Shatanand explains that married women should not repeatedly look at other men, speak with them or stay/remain with them. Shree Shankar in Anushasan Parva explains, ‘Young women who are Pativrata or of righteous qualities degenerate through association with other young men. Similarly a man also faces destruction through the association of women.’ For this reason, one should refrain from contact with a person of the opposite sex. One should refer also to Brahmvaivrata Purana and others for Pativrata Dharma.
Shatanand explains that the use of ‘Cha’ suggests that women should never be left alone or act independently. Thus she should be cherished, respected and cared for always. Parashar Smruti explains:
Pitarakshati Kaumare Bharta Rakshati Yauvane |
Bardvake Putrapautradhya Nasti Striraam Svatantrata ||
‘In young age, she should be protected (or cared for) by her father, in youthful age by her husband and in old age by her children or grandchildren. In this way she should never be left alone to fend for herself.’
Madhava explains the consequence of Svantantrata (living alone): ‘Those Sadhva (married) or Vidhva (widowed) women who live alone face destruction of their Dharma.’ A married woman should stay aloof of somebody of the opposite sex. In situations where she has to speak with men, she should remain ever ready and strong to root out any desires. She should always try to avoid such situations or places and never joke or fool with other men. This is in order to remain ever faithful to her husband and to protect her Paativratya Dharma. (As discussed earlier, it is very easy for a man or woman, however devoted or disciplined they may be, to fall servant to desires, especially sexual desires.)