The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c13.42

c13.42

The Vedic literature is silent about the precise scope of Strīdhana. We get an idea of its scope only from the Dharmaśāstra works. Manu is the earliest writer to give a comprehensive description of Strīdhana. According to him it consists of six varieties; (1-3) gifts given by the father, the mother and the brother at any time; (4) gifts of affection given by the husband subsequent to the marriage; (5-6) and presents given by anybody either at the time of the marriage, or at the time when the bride is taken to her new home¹. Gifts under most of these categories would consist usually of ornaments and costly apparel, and Manu is very vehement in denouncing those who would deprive women of these presents after their husbands' death². Vishṇu (XVII, 18) adds three more categories to Strīdhana, (1) gifts given by the son (2) or any other relation; (3) and the compensation given to the wife at the time of her supersession on the occasion of her husband's second marriage. The above distinctions in the different varieties of Strīdhana are not of great importance; suffice it to say that it mainly consisted of gifts given by relations, either at the time of the marriage or subsequent to it.