#thread: The position of women in the #Manusmriti

Women are held in highest esteem

It is clear from the internal evidence of the Manusmriti that the anti-women picture of Manu presented by some is baseless and contrary to the facts.
(1/n)

The provisions concerning women in Manu have been inspired by his sense of respect, justice and goodwill and his concern for their securityand equality with men. Here are some facts of evidence in support: -
(2/n) @trustmaddy

Maharshi Manu is the first great man of the world to have given the society the highest ideal about women which adds remarkably to the dignity’, status and self-respect of women.
3/n

However, where they are not shown any respect, all ventures and undertakings end in smoke. There can be no better proof to show the reverential attitude of Manu towards women than the extremely respectful and beautiful adjectives used for women by him.
4/n @RajivMessage @sankrant

He says that women in the family are instrumental in bringing good luck to the household; they are respectable; they are illuminating by their very presence and decorative in appearance;
5/n @ReclaimTemples @Samskrita @PiousPrabhakar

they are a symbol of prosperity; they are the mistresses and the solemanagers of the household; they are heavenly in influence; they areconducive to a smooth worldly journey (ix-11, 26, 28; v- 150).
6/n @davidfrawleyved @Voice_For_India @IndianSanskriti @SanjeevSanskrit

He adds that people wishing for their welfare must respect women and that those families and households in which women have to suffer slights. According to him the real happiness and welfare of a household lies in the happiness and welfare of the women in it (iii-55-62)
7/n

So he instructs the husband and the wife in the household to remain happy and satisfied witheach other, not to act against each other nd not to indulge in any such activity as may lead to their separation (ix-101·102). Only one verse will suffice to bring out Manu’s feelings.
8/n

Son and daughter have equal status

Those unacquainted with Manu’s code will be pleasantly surprisedto be informed tht Manu is the 1st lawgiver to have ordained that sonand daughter enjoy an equalstatus in the family. He has also given this concept a constitutional validity.
9/n

Son and daughter: Equal partners in parental property.

Manu regards both the son and the daughter as equal heirs toparental property. This opinion finds a mention in the Manusmriti in chapter ix-130,192. This very view has been quoted in the Nirukta as follows:-
10/n @NileshOak

Special instructions for the safety of women’s property:
Manu has ensured that nobody usurps the property of women under the impression that they are weaklings.
*
he given the same punishment as has been prescribed for thieves.
(11/n)

Stringent punishment for crimes against women
Manu has tried to ensure the security of women by laying down thatthe kidnappers and killers of women should be awarded capital punishmentand the rapists be banished after being tortured.
(12/n)

Manu has given clear instructions for the redressal of all difficulties, big or small, facing women. Men have been instructed not to quarrel with their mother,wife and daughter.
(13/n)

There is a provision for punishment to persons leveling false charges against them; to those deserting women even when they are innocent; to those who fail to fulfill conjugal obligations towards women.
(14/n)

Marital Freedom to Women:

Manu has an ideal approach on the subject of marriage of a woman. He has conceded to her the freedom of marrying a man of her choice whoin her opinion is the most suitable for her.
*
He has allowed remarried of a widow.

(15/n)

Marriage is a sybl of affection nd respect for girls and therefore acc to Manu dowry in any form ishighly improper nd hence forbidden. Earnestly wishing for thehappiness of women he suggests tht itis better to remain unmarried lifelong than to marry a wicked and viciousman
(16/n)

Joint obligations (Dharmic rites)

 The participation which women get in every field of activity enjoyed by men in India as sanctioned by Vedic Dharma is of a unique nature and is notto be seen elsewhere. Here no Dharmic rite, no social ceremony and nohousehold (cont.)

(17/n)

venture can be accomplished without women being associated.Manu also has the same creed to propound. So he entrusts the job of accomplishing Dharmic rites nd ceremonies to women, and gives directions that such rites should not be carried out without their participation
(18/n)

During the Vedic period women enjoyed allrights such as the right to study the Vedas, right to the wearing ofyajnopavita (sacred thread), right to doyajna (sacrificial ceremony) etc. They used to embellish the position of Brahma (the director) in the yajna ceremony.
(19/n)

They would acquire the position of seers (exponents) of Vedic hymns after having received high education. Manu who regarded the Vedas as being of axiomatic authority in all Dharmic matters was a great advocate of high education and all Dharmic rights(cont.)
(20/n)

Dharmic rights for women as ordainedin the Vedas. That is why he rules that all the rights relating to women.should be carried out under their own supervision with the chanting of Vedic hymns by them.
(21/n)

Preference of Women
The admirers of’ladies first’ culture will be gratified to learn that Manu has instructed that we should step a side to make way for women ona priority basis. He also rules that newly married women, unmarried girls, ailing (cont.)
(22/n)

ailing, expectant and old women should be provided foodfirst and then only should husband and wife in the family take meals together. All these provisions in Manu indicate the highdegree of sense of respect and affection he had for womenfolk.
(23/n) @Asvatthama1

The real import of Manu’s words canbe realized vis-a-vis a situation when there is looseness inadministration consequent upon a change inthe system of government following violent incidents. It isin such a situation that Manu’s words prove to be perfectly true.
(24/n)

This analysis makes it clear that the provisions made by Manu are neither anti-shudra nor anti-woman.They are in fact, extremely fair, just,impartial and even-handed.Manu has said nothing objectionable, nothing exceptionable.
(25/n) @ShefVaidya @AhmAsmiYodha @Sanjay_Dixit @sdeo76