The Forgotten Feminism of Indian Mythology | Eika Chaturvedi Banerjee | The Literature Lounge

In this episode of The Literature Lounge, author of ‘Tales of the Panchkanya’, Eika Chaturvedi Bannerjee, talks about the rich tapestry of feminine wisdom embodied by the Panchakanya – Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara, and Mandodari delving into the timeless tales of these legendary figures, revealing their profound influence on Indian mythology and cultural heritage. Through an engaging discussion, she sheds light on the virtues, challenges, and resilience of these extraordinary women, providing insights into their enduring legacy.

Join us as we journey through history, uncovering the deep-rooted significance of the Panchakanya and their relevance in contemporary times.
Drawing from decades in the corporate world, rigorous engagement with ancient texts, and an intergenerational collaboration with her mother, Eika speaks about reclaiming mythology from moral simplification, restoring choice and consequence to women’s narratives, and making Indian wisdom relevant without diluting its depth.

A conversation about stories as living memory, feminism beyond binaries, and wisdom as a way of being—not belief.

What this episode is REALLY about
Not mythology as fantasy.
Not feminism as a slogan.
Not wisdom frozen in the past.

It’s about:
Panchakanya reimagined: Ahalya, Tara, Mandodari, Kunti, and Draupadi as agents of choice
The meaning of “Kanya”: Innocence, agency, and why purity narratives fail
Multiple truths in myth: How context reshapes stories across time
Feminism in Indian wisdom: Beyond victimhood, beyond binaries
Choice and consequence: Living fully with decisions made
Gender-agnostic themes: Rage, fidelity, power, withdrawal, and desire
Writing in Hindi: Language as access, authenticity, and cultural memory
Intergenerational storytelling: Mother–daughter perspectives in authorship
Corporate life to conscious purpose: Eika’s journey across her “three lives”
Ekam Resonance: Bringing ancient wisdom into contemporary leadership and life


If you’ve ever questioned the stories you were taught, wondered whose voices were softened or silenced, or felt the pull to return to wisdom without abandoning modernity—This episode offers rare clarity for anyone interested in Indian mythology, feminism, literature, leadership, and consciousness.
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Chapters
0:00 – Introduction: Books, stories, and lived wisdom
3:49 – Why the Panchakanya matter
7:01 – Timeless themes, not ancient relics
9:39 – Why Panchakanya is written in Hindi
18:13 – Leaving corporate life to find articulation
21:48 – The meaning of “Eika” and Shakti
23:05 – How to begin engaging with Indian wisdom
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