The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.33

c8.33

The husband is therefore to treat his wife as his dearest friend. The wife is the true friend of a man, says a Vedic passage, and the Mahābhārata concurs with it⁵. Buddhist thinkers also have accepted the same view⁶. Naturally therefore the husband cannot even think of pleasure, if his wife cannot participate in it⁷. Human beings are imperfect and the wife may be sometimes cross. The husband must, however, put up with her¹. To maintain and support his wife is the most sacred duty of the husband, which must be discharged at all costs; otherwise, he would have no right at all to be called a husband². Above all, he must be true to his vow of conjugal fidelity; its violation is the greatest sin he can commit³.