बृहत्संहिता (आचार्य वराहमिहिर - स्थापत्य, खगोल, मौसम व जल विज्ञान)

Adh. LXXIV. Sl. 5-7.] चतुःसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः 593 to men, when heard of, seen, touched or even remem- bered ; for its sake are done righteous deeds and wealth amassed ; from that do men derive worldly pleasures and offspring. Such damsels are the goddesses of fortune. Hence they should always be honoured at home with respect and wealth. This reminds one of Manu's dictum “ यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्त तत्र देवताः " i e., Gods dwell with pleasure in a house where ladies are treated with respect. येऽप्यङ्गनानां प्रवदन्ति दोषान् वैराग्यमार्गेण गुणान् विहाय । ते दुर्जना मे मनसो वितर्कः सद्भाववाक्यानि न तानि तेषाम् ॥५॥ Sloka 5.—It is my conviction that those who, follow- ing the path of renunciation or detachment, overlook the virtues of and traduce ladies, are indeed wicked and cynical. For they do not mean what they say. प्रब्रूत सत्यं कतरोऽङ्गनानां दोषोऽस्ति यो नाचरितो मनुष्यैः । धाष्टर्येन पुम्भिः प्रमदा निरस्ता गुणाधिकास्ता मनुनात्र चोक्तम् ॥ Sloka 6.—Tell me the truth, what fault is there in women that is not committed by men ? Men have traduced women as being impudent (or men have out- done women in impudence). They are indeed superior to men in respect of merits. And the following are the statements of Manu on this point. सोमस्तासामदाच्छौचं गन्धर्वः शिक्षितां गिरम् । अग्निश्च सर्वभक्षित्वं तस्मान्निष्कसमाः स्त्रियः ॥७॥ Sloka 7.—The Moon gave them (women) purity (cleanliness); Gandharva, cultured and sweet speech; the Fire, the capacity to eat all sorts of food. Hence women are like unto pure gold. बृ सं 75