The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.60

c8.60

It may be pointed out that ancient Indian history knows of no matricides. In this connection an interesting anecdote is given in Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra. Ajātaśatru, who wanted to kill his father by starvation, discovered that his plan was not succeeding because a step-mother of his was surreptitiously carrying him nourishment by smearing honey to her person. When he decided to kill this step-mother, his ministers remonstrated and said, ‘ Bad kings, 18,000 in number, have killed their fathers, but we have yet not heard of any, who has killed his mother’. Upon this, we are told, Ajātaśatru gave up his plan ( *S.B.E*, XLIX, Part ii, p. 163).