The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c12.4

c12.4

The Aryans also regarded the woman as untouchable during her monthly period. This was the case as early as the Indo-Iranian age. Like the Hindus, the Iranians also used to segregate women during this period and regard them as religiously impure (Vendi-dad, 16). The Vedic age assigned this temporary impurity of women to their taking over from Indra one third the sin of Brahmana murder, which he incurred when he had killed Vṛitra (*T. S.*, II, 5, 1, 5-7). During this period, therefore, Hindu society has been regarding women as extremely impure and temporarily untouchable. Even the sight of their person and the sound of their voice were to be avoided. Hygienic rules often appear in the form of religious taboos in Hindu culture, and there can be no doubt that the complete isolation of women that was insisted upon during this period was partly due to the desire of ensuring complete rest which is so desirable for them at this time.