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स्त्रियः श्रियश्च गेहेषु न विशेषोऽस्ति कश्चन ।। (Manusmriti 9.26)
 
स्त्रियः श्रियश्च गेहेषु न विशेषोऽस्ति कश्चन ।। (Manusmriti 9.26)
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Meaning:
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A woman is respected for her ability to procreate, and are the shining lamps of the house. They are the very treasure of the family.
    
मातृवत्परदारेषु यः परद्रव्येषु लोष्टवत् ।
 
मातृवत्परदारेषु यः परद्रव्येषु लोष्टवत् ।
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कन्याधिकाः पालनीया भ्रातृभार्य्यास्नुषास्वसा ।। (Shukraneeti 3.166)
 
कन्याधिकाः पालनीया भ्रातृभार्य्यास्नुषास्वसा ।। (Shukraneeti 3.166)
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Meaning:
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Daughter’s sons, sister’s sons and brothers are to be treated more importantly than own sons. Brother’s wives, daughter-in-laws of the house and sisters are to be given more importance than own daughter in a family. This shloka emphasizes the importance of different roles of  woman in a family and the lofty position she is to be given. 
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These civilisational values of Bharat that have been distorted and misinterpreted by self-styled Indologists of the East India Company are the most valuable contribution to humanity.  Apart from creating the value of respect for womanhood there have been special provisions for protecting several human rights of women.  Rules of Dharma created an obligation on the part of the male members of a family to afford protection to every woman at every age and stage of life (Manusmriti 9.3).  Further under Rajadharma it was the duty of the State to provide protection to women.  
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These civilizational values of Bharat that have been distorted and misinterpreted by self-styled Indologists of the East India Company are the most valuable contribution to humanity.  Apart from creating the value of respect for womanhood there have been special provisions for protecting several human rights of women.  Rules of Dharma created an obligation on the part of the male members of a family to afford protection to every woman at every age and stage of life (Manusmriti 9.3).  Further under Rajadharma it was the duty of the State to provide protection to women.  
    
पिता रक्षति कौमरे भर्ता रक्षति यौवने ।
 
पिता रक्षति कौमरे भर्ता रक्षति यौवने ।
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रक्षन्ति स्थविरे पुत्रा न स्त्री स्वातन्त्रयमर्हति ।।  
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रक्षन्ति स्थविरे पुत्रा न स्त्री स्वातन्त्रयमर्हति ।। (Manusmriti 9.3)
    
“Father protects the girl during her childhood, the husband protects her after marriage and her sons protect her in old age.  At no stage a woman should be left free. (without protection)”
 
“Father protects the girl during her childhood, the husband protects her after marriage and her sons protect her in old age.  At no stage a woman should be left free. (without protection)”
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== Special Provisions of Ancient Laws: ==
 
== Special Provisions of Ancient Laws: ==
1. Women’s Property:  The provision of ancient Indian law regarding perfecting title to an immovable property by adverse possession was made inapplicable in respect of property belonging to women, state and temple.
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# Women’s Property:  The provision of ancient Indian law regarding perfecting title to an immovable property by adverse possession was made inapplicable in respect of property belonging to women, state and temple.  न भोगं कल्पयेत्स्त्रीषु देवराजधनेषु च ।The spirit of or object behind modern laws  ensuring women’s rights have been enshrined in our Vedas as is seen in the verse of Manusmriti- women require protection against the onslaughts of males with evil propensities.
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# Death sentence for rape of women in custody :  संरुध्दस्य वा तत्रैव घातः ।  तदेवाध्यक्षेण गृहीतायामार्यायां विद्यात् ।।  “Capital sentence should be imposed for offence of rape committed against a woman arrested by an officer of the State”.  (Kautilya Arthasastra, p. 256)
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# बलाच्चेत्पहृता कन्या मन्त्रैर्यदि न संस्कृता ।  अन्यस्मै विधिवद्देया यथा कन्या तथैव सा ।।  “ If a damsel has been abducted and not given in marriage in accordance with lase, she may lawfully be given to another man. She is as chaste as a maiden.” (Vasishta, p. 72-73, Dharmakosha, p. 1021)  This specific provision “she  is as chaste as a maiden” is most humane for women who are the unfortunate victims of sexual assault, thus restoring their social status in the society.
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न भोगं कल्पयेत्स्त्रीषु देवराजधनेषु च ।
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== Why and how did March 8th come to be celebrated as International Women’s Day? ==
 
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Women’s day is celebrated with much gusto on March 8th every year in different parts of the world. The trend has caught on in India too since the last decade or two. It was on this date March 8th 1885, that Susan Anthony of USA, addressed the House of Representatives in USA for equal rights for women, to vote in the US elections. Until then, the women in USA did not have the right to vote in elections. This day, thus represents a fight for equality from a position of inequality. While this is a red letter day for the march of women in USA, there have been many brave women in other parts of the world too who have fought the prevailing social conditions to bring about equality for women.  
The spirit of or object behind modern laws  ensuring women’s rights have been enshrined in our Vedas as is seen in the verse of Manusmriti- women require protection against the onslaughts of males with evil propensities.  
      
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
# DHARMA The Global Ethic by Justice M. RAMA JOIS
 
# DHARMA The Global Ethic by Justice M. RAMA JOIS

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