Worst mothers-in-law in mythology

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1/22

Mothers in law vs. daughters in law

This is a never ending war – the one between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law! Such is their popularity that they have been written about in the puranas, books have been dedicated to them, television soaps, movies etc. have been made in the honour of their life-long tiff!

2/22

MIL and DIL at war!

But why do two women who barely know each other turn enemies as soon as the former’s son marries the latter? Why does the mother-in-law view the young daughter-in-law as competition from day one? Psychologist have an interesting term for this situation; they call it the ‘Mother-in-law syndrome’!

3/22

What is the ‘mother-in-law’ syndrome?

A mother’s continuous interference in the marriage of her child – boy or girl, that which includes high stress levels being experienced by the previously happy couple due to their mother-in-law’s disastrous influence or imposed ideas in their lives. Such is its effect that it is now accepted and recognised as a proper condition within the psychiatric circles. The good news is, it is curable!

4/22

The Mother-in-Law syndrome

However, such behaviour by mother-in-laws is, in fact, a mental illness that stems from a serious inferiority complex. The mothers believe that the new person in their child’s life is definitely going to snatch their baby away from them and will do anything in their power to not let go! Unfortunately, they fail to realise that in the process they ruin their relationship not only with the daughter-in-law but also with the sons.

5/22

Worst mothers in law in mythology

But this phenomenon isn't new! It has been in existence during the early stages of civilisation and Vedic times. Let us take a look at the worst mothers-in-law according to mythology! The worst mothers-in-law in mythology...

6/22

Kaikeya

Perhaps one of the most popular m-i-ls of the lot in today's time, Kaikeya is the woman everyone universally blames for lord Ram and Goddess Sita’s 12-year long exile. Instigated by Manthara, her lady in waiting, queen Kaikeya was blinded with jealousy on learning that Lord Ram and not her son Bharat, was entitled to the throne. Having once granted a wish from King Dasharath, she chose this very opportune moment to express her desire. She asked for Bharat to be made king while Ram was to be sent on a 12-year long exile.

7/22

Ram gives in to Kaikeya's wishes

Being the ever-dutiful son, Ram accepted her wishes and gave up his throne. He chose to live in the forest as a hermit. Sadly, Goddess Sita had to bear the brunt of such a wish. Due to the pain caused by Ram’’s separation, King Dasharath died soon after.

8/22

Sita follows Ram

She followed her husband into the forest. She had to give up her comfortable life as a princess and live like a commoner with limited means and the rest is history. Sita was abducted, kidnapped and forced to live in Ravana’s kingdom. Once rescued, she was not spared still. She had to give a test to prove chastity once she returned to Ayodhya as the queen. Again, she was asked to leave the kingdom as her subjects cast aspertions on her character. Taking refuge in Valmiki’s ashram, she raised her twin sons alone. However, Kaikeya never intended that herhusband die or Goddess Sita suffer at the hands of Ravan. But her wishing Ram's exile led to these events.

9/22

Satyavati

Satyavati [step mother of Bhishma and the grand mother of Dhritarashtra and Pandu] was known to be a powerful woman who got what she wished for! Much to the chagrin of her widowed daughters-in-law Ambika and Ambalika, she asked them to produce sons with Veda Vyasa who was a hideous and scary looking man. While this appears to have been a rare but accepted custom in those times to ensure that a childless widow could have an heir.

10/22

The birth of Vidura

Not satisfied with Dhritarashtra being born blind, Satyavati sent Ambika a second time to Veda Vyasa after her son was born to produce another heir. Ambika however was very terrified of his appearance. So she sent one of her maids instead, and thus Vidura was born.

11/22

Kunti and Draupadi

On the outset, Kunti was the best mother-in-law anyone could have asked for! Draupadi and Kunti shared a good relationship. They were good to each other and one respected the other. However, Kunti was no ordinary woman. She was Vasudev (Krishna’s father) sister and had supernatural powers of her own. Plus, she was aware of the family politics too.

12/22

Sharing Draupadi

When Arjuna, along with his brothers, presented Draupadi to her as bheeksha, she had asked them to share. Somehow Kunti knew that if Draupadi remained married to only one son, Arjuna, the other four brothers would be very jealous of him. This had nothing to do with Arjun being the first one to be married but with ‘lust’. Draupadi was known for her sensuality and unmatched beauty, and this could be a cause of concern among her sons. Therefore, Kunti decided that a woman or rather ‘beauty’ should not be the cause of division among her sons. It was important for the Pandavas to stay united and hence, even though she realised that Draupadi was not bheeksha, she asked her sons to share her.

13/22

Polyandry vs. Polygamy

In the early era, the rate of infant mortality was really high and people did not live longer. Therefore, polygamy was a preferred way of life. This is because when a man married two or more wives, the family could have more children. Given out patriarchal society, this was more acceptable than a wife having more than one husband. But polyandry was beneficial too and was practised in certain cultures. This is because sharing one wife ensured no division of land and property in the family. However, in today’s modern society both these methods are looked down upon.

14/22

Kunti and Hidimba

When the Pandavas escaped from Lakshagraha, they took refuge in a dense forest. They were tired and very exhausted and hence, they fell asleep. Only Bheem stayed awake to gaurd his family. The Pandavas were unaware that it was in this forest where Hidimb the Rakshasa lived with his sister, Hidimba. The demon smelled the Pnadavas from afar and asked his sister to lure the healthy Bheem into his den to be eaten. Following her brother’s commands, Hidimba approached Bheem but she soon fell in love with him. To attract Bheem, she turned into a beautiful woman and expressed her desire to marry him. In the process, she also revealed her brother’s identity as well as her’s and the real intentions.

15/22

Bheem kills Hidimb

An enraged Bheem confronted Hidimb and killed him but refused to marry Hidimba. He wanted to kill her too but Yudhishtir stopped him and Kunti ordered Bheem to marry Hidimba. This was not because Kunti took pity on her. It was because Kunti was far-sighted and she orders Bheem to marry Hidimba because she needs allies for her sons and herself in their condition.

16/22

Kunti orders Bheem to marry Hidimba

Kunti, therefore orders Bheem, “You know Hidimba loves you… Have a son by her I wish it. He will work for our welfare. My son. I do not want a no from you, I want your promise now, in front of both of us.” Actually Kunti viewed Hidimba only as a tool who would provide their family with a son and this son, while he had no claim to the riches, he would prove very useful in the war against the Kauravas. Bheem and Hidimba’s son Ghatotkach saved Arjun from Karana’s weapon in the battlefield and ssacrificed his own life.

17/22

Psyche and Venus (Aphrodite) in Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, the story of Venus and Psyche is famous. Eons ago, a King was blessed with three beautiful daughters. While the first two were beautiful, the youngest daughter had no match in beauty. She was Psyche. Such was a beauty that people in the kingdom started worshipping her and neglected Goddess Venus. Now this did not go well with Venus and she was not only angry but jealous as well. Therefore, Venus ordered her son Cupid – the cherubic angel who carries arrows dipped in love, to make Psyche fall in love with a hideous monster. But this was not to be!

18/22

Cupid and Psyche

When Cupid spotted Psyche, he was enchanted by her beauty so much that he dropped the arrow meant for the monster and pricked himself. Hence, he fell deeply in love with her. But he was too afraid of his mother. So save himself and Psyche, he took her to a palace where she was waited upon by servants who were invisible. Cupid would only visit her in the night and she must never try to see him! As time flew, Psyche, though in love with her husband, was not satisfied. When her sisters came to meet her, they grew jealous and instigated her against her husband. Psyche then broke her promise to her husband and tried to see him.

19/22

Psyche, Venus and Cupid

Heartbroken, Cupid left the castle. Psyche roamed about the realms in search of her husband and finally approached her mother-in-law Venus. Now Venus was very angry and ordered Psyche to go through very difficult tasks. Fortunately, Psyche managed to pass each one of them and Cupid asked Jupiter to intervene. Only did then Venus forgive Psyche and Cupid.

20/22

Phaedra and Hippolytus

Another interesting story from Greek mythology is that of Phaedra and Hippolytus. The daughter of King Minos from Crete and his queen, Pasiphae, Phaedra was married to Theseus. However, an interesting development was that Phaedra had an elder sister, Adriane, who was married to Theseus. Theseus abandoned Adriane to marry Phaedra but unfortunately, none of the sisters had a successful relationship with him.

21/22

Phaedra falls in love with Hippolytus

Cursed by Aphrodite, Phaedra unfortunately fell in love with Hippolytus. Now Hippolytus, the son of Theseus and Hippolyta, was known for his chastity and Phaedra was his mother-in-law. But this did not stop her from having feelings for him. However, being chaste Hippolytus did not pay heed to her advances and overcome by shame and unrequited love, Phaedra commits suicide.

22/22

Phaedra blames Hippolytus

But even as she dies she leaves a note for her husband claiming Hippolytus as the reason. Enraged, Theseus kills Hippolytus. The unfortunate man lost his life because his mother-in-law felt jilted.

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