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Line 5: − + − + + + + − Manusmriti mandates in the following verse that highest respect and regard must be extended to women.<blockquote>" − '''<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)'''"</blockquote><blockquote>" − 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,"</blockquote><blockquote>" − '''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'''"</blockquote><blockquote>" − '''MANU-III-62-114'''"</blockquote><blockquote>" − 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. − "</blockquote>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.+ + − + − '''firk j{kfr dkSekjs HkrkZ j{kfr ;kSousA j{kfUr LFkfojs iq=k u L=h LokrU«;egZfrAA'''"</blockquote><blockquote>"+ − '''MANU-IX-3'''"</blockquote><blockquote>" − − "</blockquote>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. + Line 41:
Line 30: − + − '''mik/;k;kUn'kkpk;Z vkpk;kZ.ka 'kra firkA lgL=a rq fir`Uekrk xkSjos.kkfrfjP;rsAA'''"</blockquote><blockquote>"+ − '''MANU II-145'''"</blockquote><blockquote>"+ − − "</blockquote>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.
Rights of Women (स्त्रीत्वाधिकारः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:23, 11 September 2017
, 19:23, 11 September 2017slokas
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.
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.
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 <blockquote>"
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, <blockquote>''"Y<nowiki/>ou 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."''</blockquote>Having said so he got her decorated with jewels and rich dress, and she was restored to the defeated Subhedhar who was overwhelmed and realized the importance given to the value of respect for womanhood in this land.
''<nowiki/>'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' .''"</blockquote>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.<blockquote>"यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता: ||</blockquote><blockquote>यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफला: क्रिया: ||</blockquote><blockquote>शोचंति जामयो यत्र विनश्यत्याशु तत्कुलम् |</blockquote><blockquote>न शोचंति तु यत्रैता वर्धते तद्धि सर्वदा ||</blockquote><blockquote>जामयो याति मोहानि संपत्य प्रतिपूजिता: |</blockquote><blockquote>ताति कृत्याहतानीव विनश्यंन्ति समन्वत: || " (Manu 3(56)-(57)-(58) )</blockquote>Meaning : 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,<blockquote>"स्त्रियां तु रोचमानायां सर्वं तद्रोचते कुलम् |</blockquote><blockquote>तस्यां त्वरोचमानायां सर्वमेव न रोचते |</blockquote><blockquote>सुवासिनी: कुमारंश्च रोगिणो गर्भिणी: स्त्रिय: |</blockquote><blockquote>अतिथिभ्योग्र एवैतान् भोजयेदविचारयन् || " (Manu-III-62-114)</blockquote>Meaning : 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 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.
== 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>"
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.
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.
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.
=== Refuting the baseless allegations ===
=== Refuting the baseless allegations ===
A few illustrations will make the above aspect clear :
A few illustrations will make the above aspect clear :
The above illustrations are not exhaustive. There are many situations in which the women/girls require greater care, protection and security.
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
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.<blockquote>"
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.<blockquote>"उपाध्यायान्दशाचार्य आचार्याणं शतं पिता |</blockquote><blockquote>सहस्त्रं तु पितृन्माता गौरवेणातिरिच्यते || " (Manu II-145)</blockquote>Meaning : 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.
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.
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:
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: