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THE IDEAL OF INDIAN WOMANHOOD
tion established thereby. The modern Rishis may torture the text to suit their purpose of dcfending the social subordination of woman; but the texts themselves are there to tell the truth; and if women are to live up to the traditionally fixed ideals, and observe the prescribed discipline, they must act textually according to the rituals. Thay mu:1 live it life of a ribice, devotion and duty. These ideals, with all the sentimental glamour, cannot delude any self-respecting woman.
For wonen, Hindu marriage is certainly not a picnic. There is no question of love, cxccpt as a posl acl 1717 make-believe. Marriage is not a voluntary contract to be carried out by both the parties under prescribed laws. Women are simply handed over to new masters, to whom they are to be bound forever. When responsibility is not voluntarily incurred, discipline cannot be morally demanded. Let women choose; let marriage be conditional on an intelligent consent on their part; then talk of discipline. To demand discipline inder an involuntary relation, a rclation established by a transfer of proprietorship, is coercion, pure and simple. The Hindu marriage grants women no rights whatsoever; it imposes only obligations. Discipline under such circumstances is compulsion to discharge responsibilities not voluntarily contracte. And a responsibility has no moral force unless it is voluntarily assumed. One cannot be held responsible for some act he has not committed.
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