Bhishma said They who know the ancient history recite the following verse of Daksha the son of Prachetas, viz.,-That maiden, for whom nothing is taken by her kinsmen in the form of dower, cannot be said to be sold.

Honour good treatment, and everything else which is agreeable, should all be given to the maiden whose hand is taken in marriage.

Her father and brothers and fatherinlaw and husband's brothers should show her every respect and adorn her with ornaments, if they be desirous of reaping benefits, for such conduct their part always produces considerable happiness and advantage.

If the wife does not like her husband or fails to please him, from such dislike and absence of joy, the husband can never have children for increasing his family.

on Women, O king should always be adored and treated with love. There where women are treated with honour, the very gods are said to be propitiated.

There where women are not adored, all acts become fruitless. If the women of a family, on account of the treatment they receive, indulge in grief and tears, that family soon becomes extinct.

Those houses which are cursed by women meet with destruction and ruin as if scorched by some Atharvan rite. Such houses lose their splendour. Their growth and prosperity cease, O king.

Manu, on the eve of his departure from this world, made over women to the care and protection of men, saying that they are weak, that they fall an easy prey to the seduction of men, disposed to accept the love which is offered them, and devoted to truth.

There are others among them who are full of malice, covetous of honours, fierce in nature, unlovable, and impervious to reason. Women, however, deserve to be respected. Do ye men show them honour.

The virtue of men depends upon women. All pleasures and enjoyments also entirely depend upon them. Do you serve them and adore them. Do ye bend your wills before them.

The begetting of children, the nursing of children already born, and the accomplishment of all deeds necessary for the needs of society, see, all these have women for their cause.

By respecting women, you are sure to acquire the fruition of all objects. Regarding it a princess of the house of Janaka the king of

Women have no sacrifices ordained for them. There are no Shraddhas which they are called upon to perform. They are not required to observe any fasts. To serve their husbands wish respect and willing obedience from their only duty. Through the satisfaction of that duty they succeed in conquering Heaven.

In childhood, the father protects her. The husband protects her in youth. When she becomes old, her sons protect her. At no period of her life is woman free.

Women are deities of prosperity. The person that desires affluence and prosperity should honour them. By cherishing women, O Bharata, one cherishes the goddess of prosperity herself, and by afflicting her, one is said to pain the goddess of prosperity.