Changes

Meaning: If, in a house, the daughter, daughter-in-law, sisters and other women suffer, then that house is sure to be destroyed. The house in which such women live happily is the one that secures wealth and happiness. The family in which the wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, etc. are not respected and in which they suffer from insult, is sure to be destroyed.

Meaning: If, in a house, the daughter, daughter-in-law, sisters and other women suffer, then that house is sure to be destroyed. The house in which such women live happily is the one that secures wealth and happiness. The family in which the wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, etc. are not respected and in which they suffer from insult, is sure to be destroyed.

Hence, it is said that, men who seek (their own) welfare should always honour women with gifts, good attire and dainty food.<blockquote>स्त्रियां तु रोचमानायां सर्वं तद्रोचते कुलम् । तस्यां त्वरोचमानायां सर्वमेव न रोचते । । ३.६२ । ।</blockquote>''striyāṁ tu rocamānāyāṁ sarvaṁ tadrocate kulam । tasyāṁ tvarocamānāyāṁ sarvameva na rocate । । 3.62 । ।''

Hence, it is said that, men who seek (their own) welfare should always honour women with gifts, good attire and dainty food.<blockquote>स्त्रियां तु रोचमानायां सर्वं तद्रोचते कुलम् । तस्यां त्वरोचमानायां सर्वमेव न रोचते । । ३.६२ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''striyāṁ tu rocamānāyāṁ sarvaṁ tadrocate kulam । tasyāṁ tvarocamānāyāṁ sarvameva na rocate । । 3.62 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning : The house in which women folk are decorated with dress and jewellery shines. Otherwise, the house is sure to suffer.  

 

Meaning : The house in which women folk are decorated with dress and jewellery shines. Otherwise, the house is sure to suffer.  

In fact, the Manusmrti goes ahead to say that, <blockquote>सुवासिनीः कुमारीश्च रोगिणो गर्भिणीः स्त्रियः । अतिथिभ्योऽग्र एवैतान् भोजयेदविचारयन् । । ३.११४ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''suvāsinīḥ kumārīśca rogiṇo garbhiṇīḥ striyaḥ । atithibhyo'gra evaitān bhojayedavicārayan । । 3.114 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning: Recently married daughters, as well as daughters-in-law, young girls as also pregnant women should be served with meals even before the guests.

In fact, the Manusmrti goes ahead to say that, <blockquote>सुवासिनीः कुमारीश्च रोगिणो गर्भिणीः स्त्रियः । अतिथिभ्योऽग्र एवैतान् भोजयेदविचारयन् । । ३.११४ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>''suvāsinīḥ kumārīśca rogiṇo garbhiṇīḥ striyaḥ । atithibhyo'gra evaitān bhojayedavicārayan । । 3.114 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning: Recently married daughters, as well as daughters-in-law, young girls as also pregnant women should be served with meals even before the guests.

This indicates the utmost consideration given to women in Manusmrti. For, the normal duty of Grhasthashrami (Householder) is to feed guests first and only thereafter, the owner of the house, his wife and other members of the family have food. However, the above provision shows that a young daughter or daughter-in-law who has been recently married, as also young girls and pregnant women were given such an importance and priority that they were to be provided with meals even before the guests. This indicates the highest concern shown to women and the acknowledgement of their great importance to the happiness of the family. On the whole, the above verses impress that any person who wants happiness at home and who desires that his family should prosper and secure enjoyment of life, must respect women always.<ref name=":2" />

This indicates the utmost consideration given to women in Manusmrti. For, the normal duty of Grhasthashrami (Householder) is to feed guests first and only thereafter, the owner of the house, his wife and other members of the family have food. However, the above provision shows that a young daughter or daughter-in-law who has been recently married, as also young girls and pregnant women were given such an importance and priority that they were to be provided with meals even before the guests. This indicates the highest concern shown to women and the acknowledgement of their great importance to the happiness of the family. On the whole, the above verses impress that any person who wants happiness at home and who desires that his family should prosper and secure enjoyment of life, must respect women always.<ref name=":2" />

== Western Distortion of Dharma and its status of women in Vedic Bharat ==

== Western Distortion of Dharma and its status of women in Vedic Bharat ==

However, there is a verse on the basis of which Manu Smriti is criticized and condemned as being against women. It reads:<blockquote>"पिता रक्षति कौमारे भर्ता रक्षति यौवने |</blockquote><blockquote>रक्षन्ति स्थविरे पुत्रा न स्त्री स्वातन्त्र्यमर्हति || " (Manu -IX-3)</blockquote>Meaning : The father protects the girl in her childhood, the husband protects her after marriage and her sons protect her in old age. At no stage should a woman be left free.

However, there is a verse on the basis of which Manu Smriti is criticized and condemned as being against women. It reads:<blockquote>"पिता रक्षति कौमारे भर्ता रक्षति यौवने |</blockquote><blockquote>रक्षन्ति स्थविरे पुत्रा न स्त्री स्वातन्त्र्यमर्हति || " (Manu -IX-3)</blockquote>Meaning : The father protects the girl in her childhood, the husband protects her after marriage and her sons protect her in old age. At no stage should a woman be left free.