[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915) › v2.c12.25 # Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c12.25 Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c12.25 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c12.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c12.25) On pṛthagyajño there is a strong stress, and even in the house the woman according to her standing in law has no importance at all in herself. The woman throughout her life is dependent, and therefore also she is not entitled to hold property, as is often laid down. In childhood she is under the rule and protection of her father, in the flower of her age under her husband's, and if the husband is dead, under her sons'. She can never enjoy freedom to dispose of herself. See e.g. Manu, v, 147 f. ; Vas., v, 1-2 ; Yājñav., i, 85 ; Nārada, xiii, 28-31 ; Viṣṇu, xxv, 12-13 ; Mahānirvāṇat., viii, 106 ; Baudh., ii, 2, 3.44. In the last two passages the well-known pronouncement is found in immediate connexion : "Through obedience to her husband she wins heaven." And for the gods also she is only a—woman. Only together with her husband can she do pious works, only together with her husband can she come into paradise. And there, too, the stone wall stares before her with the flaming inscription : Asvatantrī dharme strī "The woman has no independence in virtue, religion, or law" (Gautama, xviii, 1). It is only over the gates of hell that for the Indian woman who may thirst for freedom there stands the direct opposite of those famous words of Dante. Bitterly, but with truth Ramabai Sarasvati calls out : "The only place where she can be independent of him is in hell" (\*The High Caste Hindu Woman\*, p. 41). So the woman must not go on a pilgrimage either; her place of pilgrimage is her husband, and good works are done at home. Mahānirvāṇatantra, viii, 100 f. Cp. here the splendid words of the - [Previous: v2.c12.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c12.24) - [Next: v2.c12.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c12.26) - [Up: v2.c12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c12) ## Linked texts (8) - [Vaiṣṇava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.visnu.25.12) — Viṣṇu, Sanskrit - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.5.147) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Baudhāyanadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.baudhayana.2.2) — Baudhāyana, Sanskrit - [Vasiṣṭhadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.vasistha.5.1) — Vasiṣṭha, Sanskrit - [Yājñavalkyasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.yajnavalkya.1.85) — Yājñavalkya, Sanskrit - [Gautamadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.gautama.18.1) — Gautama (dharmasūtrakāra), Sanskrit - [Mahānirvāṇatantra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.sampradaya.general.sakta.mahanirvana) — Sanskrit - [Nāradasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.narada) — Nārada, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c12.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.meyer-1915.v2.c12.25) · Pramāṇa