* Description of Chaste and Unchaste Women.
Description of Chaste and Unchaste Women.
Shri Narayan Muni said:-
O Brahmin!, I shall now explain the duties of women – both married (living with husband) and widows; which, when performed, would give them happiness in this and the next world. 1.
In the hoary past, these duties were explained by sati (Shiva’s wife) in an auspicious text (known as Satigita), on the mount Kailash, in the presence of Shiva, for the benefit of women like Ganga and others. 2.
Those are the very rules I am explaining to you, along with their special aspects. O Brahmin! It is for the well-being of the women, desirous of happiness, in this world. 3.
Sadhavas are the women offered in marriage by their fathers (guardians and others) to grooms of appropriate families, looks and qualities. They are given away in marriage as per the rituals of the marriage ceremony. 4.
Those women who in the course of time, lose their husbands (due to death) are called widows. They are just like Sanyasins. 5.
There are two kinds of Sadhavas, namely Pativrata and Kulata. Those women who engage in extramarital relationships are called kulata. 6.
Even though (she is) born in a good family, a Kulata is wicked by nature. She is impious, always displeased and quarrelsome. 7.
She always finds faults with her husband and sexually gratifies her paramour. Additionally, she is wicked by nature and treats her husband like poison even though he may be righteous. 8.
As she is vile by nature, overcome by lust, she always regards her paramour as the God, and out of love for him , she always looks at him with a pleasing eye. 9.
At the sight of a well-dressed youthful man who is skilled in love making, she is always overcome by carnal desires. 10.
Though reprimanded by the elders and refrained by sons and others, she finds her paramour, and cannot be stopped even by a King. 11.
Nothing is dear to her; except her selfish interest; as cows go in search of new pastures in the forest, similarly she desires for new men, ever. 12.
She has no interest in religious practices like observing vows, penance or domestic work. Also, she has no regard for the elders. Her fickle mind is full of love for her paramour. 13.
In the Puranas, Kulata (libertine) women are said to be of three kinds: Svairini, Kamini and Pumscali. 14.
Svairinis are those who are desirous of men of their own Varna (caste). Kaminis are those who are desirous of men both of their own Varna and other Varnas. 15.
Those women who have sexual relations with men of their caste, men of other castes and their own relatives are called Pumscalis. 16.
These three kinds of kulatas (libertine women) after death, would certainly suffer torture in hell, till the end of the kalpa (i.e end of the world). There is no hope of any good befalling them. 17.
A woman who is loyal and renders service only to her husband is called Pativrata. Her husband is dearer to her than her own life. 18.
To her, the husband ranks above, God, a demon or any other man. She serves him like she would serve a God, with love and without guile. 19.
Pativarta is one who undertakes a religious vow, partakes in charity, performs penance, worship, sacrifice and engages in such other acts only with the consent of her husband. 20.
As the mind of those (parents) who have a single son is constantly fixed on him, as the mind of the Vaishnavas is fixed on Vishnu, as that of the one-eyed is on their only eye, as the thirsty have their mind fixed on water. As the mind of a hungry man is fixed on food, as the lustful thinks only of women, as the attention of thieves is always directed towards other’s wealth, as libertines constantly think only of their paramours, as learned men are always interested in the scriptures,as merchants always think of their business, the mind of a Pativrata (faithful wife) is fully focused on her husband’s concerns. 21-23.
O great Brahmin! Now I shall explain to you the duties of Pativratas, in detail. By adhering to those, they would go along with their dear husbands to Satiloka (abode of sati) which is worthy of attainment even for the Gods. 24.
Thus ends the thirtieth chapter entitled, ‘narration of code of conduct for married women in women’s code of conduct,’ in the fifth Prakaran of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra (the rules of the code of conduct). 30