The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c9.11

c9.11

The Atharvaveda, however, shows that the funeral ritual of the Vedic age preserved some formalities reminiscent of the archaic custom of Satī. It shows that it was still customary for the widow to lie by the side of her husband's corpse on the funeral pyre; she was, however, asked to come down, and a prayer was offered that she should lead a prosperous life enjoying the bliss of children and wealth². It is therefore clear that the Vedic age expected the widow rather to remarry than to immolate herself.