Markandeya Purana (Study)
by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words
This page relates 鈥楻ole of Women as Wife鈥� of the study on the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas preserving the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. The Markandeyapurana commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, modes of worship, yoga, etc.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Role of Women as Wife
The role of a woman, as a wife, is very significant. As a 辫补迟苍墨 or 补谤诲丑腻峁単颈苍墨 or 蝉补丑补诲丑补谤尘颈峁嚹� she remains always associated to her husband. The happiness of a married couple exists in the ideal relationship of both the husband and the wife. Yet the wife is seen to be very careful. Amongst those, who are liable to respect or worship, the wife places her husband in the highest place.
As stated in the 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 the husband is the supreme deity for a wife:
The 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 also describes the husband to be the goal of a wife:
The 笔补诲尘补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 states the great importance and relation between husband and wife through the sacred tie.[3] The purity of husband wife鈥檚 bondage is as old as in the 峁欢惫别诲补.[4]
In the 惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 also wives are shown to be always humble and loyal to her husband鈥檚 service. It has been stated that as a sign of high respect to her husband, a wife should always eat the food which has been left by the husband.[5] A wife is the cause of righteousness, happiness, wealth and love for her husband. In the 惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 a wifeless man is not respected.[6]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 6.18.33
[2]:
搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, ayodhy膩k膩nda, 27.10
[3]:
笔补诲尘补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, Bh奴mikha峁囜笉a, 42.39
[4]:
A.S. Altekar, Position of Women in Hindu Civilization, p.31
[5]:
惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 47.66,73
[6]:
Ibid., 71.9-11