The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.95

c8.95

It is no doubt true that such stories are intended to illustrate the power of a *pativratā* and her unswerving devotion to her husband in the most trying circumstances. They are not to be taken too literally. Nevertheless, the fact that their imaginary plots should have been conceived on these lines shows that the position of the wife *vis-a-vis* her husband had changed very greatly to her disadvantage by about the 4th century A. D¹. The situation worsened with the abuse of the very guarded permission given to the husband to take a second wife. The concession was intended only for certain specific and unusual circumstances. But soon men began to think more of the permission than of the qualifying conditions. When this tendency manifested itself in society, it was the clear duty of Smṛiti writers to condemn it in the most unqualified manner. In stead of discharging it, many of them virtually proceeded to encourage frivolous irresponsibility in men by permitting them to marry a second time, if the first wife were guilty merely of unpleasant speech. This shows a light-heartedness, which is hardly creditable to any writers who profess to guide society.