History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.350

v5.c71.s1.350

Women victims were placed on the same footing as kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra males (Yāj. III. 236 and Manu XI 66), except the cases where the woman was an Ātreyī or pregnant or in her monthly illness (Gaut 22 17, Āp Dh. S. I. 9. 24. 5 and 9, Baud. Dh. S. II. 1.10, 12-13, Vas 20 34, Viṣṇu Dh. S. 50 7-9) or the wife of a twice-born performing a soma sacrifice, when the penance was heavy (like the one for *brahmahatyā*) The period of soma-yāga was reckoned from the *Dīkṣaṇīyā iṣṭi* to the *Udayasānīyā* (acc to the Mit) or up to the end of *avabhṛtha* bath (acc. to Aparārka). For killing women guilty of adultery the penances were higher and varied according to the caste of the paramour and of the woman (vide Gaut 22.26-27, Manu XI. 138, Yāj III. 268-269).