[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.4249 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4249 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.4249 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4249](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4249) VIDHAVĀ A woman whose husband is dead. In ancient India, it was ordained how a widow should live. It was allowed for a widow to get a son by her younger brother-in-law to continue the family line in case the death of her husband occurred before the couple had children.. The procedure about this is given in Manusmṛti, Chapter 9. - [Previous: c9.4248](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4248) - [Next: c9.4250](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4250) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4249](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4249) · Pramāṇa