WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
The following advice to would-be husbands is from the "Upanishads."
"She is the best of women whose garments are pure. Therefore let him approach a woman whose garments are pure, and whose fame is pure, and address her."
"If she do not give in, let him, as he likes, bribe her with presents. And if she then do not give in, let him, as he likes, beat her with a stick, or with his hand overcome her, saying: 'With my manly strength and glory I take away thy glory,' and thus she becomes unglorious."
"If she gives in, he says: 'With manly strength and glory I give thee glory,' and then they both become glorious."
Are these ordinances obeyed to the letter? We may decide that some laxity is as permissible to the Hindu women who reads Vishnu's "Institutes," as to her British sister who is acquainted with the Pauline Epistles. It is fairly evident, from all that we hear of the present position of the women of India, that neither Manu or Vishnu are invariably accepted quite literally.
In most of the extracts that I have given, from the "Laws of Manu" and "The Institutes of Vishnu," the bias seems undoubtedly to the advantage of men. But elsewhere in these pages I have quoted passages from Hindu literature which reveal rather less of the patriarchal spirit. And I am sure that Dr. Coomaraswamy would tell me that no clause in these codes militates directly against the highest interests of women.
Woman everywhere, even in polyandrous tribes, is
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