Epics of India - Vinay Kalvacherla

Ideas of male superiority are present throughout many of the tales  A lot of tales are about males trying to take over traditional "male" roles  Women are the trophies of masculine rivalry; men were valued by what they had, including women  Shift from matriarchy to patriarchy happens in perception of goddesses Even brings in Rama - Rama rescues Sita to protect his family's dignity For a long time, even in Hinduism, respect was paid to gods over goddesses A picture depicting the Supreme Goddess, Adi-Parashakti, with the renown Hindu trinity at her disposal. Source. Bibliography:  Seven Secrets of the Goddesses, Pattanaik,  Link to source. 

As human civilization advanced, the status of women declined; God worship overtook the idea of Goddess worship  This seemed to change; Bronze Age - groups of women worshipped alongside a male  Connects the Virgin Mary to the pantheon of old goddesses discussed; raises tones of masculine hierarchy Discusses how women became commodities in trading communities  Different "vivahs" describe the commodity nature of women here  Could be interesting to pull in the Supreme Goddess's perspective on this  A picture depicting the ferocious Goddess Kali. Source . Bibliography: Seven Secrets of the Goddesses, Pattanaik, Link to source.