Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Aranya Kanda – Devi Anasuya describes the wifely duties/Pathivratha Dharma/Sthree Dharma of a woman

Chapter – 5 (1)– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Aranya Kanda– Devi Anasuya describes the wifely duties/Pathivratha Dharma/Sthree Dharma of a woman

 

Sage Athri bowed his head and began to speak with folded hands “Oh! Prabho, let this mind never abandon to meditate and contemplate upon your lotus feet.” In the meantime, Devi Sita went to meet Devi Anasuya/wife of Sage Athri, and prostrated before her. Devi Anasuya was highly pleased with the modesty of Devi Sita, blessed her and made her seated next to her, and provided the garments and ornaments that remain pure and tidy always, further she gave a lecture on ‘Pathivratha Dharma’/wifely duties of a chaste woman in a sweet tone to Devi Sita.  Devi Anasuya spoke affectionately “Oh! Princess, all the blood relations like father, mother, and brother can provide a limited joy to a woman, Oh! Devi, the husband is the only one who provides unlimited joy to a woman in the form of blessings. Oh! Vaidhehi, whoever refuses to serve and follow the duties and responsibilities to a husband is sinful. Courage, piety, companion, and wife are put to test at the time of adversity. Oh! Devi, whoever uncaring and disrespectful to their husband, even if he is deaf, dumb, disabled, wretched, ill, ignorant, blind, would suffer hellish torture in the abode of Yama. The penance of a woman is the devotion to her husband with body, mind, and deed is considered as the superior duty, and righteousness of a married woman. The Vedas and scriptures, Rishis, emphasizes there are four types of women in this world, they are 1) the superior among the one who can’t dream of anyone other than her wedded husband 2) the Madhyama/ second category of women who consider other men like her brother, or son, or father according to his age. 3) The women who are virtueless, uncaring of her own clan or husband, seek every opportunity for her welfare is considered as impure by Veda 4) The women who abandon her wedded husband, and enjoy physical pleasure with the stranger, and fall in love with the stranger of lowly clan shall endure the hellish torture in the Raurava for several thousand and millions of births. Oh! Devi, the woman who sincerely follows the duties and responsibilities towards her husband would easily achieve commendable rewards, if she was disloyal to her husband would take several births and get widowed at a young age.”

Binathi Kari Muni Nayi  Siru Kaha Kara Jori Bahori | Charana Saroruha Natha Jani Kabahu Thajai Mathi Mori ||

Anusuyia Ke Padha Gahi Seetha | Mili Bahori Suseela  Bineetha || Rishipathini Mansukha Adhikayi | Aashisha Dheyi Nikata Baitayi || Dhivya Basana Bhooshana Pahiraye | Je Nitha Noothana Amala Suhaye || Kaha Rishibadhu Sarasa Mridhubani | Naridharma Kacchu Byaja Bakhani || Mathu Pitha Bhratha Hithakari | Mithapratha Sab  Sunu Rajakumari || Amitha Dhani Bhartha Bayadhehi | Adhama So Nari Jo Seva Na Thehi || Dheeraja Dharma Mithra Aru Nari | Aapadha Kala Parikhiahi Chari || Bridhdha Rogabasa Jada Dhanaheena | Andha Badhira  Krodhi Athi Dheena || Yesehu Pathi Kara Kiya Apamana | Nari Pava Jamapura Dhukha Nana||Yesehu Pathi Kara Kiya Apamana | Nari Pava Jamapura  Dhukha Nana || Yekayi Dharma Yeka Bhratha Nema | Kaya Bachana Mana Pathi Padha Prema || Jaga Pathibratha Chari Bidhi Ahahi | Bedha Purana Santha Sab Kahahi || Uththama Ke Asa  Basa Mana Mahi | Sapanehu Aana Purusha Jaga Nahi || Madhyama Parapathi Dhekhayi Kaise | Bhratha Pitha Puthra Nija Jaise || Dharma Bichari Samujji Kula Rahayi | So Nikishta Thriya Shruthi Asa Kahayi|| Binu Avasara Bhaya The  Raha Joyi | Janehu Adhama Nari Jaga Soyi || Pathi Banchaka Parapathi Rathi Karayi | Raurava Naraka Kalpa Satha Parayi || Cchana sukha Lagi Janama Satha Koti | Dhukha Na  Samujja Thehi Sama Ko Khoti || Binu Shrama Nari Parama Gathi Lahayi | Pathibratha Dharma Cchadi Cchala Gahayi || Pathi Prathikoola Janama Jaha Jayi | Bidhava  Hoyi Payi Tharunayi ||