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Nîti Literature of Burma

68.

A woman like a murderer, one like a thief, one like a master—these are said to be bad wives: one like a mother, one like a sister, one like a slave, and one like a friend—these four are said to be good wives.

69.

One guarded by a mother, one guarded by a father, one guarded by both father and mother, one guarded by a brother, one guarded by a sister, one guarded by relatives, one guarded by one of the same clan, one guarded by the scriptures, one guarded by one betrothed, and one who is punished for her falling away—these are ten kinds of women with whom no liberty should be taken.

70.

One who marries of her own wish, one obtained by the bestowal of property, and one got by giving apparel, a wife who undergoes the water ordeal,[1] who is procured while carrying a load,[2] a slave, a wife who works as a servant, a captive woman, a temporary wife, and one bought by money—no liberty should be taken with these ten also.

71.

He who through love, hate, fear, or ignorance transgresses what is right, his prosperity declines just like the moon at the time of its waning.


  1. Odapattakî. The symbolic practice of placing the hands in a bowl of water is referred to. As the particles of water adhere to each other, so should the union between husband and wife be permanent.
  2. Oropacumpatâ. Cumpataṁ (or rather cumbataṁ) is the circular roll of cloth used as a stand for a vessel or heavy weight carried on the head. Vide Jardine's "Notes on Buddhist Law," iii. 16.