The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s2.13

c14.s2.13

It was, however, being felt that this was not a satisfactory arrangement. Jurists gradually began to come forward to plead for a better recognition of the widow's claim. Gautama put forth a modest proposal that the widow should be regarded at least as a coheir with other *sapiṇḍas*². In course of time the opinion in favour of the recognition of the widow's right began to grow stronger. Why should she get only a portion of the husband's estate, and not the whole of it? It was felt that she ought to be the sole heir and not a coheir. This view has been for the first time advocated by Vishṇu at about the beginning of the Christian era. He definitely lays down that the widow shall inherit the whole estate on the failure of sons³. About a couple of centuries later Yājñavalkya joined Vishṇu in championing the widow's