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186
Dvyāśrayakāvya
Although she is referred to as a partner of man and could eat and drink with him in one pot (XI.2), yet women were left to their fate. It is mentioned that one could put his wife at stake (XIII.64). She was so much on the will of her husband that if she possessed the signs of one who kills her husband (Patighnī) she was either abandened or married to to even an enemy (XI.46). After the death of her husband a widow dressed herself in a deer-leather (IV.65).
They had a freedom to go to bazar to make purchases etc. Such a woman is called Paņitri or Panitri or Panāyitri (V11.78). In one place, they are referred as pursuing lovers (VII.82).
Women were given education and the wives of high officers are mentioned to be proficient even in politics and grammar (IV.44). They were especially given education in fine arts viz. singing and dancing. Abhayatilakagaại has referred to slxty four types of fine arts (I.106).
Usually purdah was not used by women. But sometimes while going to a public place, the purdah was observed. The word "Asūryam paśyā” indicates to the prevalence of the veil. The purdah was not strictly observed everywhere. Abu Zaid an Arabian traveller of the early tenth century has noticed that in most of the courts of India, queens appeared in public without any veil?.
They went in temples with the covered face and saw the dance being performed before the statue of Jina from the stern of stone before them (Ku. II.28). Sweet-natured women were appreciated (1.35). Married girls were instructed to
1. (a) Elliot and Dowson : History of India, as told by its own
historians, London, 1867-77. Vol. I. p.11. (b) Altekar, A.S: Position of women is Hindu civilization, p.172.
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