POSITION OF WOMEN WITH SPECIA REFERENCE TO MANUSMRITI

Abstract

For centuries, women have played the secondary role to man. She was never held in esteem; only a mention about her pathetic status was mentioned here and there. But the advent of science and technology, growth of democratic ideas and impact of modern industrialization and general awareness and conscience among the masses has paved way for the emancipation of women. As per Encyclopedia of Women “women is as much human being as man; as she is equally entitled to develop her abilities, all her abilities, to choose the sort of life she wishes to lead and carry on all the activities and assume all the responsibilities that go to make up human dignity”. The Manusmriti (MS) of Manu is also called Manusamhita or Manavadharmasastra. It is a standard and the most authoritative work on Hindu law and present the normal form of Hindu society and civilization. It is a store house of information on the cultural, social, religious, ethical, educational, political, judicial and geographical life of the period and this is perfectly natural. Manusmriti has been upheld as the ultimate guide to lead a moral life, the digressing of which is to be treated with serious negative sanctions.