Verse 11.188

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

एतदेव विधिं कुर्याद् योषित्सु पतितास्वपि ।
वस्त्रान्नपानं देयं तु वसेयुश्च गृहान्तिके ॥ १८८ ॥

etadeva vidhiṃ kuryād yoṣitsu patitāsvapi |
vastrānnapānaṃ deyaṃ tu vaseyuśca gṛhāntike || 188 ||

This same method is to be adopted also in the case of female outcasts; but clothing, food and drink shall be supplied to them and they shall live close to the house.—(188)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘This same method is to be adopted in the case of female outcasts,’—of women who have become outcasts.

Even in the case of such female outcasts as have not performed the expiation, and to whom ‘water’ has been offered, in the manner of a dead person,—food and clothing shall be supplied. Inasmuch as the text uses the word ‘dāna,’ what is meant is that she is to receive just enough food and clothing to keep her body, and she shall not be supplied with any articles of luxury.

‘Drink’— From the very propriety of the case, this stands for water. But, even if it was not supplied, she could get it in any quantities. What is meant therefore by its mention is that the man supplying her with it shall not do it in an affectionate manner.

Food and clothing also should be of the same inferior quality as the drink. Says Yājñavalkya (1.70)—‘One should deprive the unchaste woman of her rights, let her remain dirty, living on mere morsel of food, despised, and sleeping on the ground.’

The conditions that render women ‘outcasts’ are the same as those in the case of men. As for what has been said in connection with those who procure abortions—‘in cases of abortion, the woman does not incur a heavier guilt—etc., etc.’ what this means is only that both the man and the woman are equally guilty, and it does not mean that in cases other than this, the woman incurs a heavier guilt. Says Yājñavalkya (3.298)—‘Intercourse with inferior men, abortion, and injuring the husband are to be regarded as acts that degrade (render outcasts) women in particular.’

‘They shall live close to the house’—What is meant by the phrase ‘close to the house’ is that they shall be turned out of the main building and allowed to live in a separate hut.

Some people say that lodging close to the house is to be given to only those who are performing the expiation, and not for others.

But this is not right. Because what is really meant is that the supplying of food and clothing would be easier if she dwelt close by. While during the time that she is undergoing the expiation, she would be living on alms, or milk, or performing the Cāndrāyaṇa and other penances. And the rule regarding living on alms cannot be regarded as set aside by what is said in the present text; as the only purpose served by the present text is to prescribe the means of subsistence.

From all this it follows that what the verse means is that food and clothing, etc., have to be supplied also to that female outcast who, either though incapacity or on account of some other cause, is not in a position to perform the expiatory penance.—(188)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Mitākṣarā (3.260), which explains that this prescribes the ‘Twelve Years’ Penance,’ halved in consideration of the sex of the offender;—and that in reference to an unintentioned offence.

It is quoted in Aparārka (p. 99).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Yājñavalkya (3.296).—‘This same rule has been declared to be applicable to women who have become outcasts. They should however be given a dwelling in the vicinity of the household, and should also receive clothes, food and protection.’

Vaśiṣṭha (Āparārka, p. 1208).—‘Four kinds of women must be entirely abandoned: One who has intercourse with her husband’s pupil, one who has intercourse with her Guru, one who has killed her husband, and one who has intercourse with a despicable person.’