Here are the words from chapter 3 law 8: “One should not marry women who have reddish hair, redundant parts of the body, one who is often sick, one without hair or having excessive hair and one who has red eyes.” The very next law to this says, “One should not marry women whose names are similar to constellations, trees, rivers, those from a low caste, mountains, birds, snakes, slaves or those whose names inspire terror.” Manusmriti highlights the obsession with beauty, name, perfection, and societal status. In the rural sectors, Manusmriti is the only constitution that they follow. In addition to that, we as a society neglect the root causes of everything around and Manusmriti is one such text which has been responsible for framing the mindsets of a large number of people. Whether it is rape or molestation or acid attack, the onus of the blame is transferred to her. But as a society even today women are held responsible for every injustice hurled at them. Are women the so-called seducers? Manusmriti gives in the most unacceptable thoughts. Women according to them are responsible if a man feels sexually aroused and thus a man must never stay unguarded when he has females around because they are dangerous. In the second chapter Manu writes, “It is the nature of women to seduce men in this world for that reason, the wise are never unguarded in the company of females.” (2:213)
Reducing women to derogatory standards has been done during various instances in the text. Moreover, it says no matter your husband is addicted to an evil passion, you are bound to respect him.
So here Manusmriti tries to lay down rules and regulations to be a ‘good’ wife. One of the laws of Manu says- “She who disrespects to (a husband) who is addicted to(some evil) passion, is a drunkard, or diseased, shall be deserted for three months (and be) deprived of her ornaments and furniture.” 9:78. Manusmriti has all rules for women, no matter how evil his husband is, it is she who is to be punished for everything.
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