1. One of the reasons why Smriti guidelines are misunderstood is because we forget that those stipulations and prohibitions are from the standpoint of Dharma. However, on the ground, we have to take into consideration Artha and Kama as well.
2. Take for example, the Smriti position that the foremost Dharma for women that could lead to their overall wellbeing is Pativrata-Dharma, so much so that it is sometimes conflated with Streedharma.
3. However, this is a statement strictly from the standpoint of Dharma, i.e. the Shastras are delineating the path through which women can attain Abhyudaya & Nishreyasa.
4. On the other hand, on the ground many other factors come into play. Due to complexity of life in general and the burden of poorva-janma Karma as well as the choices people make in this life, some women could remain unmarried, some women could be forced to take a divorce+
5. +some marriages simply do not work, some women may go through series of marriages, some may end up in prostitution, and many other situations come to play on the ground, all of which could be a violation of Shastric stipulations to varying degree.
6. But, this does not mean that they become excluded from Dharma. Such women only become excluded from Grihasta-Dharma (i.e. Pativrata Dharma), but not from Samanya Dharma.
7. While there will be Karmic consequences for forsaking Vishesha Dharma (for women, Pativrata dharma is Vishesha dharma), Ethical and Spiritual life is still open to them.
8. This understanding is very important. The praise and condemnation that is present in the Shastras come under Arthavada as per Mimamsa method of interpretation+
9. +and this means that their purpose is to stipulate or prohibit a particular course of action which is beneficial or harmful, respectively, from Dharmic standpoint, and not to condemn an individual as an eternal sinner, nor to pass loose moral judgements.
Loading suggestions...