History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.1240.3

v4.c63.1240.3

occupying the same seat or bed, taking dinner in the same row with him, cooking food in his cooking pots, partaking of cooked food prepared by him, being a sacrificial priest or employing him as a priest, being his teacher of the Veda or making him one's teacher of the Veda, giving him one's daughter in marriage or taking his daughter in marriage, taking food with him in the same pot. Devala¹¹⁶⁵ declares that sin is passed on from one man to another by conversation (with a sinner), by touching him, by his breath (coming in close contact with one's nose), by occupying the same vehicle (horse) or seat, by eating (in his company), by being a priest for him or by making him one's priest, by being his teacher of Veda or making him one's teacher or by matrimonial alliance. The same causes that led to a male being patita operated in the case of a woman to make her *patita*; there was one additional cause viz a woman became *patita* by sexual connection with a male of a lower class than herself (Gaut. 21. 9, Yāj. III. 297 and Śaunaka¹¹⁶⁶). The ancient sages were very considerate even to fallen women. They provide that even women that are *patita* and have not yet performed the proper penance were not to be cast on the streets, but they were to be given a hut (near the house) for residence and bare maintenance that would keep body and soul together and were to be guarded against further lapses (Yāj. III. 296). Vide H. of Dh. vol. II pp. 571-573.