The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s2.20

c14.s2.20

Nārada, Kātyāyana and king Bhoja of Malava (*c.* 1015- to *c.* 1055 A. D.) were the chief advocates of the orthodox view. Nārada lays down that if a man dies without any issue or heirs, his property should ultimately escheat to the king, who was to provide only a maintenance to the widow². It is clear that Nārada did not mind property escheating to the crown; he would not, however, allow it to be inherited by the widow. Kātyāyana apparently held an identical view¹. Bhoja would allow the widow to be an heir only if she submitted to Niyoga. This virtually amounted to denying her the right of inheritance, for Niyoga had become very obnoxious since 500 A. D., and no woman would have agreed to be a party to it. And even if she had consented, her ownership would have been a short-lived one; it would have terminated with the birth of the expected son.