[INDOLOGY] Manusmriti ...

[Olivelle, J P]

There is no statement of Manu that states all women are prostitutes. There are statements which emphasizes the need for women to be under male control/protection, the need to guard them from even the slightest attachment to sensual pleasure (saṅga). See Manu 5.148ff, and 9.1ff.

Patrick



> On Oct 28, 2020, at 11:36 PM, rajam via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
> 
> Dear List Members,
> 
> I need your help in understanding something from Manusmriti.
> 
> Is there any passage/rule in this text that states that ‘all women are prostitutes’? Or anything close to such thought?
> 
> In Tamilnadu, there is a severe extremist movement wanting to burn Manusmriti. As the next election is approaching, the political scene is getting ugly as usual. One party’s propaganda includes that Manusmriti should be removed/burned down since it looks at women as prostitutes.
> 
> I was wondering if any of you would kindly check Manusmriti and let me know if he really declared that all women are prostitutes.
> 
> I would very much appreciate your help.
> 
> Thanks and regards,
> V.S.Rajam
> 
> 
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