Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Hindu mythology offers complex representations of feminine divinity, where goddesses embody contrasting yet interconnected rolls. This paper explores the binary of tamed and untamed forms of Hindu goddesses- specifically Kali, Durga, and Gauri-through a feminist lens. The tamed goddess represents societal ideals of femininity: docile, nurturing, and domestic. In contrast the untamed goddess disrupts patriarchal structures through depictions of raw power, violence, and independence. Drawing on feminist theory, this study examines how these divine figures serve as metaphors for female agency and oppression in patriarchal contexts. A qualitative hermeneutic analysis is employed to interpret mythological narratives and ritual practices associated with these goddesses. Sources include both classical texts and scholarly interpretations that emphasizes the symbolic dimensions of feminine power. The seasonal transitions of goddess worship in regions such as Maharashtra are analyzed to understand how cyclical worship rituals reflect evolving conceptions of womanhood. Findings reveal that while goddesses like Gauri are idealized for domestic virtues, goddesses like Kali, disrupt gendered norms by embracing chaos and destructiveness-qualities traditionally denied to women. Durga stands as a mediating figure, combining nurturing and violent traits. These mythic portrayals echo contemporary feminist concerns with resisting gender essentialism and reclaiming agency. This study argues that the goddess archetypes in Hinduism provide a culturally embedded yet subversive platform for imagining feminist empowerment. By reclaiming both the tamed and untamed images, Hindu mythology offers an indigenous feminist framework that accommodates complexity in female identity. The analysis contributes to feminist framework that accommodates complexity in female identity. The analysis contributes to feminist discourse by revealing how religious and mythological symbolism can serve as tool of both control and liberation of women.