The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s6.20

c2.s6.20

In strict accordance with this view of women stand the sayings in regard to her treatment. ‘Women (but wives are meant) should always be honored and petted. For when they are honored, the deities rejoice. . . and houses cursed by them are as if infected by magic' (xiii. 46. 5 ff.). To interpret the feeling that causes this, we may say that it is of the first importance that a wife should do as her husband wishes; if she is not petted and made much of, she will grow disagreeable; therefore the husband should keep her in good humor. This interpretation is inevitable, if we study the Hindu rules on the subject.*