The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c16.73

c16.73

The above passages are no doubt written deliberately with a view to blacken the character of women. But it is not to be assumed that the sentiments they express found general acceptance in society. Yudhishṭhira, for instance, refused to accept the theory that women are by their very nature vicious and wicked; he pointedly enquired from Bhīshma that if such were really the case, how could scriptures have laid down that religious duties should be performed only in association with the wife? Bhīshma, unable to give a rational reply, contented himself by narrating a cock and bull story, wherein he made a woman herself declare that her sex was vice incarnate (*Mbh*, XIII, 73-8). Such fantastic stories can, however, carry no conviction to any reasonable person. Varāhamihira has subjected the case of the misogynist to a very critical and searching analysis and crossexamination. He at the outset points out that all the defects that have been attributed to women exist in men as well. Women however try to remove them, while men are supremely indifferent in the matter. Marriage vows are equally binding on the couple. Men treat them lightly, while women act up to them. Who suffers more from the sex urge, men who marry even in their old age, or women who lead a chaste life, even if widowed in the prime of their youth? Men no doubt go on talking of their love to their wives while they are alive, but contract second marriages soon after their death; women, on the other hand, feel grateful to their husbands and decide to follow them on the funeral pyre, urged by the promptings of their conjugal love. Who then is more sincere in his love, man or woman? For men to say that women are fickle, frail and faithless is the height of impudence and ingratitude; it reminds one of the audacity of clever thieves who first send away their loot and then challenge innocent persons demanding from them the stolen articles¹.