[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938) › c8.53 # The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.53 The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.53 - **Language:** English ### [c8.53](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938.c8.53) Motherhood therefore has been the cherished ideal of every Hindu woman. The birth of a son immediately heightens her status. Kisā Gautamī was not well treated for some time after her marriage ; things changed for the better the moment a son was born to her (\*Thg.\*, 63 and comm.). Devout prayer is offered in the marriage ritual that the couple may be blessed with sons and grandsons (X, 85, 42). Childlessness was regarded as a great misfortune¹, and every effort was made to overcome it. What a childless woman looks on, gods do not accept. India then needed more and more men and women to develop the country, and so the ideal was of a large family. The Vedic father was anxious for ten sons ; the number was reduced to eight in the Smṛiti period. - [Previous: c8.52](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938.c8.52) - [Next: c8.54](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938.c8.54) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938.c8) ## Cites (2) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg.10.85.42) — Sanskrit - [Therīgāthā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.therigatha) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938.c8.53](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1938.c8.53) · Pramāṇa