126 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
II. 66. Even for a woman the performance of the Sanskaras are necessary and they should be performed without uttering the Veda Mantras.
Offering sacrifices according to Brahmanism formed the very soul of religion. Manu forbids women from performing sacrifices. Manu ordains that :
XI 36-37. A woman shall not perform the daily sacrifices prescribed by the Vedas. If she does it, she will go to hell.
To disable her from performing such sacrifices Manu prevents her from getting the aid and services of a Brahmin priest.
IV. 2 0 5 - A Brahmin must never eat food given at a sacrifice
- performed by women. Sacrifices performed by women are inauspicious and not acceptable to God. They should, therefore, be avoided.
Finally, a word regarding the ideal of life, Manu has sought to place before a woman. It had better be stated in his own words : V. 151. Him to whom her father may give her, or her brother with the father’s permission, she shall obey as long as he lives and when he is dead, she must not insult his memory.
V. 154. Though destitute of virtue, or seeking pleasure elsewhere, or devoid of good qualities, yet a husband must be constantly worshipped as a God by a faithful wife.
V. 155. No sacrifice, no vow, no fast must be performed by women, apart from their husbands; if a wife obeys her husband, she will for that reason alone be exalted in heaven.
Then comes the choicest texts which form the pith and the marrow of this ideal which Manu prescribes for women : V. 153. The husband who wedded her with sacred