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328
LAWS OF MANU.
IX, 3.
ence by the males (of) their (families), and, if they attach themselves to sensual enjoyments, they must be kept under one's control.
3. Her father protects (her) in childhood, her husband protects (her) in youth, and her sons protect (her) in old age; a woman is never fit for independence.
4. Reprehensible is the father who gives not (his daughter in marriage) at the proper time; reprehen
sible is the husband who approaches not (his wife in , due season), and reprehensible is the son who does not protect his mother after her husband has died.
5. Women must particularly be guarded against evil inclinations, however trifling (they may appear); for, if they are not guarded, they will bring sorrow on two families.
6. Considering that the highest duty of all castes, even weak husbands (must) strive to guard their wives.
7. He who carefully guards his wife, preserves (the purity of) his offspring, virtuous conduct, his family, : himself, and his (means of acquiring) merit.
2. "Must be kept under one's control,' i.e. 'they must be restrained from their vicious attachment' (âtmano vase sthapya yathâ na sagyante), (Nâr.)
4. Yâgñ. I, 64. "At the proper time,' i.e. before she is marriageable; see Gaut. XVIII, 21; Vas. XVII, 67–71. The husband,' see Baudh. IV, 1, 17-19, and above, III, 45. After this verse K. inserts another, not mentioned by the commentators, 'If the wife is guarded, the (purity of the) offspring is secured thereby; if the (purity of the offspring is secured, oneself is secure.'
6. Yâgñ. I, 81. Weak husbands,' i. e. 'blind, lame, or poor ones, &c.' (Kull., Râgh.).
7. His family,' i. e. his ancestors,' because legitimate sons alone can offer the Sraddhas (Medh., Gov., Kull.), or his relatives,' because adultery brings dishonour (Medh., Râgh.), or the position of the
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