The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c9.44

c9.44

From about 700 A. D. fiery advocates began to come forward to extol the custom of Satī in increasing numbers. Aṅgiras argued that the only course which religion has prescribed for a widow is that of Satī¹. Hārīta maintained that the wife can purify her husband from the deadliest of sins, if she burns herself with his remains. The two will then happily reside in heaven for three and a half crores of years². A passage interpolated in *Parāśarasmṛiti* observes that just as a snake-charmer forcibly drags out a snake from a hole by force, in the same manner the Satī takes out her husband from hell and enjoys heaven with him for three and a half crores of years³. Even if the wife had led a dissolute life, it would not matter; her immolation, even if not voluntary, will ensure a permanent seat in heaven both to her and her husband⁴.