History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.380

v4.c63.t2.380

Kāt. (916) delivers a special rule viz. ‘strīdhana¹⁵²⁵ which was promised (to a woman) by her husband should be paid to her as a debt by the sons (i. e. by her own sons or stepsons) provided she resides in the husband’s family; she should not reside with her paternal family.’ The Sm. C. and V. P. (p. 546) explain that even grandsons and great-grandsons are liable to pay just as sons are. According to Kāt. as understood by the Sm. C. and others a wife who is full of evil acts, is immodest, wastes property and is given up to adultery, does not deserve (to dispose of) strīdhana and V. P. and V. C. explain that it may be taken away from her in such a case.¹⁵²⁶ In modern times this rule of forfeiture of rights would not be enforced by the courts as regards strīdhana. Some explain this verse as referring to the widow as heir and separate the words as ‘strī dhanam.’¹⁵²⁷ Vide *Ganga v. Ghasita* 1 All. 46 (F. B.), 48–49.