Grihasta (householder) duties are additionally given now. Householder men should not touch Vidhvas (widowed women) who are not closely related to them - i.e. who are not Pasa Sambandhi, such that the death of whom does not result in observing Sutak (period of untouchibility).
The reason for this is that a widow has been labeled as ‘Amangal’ or inauspicious. Satsangi Jivan explains that they are Amangal as their husband has died who is Ardhanga (one half of the whole). Thus in this way, just as a person would be termed Amangal if he has a part of his body cut off, a widow is considered Amangal as she is without husband. Skanda Purana explains, ‘Out of all the things that are inauspicious, a widow is considered the most inauspicious. Therefore intelligent men should not touch widows who are not their close relative.’ There it is also explained, ‘The blessings of a widowed woman is considered a curse.’ Shatanand also explains that looking at a widow is also inauspicious and to destroy the sins of looking at a widowed woman, one should meditate upon Lord Narayana.
Saints have also explained that widows have been called inauspicious in order to protect their Dharma of Brahmcharya (celibacy). As widows, they are considered as servants of God, who are to spend the rest of their lives dedicated in devotion to God. Therefore to prevent degradation through association with males, they have been called inauspicious to prevent other men from interacting with them and ultimately causing them to veer from there primary duty of service to God.