Sthree Dharma - Sri Shivamahapuran

Sri Shivamahapuran describes an interesting myth about the Sthreedharma, the Dharma/ righteousness of a married woman which was narrated to Goddess Parvathi.  A chaste woman should not leave her husband when he becomes aged or sick.   She has to sincerely follow the wishes of her husband during good and troubled times in married life.  It is not advisable to share the secrets of her husband to others; a woman should not present herself beautiful in the absence of her husband, in the same manner, a woman should not keep her dull or untidy before her husband.  A married woman should not address her husband in his name, she should not argue with her husband at any circumstance, instead, it is her duty to remain silent.  She should be a sincere attendant to her husband; she should follow the instructions of her husband without questioning them.  She should not be out of the family for long or wee hours, she should not participate in the festivities without her husband.  She should follow all the tasks of household chores without any hesitation.  She should be able to take care of the expenses of the home in a sensible manner, should not spend all that money earned, should keep some to perform Dharmic rites.  The meal should not be consumed without offering to Lord, saints, cows; it is advisable to have a meal after her husband.  She should stand with her husband in good and bad times, she should sleep after her husband goes to sleep, and she should be up before him.   A woman should stay away from her husband for three days of menstruation, she can enter any conversation after the three days of this period.  She should not create any mistrust or unhappiness in her husband.  A woman who wants to have a long life for her husband should not keep her hands empty without bangles or body without ornaments; she should dress up presentable always.  A chaste woman should not be in association with any woman of immoral character or wicked nature.  She should be sweet-talking, a married woman should see the face of her husband immediately after the bath, or she should worship Lord Suryanarayana.  A woman who takes good care of her husband, pleasant and presentable before her husband would make the three worlds happy.  A chaste woman’s piousness would liberate the soul of three generations of ancestors of the couple.