The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s2.36

c14.s2.36

is no authority to hold that the ownership in the husband’s property, which the wife acquires at the marriage, terminates with the husband’s death. How then can it be argued that the wife’s right is destroyed the moment she is widowed? Nor can it be maintained that she is to utilise just as much of the income as may be necessary for her bare maintenance. Vishṇu says that the property of a person dying without sons will first devolve upon the widow, and then upon the daughter, parents, etc. Now it is admitted that in the above text the term property denotes the whole income of the estate, when construed with all other heirs like the daughter, the brother, parents, etc. How then can it have a restricted meaning when it is construed with the widow alone¹?