History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c28.s2.10

v2.c28.s2.10

But the wife is not authorized to do religious acts independently of her husband or without his consent. Manu (V. 155 = Viṣṇu Dh. S. 25. 15) ordains ‘there is no separate yajña for women (independently of the husband) nor vrata (vows) nor fasts (without his consent).' Similarly Kātyāyana propounds¹²⁹⁸ a sweeping rule 'whatever a woman does to secure spiritual benefit after death without the consent of her father (when she is unmarried), or her husband or her son, becomes fruitless for the purpose intended.' Vide also Veda-Vyāsa smṛti II. 19. The Nityācārapaddhati (p. 329) quotes Manu V. 155 and remarks that Manu's words are not to be taken literally but are only meant to extol the eminence of the husband.