...dowry payments. The "duties of a woman," as traditionally expounded in Epic Indian lore, include being beautiful and gentle, considering her husband as her god and serving him as such . . . obedient even if commanded to unrighteous deeds or acts that may lead to her own destruction....

...duties of women. She replies thus: The duties of woman are created in the rites of wedding, when in presence of the nuptial fire she becomes the associate of her Lord [husband], for the performance of all righteous deeds. She should be beautiful and gentle, considering...