Rattibha

For those who come and ask such questions (Interpolation busted), a lot like this is floating on the internet. Here is the answer..
Does the Matsya Purana authorize a husband to beat his erring wife with a rope or split bamboo?
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

I have no idea about the Matsya Purana because Smriti and Shruti are more authoritative than the Purāṇas.
श्रुति स्मृति पुराणनां विरोधो यत्र दृश्यते । तत्र श्रौतं प्रमाणन्तु तयोर्द्वैधे स्मृति वरा ॥
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

In matters of a discrepancy between the Srutis, Smritis and Puranas, the Vedas should be held as decisive, whereas the Smritis have preference in all topics where there is a difference of opinion between them and the Puranas. (Vyāsa Smriti 1:4)
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

This matter of domestic violence is very important to address in order to ensure healthy and dharmic working of society.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

The second important point is Shastra/Dharma is not fixed in time, but is a continually evolving process which responds to the ever changing circumstances in which find ourselves.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

And above all we are enjoined to use reason and common sense in the application of the sagely advice.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

Earliest mention we find of wife-beating is in SOME editions of Brihadaranyaka Upaniṣhad. Many editions don't contain this section that relates to specific ritual performed for having progeny & isn't a general instruction to beat one’s wife.
Brihad. 5:4:6-7
#SanatanaDharma

6. If man sees his reflection in water, he should recite the following Mantra: (May the gods grant) me lustre, virility, reputation, wealth and merit.' She (his wife) is indeed the goddess of beauty among women. Therefore he should approach this handsome woman & speak to her.

7. If she is not willing, he should buy her over; and if she is still unyielding, he should strike her with a stick or with the hand and proceed, uttering the following Mantra, 'I take away your reputation,' etc. She is then actually discredited.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

Actual verse on striking with a rope or split bamboo is found in Manu.
भार्या पुत्रश्च दासश्च प्रेष्यो भ्रात्रा च सौदरः । प्राप्त अपराधास्ताड्याः स्यू रज्ज्वा वेणुदलेन वा ॥ २९९ ॥ पृष्ठतस्तु शरीरस्य न-उत्तमाङ्गे कथं चन । अतोऽन्यथा तु प्रहरन्प्राप्तः स्याच्चौरकिल्बिषम् ॥ ३०० ॥

A wife, son, slave, pupil & a younger brother of full blood, who have committed offences, may be beaten with a rope or a split bamboo, but on back only, never on a noble part; he who strikes them otherwise will incur same guilt as a thief. (Manu 8:299, 300)
#SanatanaDharma

But this is also to be read in the context of Manu’s general rules for correction:-
वाग्-दण्डं प्रथमं कुर्याद् धिग्-दण्डं तदनन्तरम् । तृतीयं धन-दण्डं तु वध-दण्डम् अतः परम् ॥
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

Let him punish first by (gentle) admonition, afterwards by (harsh) reproof, thirdly by a fine, after that by corporal chastisement. (Manu 8:129)
Other prominent law-givers disagree with Manu.
न निन्दाताडने कुर्यात् पुत्रं शिष्यं च ताडयेत् ॥
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

No one should be castigated or beaten. Only a son and a disciple can be beaten. (Yajñavalkya 1:155)
शिष्यशिष्ट्टरवधेन । अशक्तौ रज्जु वेणु विदलाभ्यां तनुभ्याम् । अन्येनघ्नन् राज्ञा शास्य ॥
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

As a rule only a pupil shall not be punished corporally. If no other course is possible, he may be corrected with a thin rope of a thin cane. If the teacher strikes him with any other instrument, he shall be punished by the courts. (Gautama 2:42 – 44)
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

The Tantras are vehemently opposed to any abuse of one’s wife and women in general:-
दुर्वाच्यं कथयन् पत्निं एकाहमशनं त्यजेत् । त्र्यहं सन्तदयन् रक्तं पतयन् सप्त वासरन् ॥ ६४ ॥
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism

If one speaks rudely to his wife he must fast for a day, if he beats her he must fast for 3 days, and if he cause bloodshed then he must fast for 7. (Maha Nirvana Tantra 11:64).
न स्मरेत्कामिनी निन्दां कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । यत्राहं तत्र तत्त्वानि तत्राहं तत्र देवताः ॥ ६२ ॥

A yogin (dharma practitioner) should never abuse a woman, either in deed, speech or thought. Wherever I (Lakshmi) am the realities are, wherever I (Lakshmi) am the gods too are. (Lakshmi Tantra 43:62)
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism