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Line 117: − + − + − − Respect for women was another most cherished value of life from times immemorial in Bharat. Women were not considered as an object of physical pleasure by man, but were regarded as divine treasures for family life. In view of the role assigned by nature to mothers, and in view of the fact that the mother is the dearest person on earth to an individual and in view of the intense love and affection of a mother for her children, and her readiness to make tremendous sacrifices for the sake of her children the mother came to be regarded as God incarnate (Mata Pratyaksha Devatha). Further, as every woman is a potential mother, the cultural value evolved was to treat mother as God and to treat every woman except one's wife, as mother. As a result, every woman and even small girls, are addressed as Ma, Amma etc., which means mother. − This value appears to have been created and cultivated assiduously as an antidote to the sexual propensity of man, for, once the value that every woman is mother is ingrained in the heart of an individual, sinful thoughts of committing any offence against woman gets destroyed. There can be no doubt that inculcating such a value in the hearts of individuals is the greatest protection against the immoral sexual desires of man. − The creation and maintaining of this value is really the most valuable contribution of our ancestors. In fact the main cause for the greatest wars fought on this land namely the Rama-Ravana war and rhe Pandava -Kaurava war was the onslaught on a woman, − Sita and Draupadi respectively. Despite declining moral values in recent years, by and large, the said value is still acting as the greatest safeguard against atrocities on women. − There is a glowing instance in the life of Shivaji Maharaj. − He won Kalyana province and acquired a lot of wealth. Abajipanth, who was the commander of the army who won the war told Shivaji that a beautiful girl had also been captured and he was presenting her to Maharaj. She was a member of the family of the Mughal Subhedar of Kalyan who was defeated in the war. Shivaji said 'you say she is so beautiful, she is equal to my mother. So, I love and respect her. Moreover affording protection to women is Raja Dharma' .Having said so he got her decorated with jewels and rich dress, and she was restored to the defeated Subhedhar who was overwhelmed and realised the importance given to the value of respect for womanhood in this land. − Manusmriti mandates in the following verse that highest respect and regard must be extended to women. − <nowiki>;</nowiki>= uk;ZLrq iwT;Urs jeUrs r= nsork%AA ;=SrkLrq u iwT;Urs lokZLr=kQyk% fØ;k%AA − 'kkspafr tke;ks ;= fou';R;k'kq rRdqyeà u 'kkspafr rq ;=Srk o/kZrs rf) loZnkAA tke;ks ;kfr eksgkfu laiR; izfriwftrk%A rkfr ÑR;kgrkuho fou';afUr leUor%AA − MANU 3(56)-(57)-(58) − Gods are pleased, with the house in which women are respected, in that house in which women are insulted and are made to suffer, every thing done is sure to go waste. − If in a house daughter,1he daughter-in-law, and the sisters 'and other women suffer, that house is sure to be destroyed. The house in which such women live happily, secures wealth and happiness. − The family in which the wife, the daughter, the sister and the daughter-in- law, etc, are not respected and in which they suffer from insult, is sure to be destroyed. − Hence, men who seek (their own) welfare should always honour women on holidays and festivals with gifts, good attire and dainty food, − fL=;ka rq jkspekuk;ka lo± rnzksprs dqyeà rL;ka Rojkspekuk;ka loZeso u jksprsA lqokfluh% dqekja'p jksfx.kks xfHkZ.kh% fL=;%A vfrfFkH;ksxz ,oSrku Hkkst;snfopkj;uÃA − MANU-III-62-114 − The house in which women folk are decorated with dress and jewellery, shines, otherwise, the house is sure to suffer. − Recently married daughters, as well as daughter-in-law, young girls as also pregnant women should be served with meals even before the guests. − The above verses impress that any person who wants happiness at home and who desires that his family should prosper, and should secure enjoyment of life, must respect women always, There can be no doubt that the house in which husband and wife have mutual love and affection always secures happiness and good results and is really equal to heaven; the house in which women are insulted and harassed, becomes a hell. − The above verses also indicate the utmost consideration given to women in Manusmriti. The normal duty of Grihastashrama{the state of the house holder) is to feed guests first and only thereafter the owner of the house, his wife and other members of the family have to have food. The above provision shows that a young daughter who had been recently married and a young daughter-in-law as also young girls and pregnant women were given such an importance and priority in that they were to be provided with meals even earlier than the guests. This indicates the highest concern shown to women in view of their great importance to the happiness of the family. − However, there is a verse on the basis of which Manu Smriti is criticized and condemned as being against women. It reads: − firk j{kfr dkSekjs HkrkZ j{kfr ;kSousA j{kfUr LFkfojs iq=k u L=h LokrU«;egZfrAA − MANU-IX-3 − 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. − On the basis of the last part of the above verse, without reference to the earlier parts and other verses in Manu Smriti, referred to earlier, the criticism levelled against Manu Smriti is that it wanted women to live like slaves of man through out their life. − Nothing can be farther from the truth. It is a matter of common knowledge that in most of the families, except those of people who are uncultured and who fall into bad habits, particularly those who have become alcohol addicts, the women are not only respected most, their advice in every matter concerning the family prevails and even now it is so. They shape the fortunes of the family. Therefore, the true meaning and purpose of the above verse is that a woman requires and is entitled to protection in every stage of life. Correspondingly it is the duty of the father, .the husband and the sons to look after the daughter, the wife and the mother respectively. It is the duty of the father to look after his daughter with all care, educate her having due regard to her aptitude including in arts − and crafts and music and celebrate her marriage. Thereafter the fundamental duty and responsibility to maintain and protect her stand shifted to her husband, and thereafter when her sons become aged, that duty gets shifted to the sons. In fact protection and care is essential to male children as well as aged fathers. However, special provision is made for women. Therefore, the real intention of the verse is to declare the obligation of the father, husband and sons to maintain and protect the daughter, the wife and the mother respectively. It is not a directive to subjugate or dominate them. Therefore to interpret the verse to the effect that a woman must be treated as a slave by her father during her childhood, and by her husband after her marriage and by her sons in old age, and that she should be deprived of freedom throughout her life is wholly erroneous and perverse. A few illustrations will make the above aspect clear : − By nature womanhood is tender and requires protection. For instance, one can afford to send a boy to the house of a teacher or another person for education and ask him to stay with him for ten or twelve years, i.e., until he completes his education. Ordinarily this cannot be done in the case of a girl. Doing so would be a dereliction of duty. She requires special care, protection and arrangement for her education. − If the parents desire to send their son to a far off place for higher studies, it would be sufficient for them to give an introductory letter to a person known to them or to get a letter from a friend of theirs to a person known to him and ask the boy to go and get in touch with the said person and secure the necessary help from him and to continue his higher education at such a distinct place. But, can this be done in the case of a daughter? Certainly not. Even with the advancement of civilization, most of the parents will be unwilling to send their daughters alone to a distant place for higher education with an introductory letter to anyone and asking her to contact some one and make her own arrangements. In the nature of things, it is impossible, and improper as also dereliction of duty. Therefore, whenever, a girl is to be sent for higher education to a distant place, the parents also accompany her and only after making proper arrangements for her stay and ensuring full protection to her, they come back. This is the essential difference between man and woman. − Another illustration would be of great assistance. In a number of cases, in which poor boys go to distant places for study, in the absence of electric lights in the rooms in which they secure accommodation they go to public parks or to public buildings during night time and continue their studies late into the night at such places or till the small hours of the morning, and come back to their place of residence. Is it possible for a girl to do so? The answer obviously is in the negative. − The above illustrations are not exhaustive. There are many situations in which the women/girls require greater care, protection and security. − It is such a difference flowing from the nature of women, who are vulnerable to various kinds of onslaughts when left unprotected which is the basis for the above verse of Manu Smriti, It does not mean that woman must be kept without freedom. Such an − interpretation runs counter to the verse, which says that the house in which women are insulted and shed tears gets destroyed. The above true meaning of the verse becomes more clear when it is read with another provision in Manu in which the highest respect is required to be given to women. − mik/;k;kUn'kkpk;Z vkpk;kZ.ka 'kra firkA lgL=a rq fir`Uekrk xkSjos.kkfrfjP;rsAA − MANU II-145 − The acharya is more venerable than a Upadhyaya (teacher). father is more venerable than an acharya. But the mother is more venerable than the father. − A combined reading of the verses quoted above indicate that women were placed at a higher position. The above verse in Manu indicates that while the teacher is to be placed at a higher level, the father is to be respected more than the teacher and no place, no status which is higher than that of the mother is given to any one. These verses should be read with the earlier verse. So the real meaning is, the women should be honoured and protected. It is a humane and a duty-oriented provision, the mandate to provide security. This should not be misunderstood as making her life insecure. She should not be left open to attack by men with evil propensities, it does not mean her freedom should be jeopardised. Any meaning given to the verse to the effect that women should be denied freedom at every stage is perverse as it would be totally inconsistent with the other verses. For, if women are denied freedom and they are kept under subjugation they are bound to be in grief and tears, and as a consequence the happiness of the family disappears. Hence, a meaning consistent with the above verses alone is appropriate. − An analysis of many other provisions concerning women in the Smritis indicate that except that, on account of the social system under which a daughter, after marriage, was to become a member of her husband's family, no share in the ancestral property of the father was provided for her by birth, in every other respect special provisions had been made in favour of women. They are: − − === 1.4.2.3.1 Rights of women members of joint family === − − Though women were not admitted to the membership of coparcenary, they were members of the joint family and the law gave them the right to a share equal to one fourth of the share of the brothers at partition though they were not given the right to compel partition. − − === 1.4.2.3.2 Misuse or dependence of the property of women prohibited === − − u dU;k;k% firk fo}kUx`g.kh;kPNqYde.ofiA x`áŒNqYda fg yksHksu L;kTMkjks·iR;foØ;hAA L=h/kukfu rq ;s eksgknqithofUr ckU/kok%A ukjh;kukfu oL=a ok rs ikik ;kUR;/kksxfreÃA − MANU III-51-52 − No father who knows (the law) must take even the smallest gratuity for his daughter; for a man who, through avarice, takes a gratuity, is a seller of his offspring. − But those (male) relations, who in their folly live on the separate property of women, (Ex: appropriate) the beasts of burden, carriages, and cloths of women, commit sin and suffer a downfall. − In view of the greater chances of exploitation of childhood and youth resulting in moral and material abandonment indulged in by those who care only for earning money through unhealthy and obscene magazines and books and audio visual equipments, now it is becoming clear only women can save childhood and youth from such exploitation. It is this aspect which is the basis of the verses in Manu. − Even now when civilization has advanced greatly and women 's performance in every field of activity is excellent, - in many cases they have surpassed men, their responsibility to be mothers and to look after the interests of children and to make them good citizens has not decreased but has increased. Still on account of the evil propensities of man towards women, they require protection against onslaught. We are seeing that atrocities on women are increasing day by day. Obscenity is spreading like wild fire through business advertisements and in various other ways. Women 's organisation are craving for protection. − − === 1.4.2.3.3 Right of Wives === − <nowiki>;</nowiki>fn dq;kZRlekua'kkUiRU;% dk;kZ% lekaf'kdk%A u nÙka L=h/kua ;klka Hk=kZ ok Üo'kqjs.k okAA − YAJ.III15: − Wives are entitled to a share equal to that of sons at a partition. But the share is liable to be reduced by the amount of stridhana given by the husband or the father-in-law, if any, in their possession. − This rule recognised the right to share in favour of a wife and if there was more than one wife, all the wives were entitled to equal shares. The amount of Stridhana to be − taken into account for the purpose of reducing the share was only that which was given by the husband or the father-in-law. − − === 1.4.2.3.4 Right of mothers === − leka'kgkfj.kh ekrkA − Mother is an Equal Sharer − leka'kgkfj.kh ekrsfr opukr ekr`inL; tuuhijRokr u liRuhekr`ijRoefiA lÑr JqrL; eq[;xkS.kRokuqi iÙks%A − The expression 'mother' includes the step-mother, i.e., the other wives, if any, of the father. Their share was, however, liable to be reduced to the extent of stridhana in their possession. − SMRITI CHANDRIKA P.624: − Because of this rule, the rights of paternal grandmother or step-grandmother were also similar. − − === 1.4.2.3.5 Rights of daughters === − Daughters, whose marriages had taken place before partition, were given no right in the coparcenary property of their parents' joint family. As regards unmarried daughters, a share in the coparcenary property was recognised. − LosH;ksa·'ksH;Lrq dU;kE;% izn/kqHkzkZrj% i`Fkdà LokR[kkna'kkPprqHkkZxa ifrrk% L;qjfnRlo%AA − MANU IX 118 − To maiden sisters, each of the brothers shall give out of his share, one- fourth part. Those who fail to give shall become patita. − Kat.858, however, while repeating the rule, provides that in cases where the property is small, sons and unmarried daughters should share equally. − The Hindu law governing inheritance and partition of joint family property continues to be in force subject to the modifications brought about by legislations, the latest being the Hindu succession Act, 1955 under which a daughter is an equal sharer along with the son in the property of the father. − − === 1.4.2.3.6 Stridhana === − Every property movable or immoveable, given to a woman by anyone constitutes her own absolute property. The rule of succession to Stridhana was that it would go to − daughters, to the exclusion of the sons and, to the sons only in the event of there being no daughters. − − === 1.4.2.3.7 Exception to women's property from the law of adverse possession === − The provision of the law regarding perfecting title to immoveable property by adverse possession was very strict. Only after three generations could adverse possessions be pleaded, but in respect of property belonging to women no adverse possession could be pleaded at all at any time. − − === 1.4.2.3.8 Special provision in favor of women regarding quantum of penalty === − In case of all offences only half of the punishment prescribed for man should be imposed on a woman (Katyayana-487) − − === 1.4.2.3.9 Death sentence for rape of a woman under custody === − Capital sentence for committing the offence of rape against a woman arrested, by an officer of the state, was prescribed (vide Kautilya Arthasastra p.256) − The requirement of such severe punishment was recognised and section 376 of the I.P.C. was amended by Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1980, by which penalty of rigorous imprisonment of ten years is prescribed for the offence of the rape of a woman. − The above provisions in the smritis are referred to in this book in order to dispel the doubts created by some critics who argue that, according to Manusmriti, women were not entitled to freedom, and to show that on the other hand greater protection was given to women in our laws. In fact, by placing the entire burden of maintaining the women on the father, the husband, and the son, the law totally freed her from earning and from contributing to the maintenance of the family, leaving her free to dedicate her entire time and energy to the upbringing of children, which was by itself an onerous responsibility. − This exposition can be completed best by quoting what Kerry Brown has stated in his book, "The Essential Teachings of Hinduism", having ascertained the real meaning of the controversial verse in Manu. − In Hinduism a woman is looked after not because she is inferior or incapable but, on the contrary, because she is treasured. She is the pride and power of the society. Just as the crown jewels should not be left unguarded, neither should a woman be left unprotected. No extra burden of earning a living should be placed on women who already bear huge responsibilities in society; childbirth; child care, domestic well being and spiritual growth. She is 1he transmitter of culture to her children. − The important role assigned to women has been correctly identified. It is no doubt true that times have changed, we have women who are competent in various professions, avocations, competent in business, who are competent political rulers, bureaucrats, technocrats, advocates, judges and so on. But that is no reason to lose sight of the onerous responsibility of women of looking after the health and education of children or to forget the noble value of looking upon every woman as one's mother as that is the only powerful antidote for atrocities against women. − − == 1.4.2.4 SAMANATA (EQUALITY) == Line 263:
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Values Based On Dharma (धर्माधिष्ठितगुणाः) (view source)
Revision as of 14:47, 13 July 2017
, 14:47, 13 July 2017no edit summary
== Introduction ==
Based on 'Dharma' and the doctrine of Trivarga, certain basic values of life were evolved and assiduously sustained through out the history of Bharat. These values were intended to ensure the good and happiness of all, not only in this land but in the entire world. This culture constitute our rich heritage and wealth which is more valuable than all the material wealth of the world. Further it is this culture which has established unity in diversity and it is this cultural bond which has welded the people of this Land into a Nation.
Based on 'Dharma' and the doctrine of Trivarga, certain basic values of life were evolved and assiduously sustained through out the history of Bharat. These values were intended to ensure the good and happiness of all, not only in this land but in the entire world. This culture constitute our rich heritage and wealth which is more valuable than all the material wealth of the world. Further it is this culture which has established unity in diversity and it is this cultural bond which has welded the people of this Land into a Nation.
Though various factors such as language, religion or common aspirations etc., might constitute a basis for the formation of or bringing into existence a Nation, the most essential of them are :-
Though various factors such as language, religion or common aspirations etc., might constitute a basis for the formation of or bringing into existence a Nation, the most essential of them are :-
The greatest satisfaction for the people of Bharath has been that though attempts were made and are being made, by some deliberately, and by others out of ignorance and/or under Western influence, to destroy all our values evolved from ancient times which are the basis of our nationalism they have not been successful in destroying our National Vitality and identity. Our Nationalism, has withstood both political and social onslaughts on it, for several centuries as it is firmly based on noble values which are the very life breath of our people.
The greatest satisfaction for the people of Bharath has been that though attempts were made and are being made, by some deliberately, and by others out of ignorance and/or under Western influence, to destroy all our values evolved from ancient times which are the basis of our nationalism they have not been successful in destroying our National Vitality and identity. Our Nationalism, has withstood both political and social onslaughts on it, for several centuries as it is firmly based on noble values which are the very life breath of our people.
== 1.4.1 The Country ==
== The Country ==
As far as the first aspect is concerned, all our ancient literature gave respectful description of the country and its special features. The second chapter of Manu Smriti gives the description of different parts of our mother land.
As far as the first aspect is concerned, all our ancient literature gave respectful description of the country and its special features. The second chapter of Manu Smriti gives the description of different parts of our mother land.
v}s"Vk loZHkwrkuka eS=% d#.k ,o pA fueZeks fujgadkj% lenq%[klq[k% {kehAA larq"V% lrra ;ksxh ;rkRek n`<fuÜp;%A e ;fiZreukscqf);ksZ e Dr% l es fiz;%AA
v}s"Vk loZHkwrkuka eS=% d#.k ,o pA fueZeks fujgadkj% lenq%[klq[k% {kehAA larq"V% lrra ;ksxh ;rkRek n`<fuÜp;%A e ;fiZreukscqf);ksZ e Dr% l es fiz;%AA
The person who hates none, who is friendly and has compassion for all, who has no selfishness and ego, who , maintains balance of mind in pain and pleasure, who has contentment, is steady in meditation, self controlled, and firm in his decision, who is dedicated to me, and who is my devotee is dear to me.
The person who hates none, who is friendly and has compassion for all, who has no selfishness and ego, who , maintains balance of mind in pain and pleasure, who has contentment, is steady in meditation, self controlled, and firm in his decision, who is dedicated to me, and who is my devotee is dear to me.
Every one of the qualities indicated is general in nature. Surely cultivation of such qualities, elevates the individual to a higher level of humanity. The above mentioned provisions in the Smritis, the Upanishads and the Geeta indicate that secularism par excellence has been one of the elements of the basic structures of Raja Dharma, our constitutional law, from times immemorial.
Every one of the qualities indicated is general in nature. Surely cultivation of such qualities, elevates the individual to a higher level of humanity. The above mentioned provisions in the Smritis, the Upanishads and the Geeta indicate that secularism par excellence has been one of the elements of the basic structures of Raja Dharma, our constitutional law, from times immemoriRESPECT
== 1.4.2.3 RESPECT FOR WOMANHOOD ==
== SAMANATA (EQUALITY) ==
The Vedas constituted the primordial source of Dharma. The Charter of Equality (Samanta) incorporated in the Rigveda, the most ancient of the Vedas, and in the Atharvanaveda are worth quoting.
The Vedas constituted the primordial source of Dharma. The Charter of Equality (Samanta) incorporated in the Rigveda, the most ancient of the Vedas, and in the Atharvanaveda are worth quoting.
The world is awakening now, having seen the disastrous consequences of overexploiting of natural resources and there is a great movement for preserving and protecting natural resources. We have to fall back on the directive in the Ishavasyopanishad in order to ensure justice to posterity.
The world is awakening now, having seen the disastrous consequences of overexploiting of natural resources and there is a great movement for preserving and protecting natural resources. We have to fall back on the directive in the Ishavasyopanishad in order to ensure justice to posterity.
== 1.4.2.8 SERVICE OR PAROPAKARA ==
== Sevice or Paropakara ==
Great importance was attached to service to others. This value is brought out with illustration in the following verse:
Great importance was attached to service to others. This value is brought out with illustration in the following verse:
ijksidkjk; QyfUr o`{kk% ijksidkjk; ogfUr u|% ijksidkjk; nqgfUr xko% ijksidkjkFkZfene 'kjhjeÃA
ijksidkjk; QyfUr o`{kk% ijksidkjk; ogfUr u|% ijksidkjk; nqgfUr xko% ijksidkjkFkZfene 'kjhjeÃA
We have to resurrect this ideal.
We have to resurrect this ideal.
== 1.4.2.10 WORLD IS ONE FAMILY ==
== Vasudeva Kutumbakam (WORLD IS ONE FAMILY) ==
Though it is natural that for historical, cultural civilizational, linguistic reasons there had always been many nations/states, the basic philosophy that all living beings are children of God is deep rooted. Therefore, anyone who considered some one as his own and others not as his own, was dubbed as petty minded. This value is expressed in the Hitopadesha.
Though it is natural that for historical, cultural civilizational, linguistic reasons there had always been many nations/states, the basic philosophy that all living beings are children of God is deep rooted. Therefore, anyone who considered some one as his own and others not as his own, was dubbed as petty minded. This value is expressed in the Hitopadesha.
v;a fut% ijks osfr x.kuk y?kqpsrlkeà mnkjpfjrkuka rq olq/kSo dqVqEcdeÃA
v;a fut% ijks osfr x.kuk y?kqpsrlkeà mnkjpfjrkuka rq olq/kSo dqVqEcdeÃA
It is the same dharma, which is colloquially called Hindu Dharma or Hinduism just as Bharat is called Hindustan, which has inspired us not to opt for a theocratic state, Just as Rule of Law is said to be the sworn enemy of caprice, Dharma or Hinduism is the sworn enemy of theocracy. It is in view of the sway of Dharma that Secularism has been made one of the elements of the basic structure of our constitution. despite Islamic states established in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Therefore, it is clear that so long as Dharma has sway, Secularism survives and it gets destroyed the moment Dharma loses its primacy.
It is the same dharma, which is colloquially called Hindu Dharma or Hinduism just as Bharat is called Hindustan, which has inspired us not to opt for a theocratic state, Just as Rule of Law is said to be the sworn enemy of caprice, Dharma or Hinduism is the sworn enemy of theocracy. It is in view of the sway of Dharma that Secularism has been made one of the elements of the basic structure of our constitution. despite Islamic states established in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Therefore, it is clear that so long as Dharma has sway, Secularism survives and it gets destroyed the moment Dharma loses its primacy.
Hence, it is our duty to resurrect, protect and preserve "Dharma" not only to safeguard national interest but also in the interest of humanity as a whole.
Hence, it is our duty to resurrect, protect and preserve "Dharma" not only to safeguard national interest but also in the interest of humanity as a whole.
FOR WOMANHOOD
Respect for women was another most cherished value of life from times immemorial in Bharat. Women were not considered as an object of physical pleasure by man, but were regarded as divine treasures for family life. In view of the role assigned by nature to mothers, and in view of the fact that the mother is the dearest person on earth to an individual and in view of the intense love and affection of a mother for her children, and her readiness to make tremendous sacrifices for the sake of her children the mother came to be regarded as God incarnate (Mata Pratyaksha Devatha). Further, as every woman is a potential mother, the cultural value evolved was to treat mother as God and to treat every woman except one's wife, as mother. As a result, every woman and even small girls, are addressed as Ma, Amma etc., which means mother.
This value appears to have been created and cultivated assiduously as an antidote to the sexual propensity of man, for, once the value that every woman is mother is ingrained in the heart of an individual, sinful thoughts of committing any offence against woman gets destroyed. There can be no doubt that inculcating such a value in the hearts of individuals is the greatest protection against the immoral sexual desires of man.
The creation and maintaining of this value is really the most valuable contribution of our ancestors. In fact the main cause for the greatest wars fought on this land namely the Rama-Ravana war and rhe Pandava -Kaurava war was the onslaught on a woman,
Sita and Draupadi respectively. Despite declining moral values in recent years, by and large, the said value is still acting as the greatest safeguard against atrocities on women.
There is a glowing instance in the life of Shivaji Maharaj.
He won Kalyana province and acquired a lot of wealth. Abajipanth, who was the commander of the army who won the war told Shivaji that a beautiful girl had also been captured and he was presenting her to Maharaj. She was a member of the family of the Mughal Subhedar of Kalyan who was defeated in the war. Shivaji said 'you say she is so beautiful, she is equal to my mother. So, I love and respect her. Moreover affording protection to women is Raja Dharma' .Having said so he got her decorated with jewels and rich dress, and she was restored to the defeated Subhedhar who was overwhelmed and realised the importance given to the value of respect for womanhood in this land.
Manusmriti mandates in the following verse that highest respect and regard must be extended to women.
<nowiki>;</nowiki>= uk;ZLrq iwT;Urs jeUrs r= nsork%AA ;=SrkLrq u iwT;Urs lokZLr=kQyk% fØ;k%AA
'kkspafr tke;ks ;= fou';R;k'kq rRdqyeà u 'kkspafr rq ;=Srk o/kZrs rf) loZnkAA tke;ks ;kfr eksgkfu laiR; izfriwftrk%A rkfr ÑR;kgrkuho fou';afUr leUor%AA
MANU 3(56)-(57)-(58)
Gods are pleased, with the house in which women are respected, in that house in which women are insulted and are made to suffer, every thing done is sure to go waste.
If in a house daughter,1he daughter-in-law, and the sisters 'and other women suffer, that house is sure to be destroyed. The house in which such women live happily, secures wealth and happiness.
The family in which the wife, the daughter, the sister and the daughter-in- law, etc, are not respected and in which they suffer from insult, is sure to be destroyed.
Hence, men who seek (their own) welfare should always honour women on holidays and festivals with gifts, good attire and dainty food,
fL=;ka rq jkspekuk;ka lo± rnzksprs dqyeà rL;ka Rojkspekuk;ka loZeso u jksprsA lqokfluh% dqekja'p jksfx.kks xfHkZ.kh% fL=;%A vfrfFkH;ksxz ,oSrku Hkkst;snfopkj;uÃA
MANU-III-62-114
The house in which women folk are decorated with dress and jewellery, shines, otherwise, the house is sure to suffer.
Recently married daughters, as well as daughter-in-law, young girls as also pregnant women should be served with meals even before the guests.
The above verses impress that any person who wants happiness at home and who desires that his family should prosper, and should secure enjoyment of life, must respect women always, There can be no doubt that the house in which husband and wife have mutual love and affection always secures happiness and good results and is really equal to heaven; the house in which women are insulted and harassed, becomes a hell.
The above verses also indicate the utmost consideration given to women in Manusmriti. The normal duty of Grihastashrama{the state of the house holder) is to feed guests first and only thereafter the owner of the house, his wife and other members of the family have to have food. The above provision shows that a young daughter who had been recently married and a young daughter-in-law as also young girls and pregnant women were given such an importance and priority in that they were to be provided with meals even earlier than the guests. This indicates the highest concern shown to women in view of their great importance to the happiness of the family.
However, there is a verse on the basis of which Manu Smriti is criticized and condemned as being against women. It reads:
firk j{kfr dkSekjs HkrkZ j{kfr ;kSousA j{kfUr LFkfojs iq=k u L=h LokrU«;egZfrAA
MANU-IX-3
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.
On the basis of the last part of the above verse, without reference to the earlier parts and other verses in Manu Smriti, referred to earlier, the criticism levelled against Manu Smriti is that it wanted women to live like slaves of man through out their life.
Nothing can be farther from the truth. It is a matter of common knowledge that in most of the families, except those of people who are uncultured and who fall into bad habits, particularly those who have become alcohol addicts, the women are not only respected most, their advice in every matter concerning the family prevails and even now it is so. They shape the fortunes of the family. Therefore, the true meaning and purpose of the above verse is that a woman requires and is entitled to protection in every stage of life. Correspondingly it is the duty of the father, .the husband and the sons to look after the daughter, the wife and the mother respectively. It is the duty of the father to look after his daughter with all care, educate her having due regard to her aptitude including in arts
and crafts and music and celebrate her marriage. Thereafter the fundamental duty and responsibility to maintain and protect her stand shifted to her husband, and thereafter when her sons become aged, that duty gets shifted to the sons. In fact protection and care is essential to male children as well as aged fathers. However, special provision is made for women. Therefore, the real intention of the verse is to declare the obligation of the father, husband and sons to maintain and protect the daughter, the wife and the mother respectively. It is not a directive to subjugate or dominate them. Therefore to interpret the verse to the effect that a woman must be treated as a slave by her father during her childhood, and by her husband after her marriage and by her sons in old age, and that she should be deprived of freedom throughout her life is wholly erroneous and perverse. A few illustrations will make the above aspect clear :
By nature womanhood is tender and requires protection. For instance, one can afford to send a boy to the house of a teacher or another person for education and ask him to stay with him for ten or twelve years, i.e., until he completes his education. Ordinarily this cannot be done in the case of a girl. Doing so would be a dereliction of duty. She requires special care, protection and arrangement for her education.
If the parents desire to send their son to a far off place for higher studies, it would be sufficient for them to give an introductory letter to a person known to them or to get a letter from a friend of theirs to a person known to him and ask the boy to go and get in touch with the said person and secure the necessary help from him and to continue his higher education at such a distinct place. But, can this be done in the case of a daughter? Certainly not. Even with the advancement of civilization, most of the parents will be unwilling to send their daughters alone to a distant place for higher education with an introductory letter to anyone and asking her to contact some one and make her own arrangements. In the nature of things, it is impossible, and improper as also dereliction of duty. Therefore, whenever, a girl is to be sent for higher education to a distant place, the parents also accompany her and only after making proper arrangements for her stay and ensuring full protection to her, they come back. This is the essential difference between man and woman.
Another illustration would be of great assistance. In a number of cases, in which poor boys go to distant places for study, in the absence of electric lights in the rooms in which they secure accommodation they go to public parks or to public buildings during night time and continue their studies late into the night at such places or till the small hours of the morning, and come back to their place of residence. Is it possible for a girl to do so? The answer obviously is in the negative.
The above illustrations are not exhaustive. There are many situations in which the women/girls require greater care, protection and security.
It is such a difference flowing from the nature of women, who are vulnerable to various kinds of onslaughts when left unprotected which is the basis for the above verse of Manu Smriti, It does not mean that woman must be kept without freedom. Such an
interpretation runs counter to the verse, which says that the house in which women are insulted and shed tears gets destroyed. The above true meaning of the verse becomes more clear when it is read with another provision in Manu in which the highest respect is required to be given to women.
mik/;k;kUn'kkpk;Z vkpk;kZ.ka 'kra firkA lgL=a rq fir`Uekrk xkSjos.kkfrfjP;rsAA
MANU II-145
The acharya is more venerable than a Upadhyaya (teacher). father is more venerable than an acharya. But the mother is more venerable than the father.
A combined reading of the verses quoted above indicate that women were placed at a higher position. The above verse in Manu indicates that while the teacher is to be placed at a higher level, the father is to be respected more than the teacher and no place, no status which is higher than that of the mother is given to any one. These verses should be read with the earlier verse. So the real meaning is, the women should be honoured and protected. It is a humane and a duty-oriented provision, the mandate to provide security. This should not be misunderstood as making her life insecure. She should not be left open to attack by men with evil propensities, it does not mean her freedom should be jeopardised. Any meaning given to the verse to the effect that women should be denied freedom at every stage is perverse as it would be totally inconsistent with the other verses. For, if women are denied freedom and they are kept under subjugation they are bound to be in grief and tears, and as a consequence the happiness of the family disappears. Hence, a meaning consistent with the above verses alone is appropriate.
An analysis of many other provisions concerning women in the Smritis indicate that except that, on account of the social system under which a daughter, after marriage, was to become a member of her husband's family, no share in the ancestral property of the father was provided for her by birth, in every other respect special provisions had been made in favour of women. They are:
=== 1.4.2.3.1 Rights of women members of joint family ===
Though women were not admitted to the membership of coparcenary, they were members of the joint family and the law gave them the right to a share equal to one fourth of the share of the brothers at partition though they were not given the right to compel partition.
=== 1.4.2.3.2 Misuse or dependence of the property of women prohibited ===
u dU;k;k% firk fo}kUx`g.kh;kPNqYde.ofiA x`áŒNqYda fg yksHksu L;kTMkjks·iR;foØ;hAA L=h/kukfu rq ;s eksgknqithofUr ckU/kok%A ukjh;kukfu oL=a ok rs ikik ;kUR;/kksxfreÃA
MANU III-51-52
No father who knows (the law) must take even the smallest gratuity for his daughter; for a man who, through avarice, takes a gratuity, is a seller of his offspring.
But those (male) relations, who in their folly live on the separate property of women, (Ex: appropriate) the beasts of burden, carriages, and cloths of women, commit sin and suffer a downfall.
In view of the greater chances of exploitation of childhood and youth resulting in moral and material abandonment indulged in by those who care only for earning money through unhealthy and obscene magazines and books and audio visual equipments, now it is becoming clear only women can save childhood and youth from such exploitation. It is this aspect which is the basis of the verses in Manu.
Even now when civilization has advanced greatly and women 's performance in every field of activity is excellent, - in many cases they have surpassed men, their responsibility to be mothers and to look after the interests of children and to make them good citizens has not decreased but has increased. Still on account of the evil propensities of man towards women, they require protection against onslaught. We are seeing that atrocities on women are increasing day by day. Obscenity is spreading like wild fire through business advertisements and in various other ways. Women 's organisation are craving for protection.
=== 1.4.2.3.3 Right of Wives ===
<nowiki>;</nowiki>fn dq;kZRlekua'kkUiRU;% dk;kZ% lekaf'kdk%A u nÙka L=h/kua ;klka Hk=kZ ok Üo'kqjs.k okAA
YAJ.III15:
Wives are entitled to a share equal to that of sons at a partition. But the share is liable to be reduced by the amount of stridhana given by the husband or the father-in-law, if any, in their possession.
This rule recognised the right to share in favour of a wife and if there was more than one wife, all the wives were entitled to equal shares. The amount of Stridhana to be
taken into account for the purpose of reducing the share was only that which was given by the husband or the father-in-law.
=== 1.4.2.3.4 Right of mothers ===
leka'kgkfj.kh ekrkA
Mother is an Equal Sharer
leka'kgkfj.kh ekrsfr opukr ekr`inL; tuuhijRokr u liRuhekr`ijRoefiA lÑr JqrL; eq[;xkS.kRokuqi iÙks%A
The expression 'mother' includes the step-mother, i.e., the other wives, if any, of the father. Their share was, however, liable to be reduced to the extent of stridhana in their possession.
SMRITI CHANDRIKA P.624:
Because of this rule, the rights of paternal grandmother or step-grandmother were also similar.
=== 1.4.2.3.5 Rights of daughters ===
Daughters, whose marriages had taken place before partition, were given no right in the coparcenary property of their parents' joint family. As regards unmarried daughters, a share in the coparcenary property was recognised.
LosH;ksa·'ksH;Lrq dU;kE;% izn/kqHkzkZrj% i`Fkdà LokR[kkna'kkPprqHkkZxa ifrrk% L;qjfnRlo%AA
MANU IX 118
To maiden sisters, each of the brothers shall give out of his share, one- fourth part. Those who fail to give shall become patita.
Kat.858, however, while repeating the rule, provides that in cases where the property is small, sons and unmarried daughters should share equally.
The Hindu law governing inheritance and partition of joint family property continues to be in force subject to the modifications brought about by legislations, the latest being the Hindu succession Act, 1955 under which a daughter is an equal sharer along with the son in the property of the father.
=== 1.4.2.3.6 Stridhana ===
Every property movable or immoveable, given to a woman by anyone constitutes her own absolute property. The rule of succession to Stridhana was that it would go to
daughters, to the exclusion of the sons and, to the sons only in the event of there being no daughters.
=== 1.4.2.3.7 Exception to women's property from the law of adverse possession ===
The provision of the law regarding perfecting title to immoveable property by adverse possession was very strict. Only after three generations could adverse possessions be pleaded, but in respect of property belonging to women no adverse possession could be pleaded at all at any time.
=== 1.4.2.3.8 Special provision in favor of women regarding quantum of penalty ===
In case of all offences only half of the punishment prescribed for man should be imposed on a woman (Katyayana-487)
=== 1.4.2.3.9 Death sentence for rape of a woman under custody ===
Capital sentence for committing the offence of rape against a woman arrested, by an officer of the state, was prescribed (vide Kautilya Arthasastra p.256)
The requirement of such severe punishment was recognised and section 376 of the I.P.C. was amended by Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1980, by which penalty of rigorous imprisonment of ten years is prescribed for the offence of the rape of a woman.
The above provisions in the smritis are referred to in this book in order to dispel the doubts created by some critics who argue that, according to Manusmriti, women were not entitled to freedom, and to show that on the other hand greater protection was given to women in our laws. In fact, by placing the entire burden of maintaining the women on the father, the husband, and the son, the law totally freed her from earning and from contributing to the maintenance of the family, leaving her free to dedicate her entire time and energy to the upbringing of children, which was by itself an onerous responsibility.
This exposition can be completed best by quoting what Kerry Brown has stated in his book, "The Essential Teachings of Hinduism", having ascertained the real meaning of the controversial verse in Manu.
In Hinduism a woman is looked after not because she is inferior or incapable but, on the contrary, because she is treasured. She is the pride and power of the society. Just as the crown jewels should not be left unguarded, neither should a woman be left unprotected. No extra burden of earning a living should be placed on women who already bear huge responsibilities in society; childbirth; child care, domestic well being and spiritual growth. She is 1he transmitter of culture to her children.
The important role assigned to women has been correctly identified. It is no doubt true that times have changed, we have women who are competent in various professions, avocations, competent in business, who are competent political rulers, bureaucrats, technocrats, advocates, judges and so on. But that is no reason to lose sight of the onerous responsibility of women of looking after the health and education of children or to forget the noble value of looking upon every woman as one's mother as that is the only powerful antidote for atrocities against women.