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BHARATA
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pertaining to their varņas, and taught them many things. For this he came to be known as the sixteenth Manu, the fifteenth being Risabha Devaji. The law he gave forms part of the Upasakādhyayana Anga, which is now only available in fragments. The one great point in respect of which the law he gave to the people differs from all the other systems that are now prevailing in India concerned the position of the woman. He made her a full heiress of her husband's property, and placed her before the son ! The effect was wonderful; for it saved the son from idleness, and taught him to acquire proficiency in work and trade, and endowed him with pleasing mannerism! In a joint family the rule is for the sons to loll about in idleness; exceptions are rare. In the Jaina family the rule was work, efficiency and fitness ! Arrogance, even boorish and unmannerly arrogance, might develop under the one system, but it would have nothing to support itself upon in the other.
It would seem that the three kinds of punishments, namely, corporal punishment, physical detention and monetary fine, were known in the time of Bharata, who knew how to temper justice with mercy, and taught others to do so. He encouraged partition as it tends to increase the merit of individuals; and recognized wills and trusts.
