the divine. They are personal reflections on social issues — expressions of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences — offered as conversations with the divine. These writings address real-world concerns but are presented in a fictional style, much like Lakshmi writing to Narayan or Parvati writing to Shiva. The signature “Sri Devi” is a wordplay — Sri Devi is the collective name for all goddesses in Sri Vidya.
