The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.63

c8.63

A few lines may be conveniently devoted here to the delineation of the family ideal. The words of a Vedic sage may be quoted in this connection. ‘The husband and the wife are to be of one mind : the matron is to be noted for the sweetness of speech : brothers and sisters are to be of one accord ; sons are to be smart and intelligent so as to carry on and further the work of the father’². The Vedic age required the householder to tend three sacred fires, Āhavanīya, Gārhapatya and Dākshiṇeya. Social thinkers of a later age pointed out that this can be best done only by showing proper respect to parents, by promoting the welfare and happiness of the wife, children and servants, and by offering willing and effective help to self-sacrificing public workers (*Ang. Ni.*, IV, p. 44).