Manusmriti: Feminine Divinity and Empowerment through Scriptures

Manusmriti, an ancient legal text among the many Dharma-shastra of Sanatana dharma, is traditionally the most authoritative of the books of the Sanatana dharma code. Also known as Manava-dharma-shastra i.e. The Dharma Text of Manu – the first man. Often misinterpreted because of its complex Vedic Sanskrit, Manusmriti is probably the first text that reveres Women as Goddesses. And these four instances from this ancient text elaborates more on how Manusmriti provides supremacy to women’s dignity and honor.

Manusmriti and worshipping Women:

Verse 3.56 यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः। यत्रैताः तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वाः तत्राफला क्रियाः॥

Meaning: God rejoices at a place where women are worshiped. And where they aren’t, all the sacred rites of those who disrespect them become fruitless.

This not just tells why one should respect women. It also shows how respect is one of the greatest expressions of love that empowers women. You shouldn’t respect a woman considering it an obligation or a moral duty but because she deserves every ounce of it.

With her happiness comes the family’s happiness:

Verse 3.62 स्त्रियां तु रोचमानायां- सर्वं तद् रोचते कुलम्। तस्यां त्वरोचमाना- यां सर्वमेव न रोचते॥

Meaning: A family is happy and contented only when the woman in the family is joyously unrestrained. And if she isn’t, the family appears dismal with a profane sadness.

It’s extremely important to understand that happiness isn’t just about feeling good but it’s a sense of being. A conscious feeling on how to live your life. The fundamental reason behind why happiness is the first and foremost thing to look forward to is because it creates a better society. It guides you towards living a meaningful life. And the onus of your happiness isn’t just on the woman of the family. The onus of the woman’s happiness is also on you.

Manusmriti gives equal status to women and men:

Verse 9.130 यथैवात्मा तथा पुत्रः पुत्रेण दुहिता समा। तस्यामात्म- नि तिष्ठन्त्य- ां कथमन्यो धनं हरेत्॥

Meaning: The way a son is himself, so is a daughter and hence the daughter is equal to the son in all terms. No one should discriminate her on any grounds and must consider her an heir to the property.

The modern claim that only a son can inherit a property is successfully nullified in this stanza. It proves that ancient Indians treated their daughters as equal as sons with utmost respect and love. It also stands as a reason to those who still discriminate between their children on the basis of gender, for not doing so.

Marriage aspects:

Verse 9.89 काममामरणा- ् तिष्ठेद् गृहे कन्यार्तुम- त्यपि। न चैवैनां प्रयच्छेत्- तु गुणहीनाय कर्हि चित्॥

Meaning: Despite a woman not marrying within three years of hitting puberty, must never marry a man devoid of good qualities and should remain in her own house till death.

This is such a powerful belief that tells the worth of a woman who refuses to surrender to the patriarchal society that this world has become. To the wrong traditions followed for ages, and most importantly to her own feminine self – who’s tired of fighting.