Stree Dharma

Dividing his own body, the Lord became half male and half female. Auspicious results dependent on the production of children, the nurture of those born, and the daily life of men, of these matters woman is visibly the cause.

A girl or a young woman or even an aged one should not seek to separate herself from her father, husband, or sons. By leaving them she would make both her own and her husband’s families contemptible. She must always be cheerful, clever in the management of her household affairs. She should take care of Him to whom her father may give her, or her brother with the father’s permission as long as he lives, and when he is dead, she must not insult his memory.

Though destitute of virtue, or seeking pleasure elsewhere, or devoid of good qualities, yet a husband must be constantly obeyed by a faithful wife. No sacrifice, no vow, no fast need to be performed by women apart from their husbands. If a wife obeys her husband, she will for that reason alone be exalted in heaven. A virtuous wife who after the death of her husband constantly remains chaste, reaches heaven, though she have no son, just like those chaste men. But a woman who from a desire to have offspring violates her duty towards her deceased husband, brings on herself disgrace in this world.

Her father protects her in childhood, her husband protects her in youth, and her sons protect her in old age; a woman is should never be left unprotected. Considering that the highest duty of all castes, even weak husbands must strive to guard their wives. He who carefully guards his wife acquires merit. The husband should involve wife in money savings, family management, expenditure, household activities, cooking, religious activities. Women, confined in the house under trustworthy and obedient servants, are not well guarded; but those who of their own accord keep guard over themselves, are well guarded.

Father should give his daughter to a distinguished, handsome groom of equal caste in accordance with the prescribed rule, though she has not attained the proper age. She should not be given to a man destitute of good qualities. In such a case, it is better for the maiden, though marriageable, to stay in the father’s house until death. A marriageable daughter should wait for three years. But after that time she could choose a bridegroom of equal caste and rank.[16]

Notes: The language and the meaning of the ordained Dharma as given by the sources may be misunderstood when approached inappropriately. Care should be taken to avoid this situation with the help of suitable preparation and the competent guide.