On Gender, Wives and Pativratas

In the analysis of Indian culture pativrata dharma has occupied pride of place. The greatness of Indian culture has often been measured on the touch-stone of its virtuous women. Interestingly, it \ was the early European Indolo-gists who started this trend. Bader, in her book Women in Ancient India, which was published in 1867, felt the necessity of refreshing ‘ourselves’ from life-giving and generous sources from India, where society has a sense of duty dominating all affections and a feeling of respect for family life. Contrary to the European penchant to apotheosise the Greco Roman civilization, Bader went against the grain when she argued that the moral elevation of the Greeks was much below that of the Indians. In support of her stand, she