What does a woman want most in her life? Or what is the ultimate desire of a woman in her lifetime? What would she want most? What is clear from such a question is that someone has set a limit for a woman’s desires and dreams. Isn’t it? There may be many answers to the question, what does a woman want most in her life? For example, women desire to experience romance, to be cherished, and to reciprocate love. They yearn for affection, admiration, and attention, while also seeking understanding from everyone.  However, the truth is that these are not the things that a woman desires the most.  And what is it? Let me tell you a story. Everyone loves stories, right?

The king who had to marry the witch

Once upon a time, there was a king in a kingdom. The king requires a name. At present, we may refer to him as Udayavarman. He had intelligence and administrative skills. Then a nearby king, named Prathapa Varman, with more military capabilities defeated King Udayavarman in battle and captured his kingdom. Seeing Udayavarman’s youth and vitality, Maharaja Pratapa Varma, gave King Udayavarman a chance, instead of shutting him in prison as he usually did. If he gives the right answer to a question asked by the king within six months, he will be free for life or he will be hanged. This was the condition. Udyavarman agreed.  Because there is no other way. “What does a woman want most in her life?”  This was the question. The fact remains that the Prathapa Varman king had been pursuing this unanswered question for quite a while. He placed it on the head of the wise and youthful Udayavarman when the chance presented itself.

Udayavarman immediately began his journey to find the answer to this question. He wandered for the answer to this question beside all the important people of his kingdom. He sought answers to this question from teachers, scholars, high-born women, royal women, and many others. However, Udayavarman’s quest for a satisfactory answer proved futile as he sought answers from various sources. It became evident to him that the solution to this question was far more complex than he initially anticipated. The days are passing quickly…Udayavarman kept asking this question to everyone he met on the streets and by the wayside. There lived a witch in that country. Some told Udyavarman that this witch might be able to help him. Udayavarman decided to meet the witch. Udyavarman was taken aback upon witnessing the witch, as her horrifying appearance startled him.

Udayavarman conveyed to the witch the reason behind his visit. After pondering for a moment, the witch responded…”I will tell you the answer. But in return, you have to marry me. I will tell you the answer on the first night after the marriage.” On hearing this, Udyavarman found himself in a state of complete bewilderment. 

Is it better to marry this witch or to be killed? After thinking for a while, he said, “I agree”. The biggest thing for man is his own life! They got married the very next day. On that particular day, the king, in a state of intoxication, made his way back to the witch’s abode during the nighttime. This was a result of his unfortunate situation of being forced to marry a witch. Upon entering the room and unlocking the door, he was taken aback by the astonishing sight that lay before him. And there was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life, sitting there on the bed. Seeing his expression, she said. “This is me. I am like this. A wicked witch by day and a beautiful figure by night. I can give you an option if you want. Beautiful by day and witch by night. You can decide”.

When Udayavarman heard this, he started thinking. If she possesses beauty during daylight hours, she can be introduced to both his family and the local community. But at night? As soon as he thought about it, he got scared. Udayavarman was thinking for some time. Finally, he told her his answer.

 “I do not possess the authority to determine your appearance or lifestyle. As an individual with rational judgment, as a woman of common sense, it is your prerogative to make those choices. I am prepared to embrace any decision you arrive at”.

 Hearing this, the witch was very happy. She assured him that she would be with him day and night in her present beautiful form. Udayavarman was very happy. He suddenly remembered something and asked. “Let it all go, where is the answer that you assured me of revealing tonight”? The witch said, “You have answered that now”. “What a woman wants most in her life is to live according to her likes and desires”.  “A woman’s true beauty is revealed only when she lives according to her likes and desires, my dear Prince. The life of a woman who is condemned to live according to the interests of others will be so perverse.”

It means that a woman wants to live according to her desires and preferences. This was a story. So, do not ask questions about the story. But the answer to the question of what a woman wants most in her life is clear in this story.  She wants to live according to her desires and preferences. This is the utmost desire of a woman in her lifetime.

Who set a boundary on the aspirations of women?

But can a woman live according to her likes or desires? If a woman is allowed to live according to her likes or desires,  it means that she should have the freedom to do so.  Now there is a question that reasonably arises. Who does not allow a woman to live according to her wishes and desires? Who does not allow freedom to women? Which individuals or groups restrict women’s freedom? It was none other than this society of men and women that denied her freedom, it was every one of us who denied her freedom. Don’t forget that a woman is one of the most complex creatures in the universe.

Her power is her ability to create, at the same time, she is also very weak. That is what makes her different from others. Attempting to dominate women is a type of disability. Men are motivated by the irrational fear that they are weaker than women. That’s why he tries to suppress her. Remember, a woman is an independent person, women are not servants of men or inferior to men, they are equal partners in every sense. For an extended period, it has been customary to refer to women as the weaker gender. As a result of this categorization, they have endured the oppression of men and have been assigned a subordinate position within society. We always have the belief that certain fields are not suitable for women, this false belief is a creation of a male-centered society.

What is Freedom

Freedom refers to the condition of having the ability to pursue one’s desires and actions without any limitations imposed by others. Women’s freedom encompasses the autonomy of women to independently make choices and put them into action, to voice their perspectives, and to live without experiencing violence or prejudice. Women greatly value freedom as it empowers them to freely articulate their ideas and make choices. The freedom they possess enables them to embrace risks, acknowledge and rectify errors, acquire knowledge from these experiences, and enhance their abilities.

What things do women not have freedom for? If you ask, there is a lot to say. Women face discrimination almost everywhere, be it at home, in society, or at work. The hardships and tragedies that some women experience at home are indescribable. Many women suffer without telling anyone due to shame and fear.  It is disheartening to contemplate the countless women residing in oppressive environments, where they are denied the basic rights to nourish themselves adequately, dress according to their preferences, engage in social interactions, or even rest when fatigued from household chores. Apart from that, at least some women face many problems like dowry-related harassment and marital rape. They are regarded as slaves and deemed undeserving of any affection or joy.  Physical and mental health, education, right to property, and equal pay for equal work are the wishes of every woman.

A woman’s true beauty is revealed only when she lives according to her own likes and desires

 Do not abuse freedom

• We are discussing what a woman wants most in her life.

• We are talking about women’s freedom.

• Freedom should not be misinterpreted and everyone should have a clear understanding of its use and abuse.

• Women’s freedom and women’s rights are words that are used very freely by everyone today.

• But it is doubtful whether people including women understand the real significance and meaning of these terms.

• Don’t think that freedom means anyone can do anything and take any action without questioning.

• Freedom should not be misinterpreted as a license to do whatever one feels like.

• The world is now becoming intoxicated with freedom.

• It is crucial to maintain a balanced approach towards freedom and avoid it becoming an addiction.

• Many women feel that their freedom is being checked or threatened when they are restricted about how they dress, or condemned when they go out inappropriately.

• An important thing to be understood by those who preach fiercely about women‘s freedom is that in life she also has to fulfill duties and obligations to many people.

• Don’t forget that women, like everyone else, have duties to perform and responsibilities to shoulder.

• When women desire and claim absolute freedom in terms of freedom of action they must understand that others may take a similar position and claim similar status.

• And the result will be sometimes universal chaos.

• A woman can act as she pleases as long as her actions do not interfere with the actions or duties of others or harm others.
• There is nothing wrong with a woman resting scantily clad in her bedroom or lying stretched out on the floor of the hall of her own house.

• But a woman claiming a similar action on the public highway in the name of freedom would be considered worse than midsummer madness.

• Everyone should understand that individual or private liberty ends where public interest begins.

• Although freedom of dress is indeed a right of everyone, it is always good for the dignity of women to choose appropriate clothes according to each place and occasion.

• They don’t have to wear whatever clothes they like everywhere, thinking that they have freedom.

• For instance, the attire appropriate for attending a wedding differs from the attire suitable for a funeral.

• Each outfit is more acceptable when worn in the most appropriate situation.

• Although it can be argued that it is their freedom of dress to wear clothes that reveal their body, women should dress modestly.

• Be it women or men, don’t wear clothes without being conscious of the surroundings, thinking that there is freedom of dress.

• The beauty of women does not lie in flaunting their bodies; rather, it stems from their courage to express themselves confidently and persuasively, and their ability to wield power through their words, this is what truly enhances a woman’s beauty.

• Women must comprehend that sometimes freedom does not grant permission to behave solely based on personal desires.

• The freedom of action or speech which we consider our right should not interfere with the freedom of others.

• Many people have assumed many things about freedom, by removing the misconceptions about freedom, everyone should understand its real meaning and value.
• Understand that freedom is not only doing what we like but also not doing what is not good for us.

• Freedom is not only when you get everything you want, but also when you can say ‘No’ to anything you don’t want.

• Freedom should lead everyone to discipline and also make everyone realize that others have equal rights just like me.

• There is a mental satisfaction that few things in life can give, and to enjoy it everyone must understand that what I am doing will not endanger the freedom of others.

• When that is the case, freedom has the potential to create universal peace, in addition to self-satisfaction.

• In this particular condition, no utterance made by an individual causes harm to women or any other individuals, and no deed disrupts the actions of others.

• In short, if freedom is used well, moral values ​​will be more respected and valued and our world will become a more beautiful place to live.

• Remember, excessive reliance on freedom should be avoided.

• It is important to prevent freedom from turning into an unhealthy dependency.

Final thoughts

Nowadays, women are abundantly present in almost every domain of work. Whether it is the private or public sector, thousands of women are employed and contribute commendable service. Financially, women are more independent today than ever before. She does not submit to male authority, whether at home or in public life. In various domains, a significant proportion of women actively contribute, not merely in subordinate capacities, but as influential and constructive participants. Consequently, the status of women has undergone substantial transformation, reaching a level of prominence that would have been unimaginable a few decades ago. It was the women’s empowerment movements and universal education reforms that inspired and empowered women to overcome male-made and male-centric superstitions.

Despite these advancements, the ongoing debate revolves around whether women are truly receiving the recognition they deserve. The question remains as to whether they have been granted their rightful position within society. She is a builder of homes and an equal participant in all that the contemporary world aspires to achieve. She has the freedom to live an autonomous life, no longer confined to the weak and idle inhabitant of the domestic sphere. She is acquiring knowledge, reaching new milestones, and becoming conscious of the swift transformations taking place.  Emerging from the veil, she exudes an aura of independence as she soars high, proclaiming her liberated identity. Her mind is filled with dreams of a new world, where her ambitions and aspirations give voice to her unique individuality and freedom. Yet, she remains mindful that amidst this pursuit, she upholds the timeless values and ideals of womanhood, embracing modesty, virtue, peace, fortitude, and sacrifice. Women’s freedom should be to act with willpower and make a presence in areas where women could not reach so far and thus inspire the coming generations. Women have desires and dreams like everyone else. A woman wants to live according to her likes and interests. Let no one be a hindrance to it.

Credit to the story: Facebook post