Essay - Hinduism Manusmriti in the Vedic Conception of the World, the...

Hinduism

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In the Vedic conception of ***** world, the attributions of men and women inside ***** family ***** in the society differ to the greatest extent. According ***** the Laws ***** Manu, men have to respect ***** gods and various religious regulations. The wo*****'s main role however is ***** obey the male world: *****ir fathers in the young age, their husbands once they are given into marriage and even their sons when ***** have reached an old age.

Thus, the basic principle that guides the division between the male and the female world is independence: in ***** Vedic world, the woman is not allowed to act independently. The text of the Laws of Manu emphasizes this idea over and over. Thus, it is imperatively stated ***** any woman ***** any age must obey her husband and ***** other men around her. She is forbidden thus to act independently, ***** only in ***** but ***** ***** own house as well: "147. By a girl, by a young woman, or ***** by an aged one, nothing must be d***** in*****ependently, even in her own house."

148. In childhood a fem*****le ***** be subject to her father, in youth to her *****, when her lord ***** dead to her sons; a ***** must never be **********." The woman is made ***** obey only, as long ***** she lives, according to the Vedic tradition: "151. Him ***** whom her fat***** may give her, or her brother with the father's permission, she shall obey as long as he *****, and when he is dead, s***** must not insult (his memory)." It ***** be noted thus that the Laws of Manu were given as a guide on proper conduct ***** the duties of every individual according to the social class that they belonged *****. The ***** ***** ***** hierarchy is therefore a central concept of Hinduism, and it pervades all the Vedic teachings. As such, it does not come as a surprise ***** ***** wo***** as well are inscribed in a cert*****in social category that is considered to be inferior to that ***** men. ***** condition of the ***** is obviously degrading in the ancient Indian society. *****, she is never honored ***** any way for her own qualities or virtues, ***** only if ***** knows how ***** ***** ***** please her husband in all his wishes. Moreover, the wife must o*****y her ***** ***** when the latter is neit***** virtuous, nor faithful to her and her children: "154. Though destitute of virtue, or seeking pleasure (elsew*****e), or devoid of good qualities, (yet) a husband ***** be constantly *****rshipped as a god by a faithful wife." The justification that ***** laws offer for this unjust position attributed to women is ***** the women are natur*****y inclined to be heartless and unfaithful to their *****: "15. Through their passion ***** men, through ***** mutable temper, through their natural *****ness, they be***** disloyal towards their husbands, ***** carefully ***** ***** be guarded in this (world)." The *****feriority