The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c12.23

c12.23

If the husband was out on a journey, or if his co-operation was unavailable for any other similar reason, then the wife could offer the sacrifices all alone. On the morning of Rāma's installation as the crown prince, Kauśalyā is seen performing all alone the Svastiyāga to ensure felicity to her son¹; she was the neglected wife, and probably she felt that it would be too much to expect her husband to come to participate in the sacrifice. At that time he was as a matter of fact engaged in assuaging the wrath of his favourite wife Kaikeyī. Similarly Tārā is represented by Vālmīki as performing alone the Svasti sacrifice, when her husband Vālī was about to issue out to fight with Sugrīva. This was probably because Vālī was then too busily engaged in equipping himself to find time to participate in his wife's sacrifice. These instances show that in the early period women's participation in sacrifices was a real one; nay, very often husbands used to leave the whole affair to the exclusive charge of their wives, when they were otherwise very busy.