The underlying message here is to dress respectfully and with decency such that one covers their body. Yagnavalkya explains, ‘Wives who respect and serve their husbands with good conduct (Sadachari) and who has control over her senses is famed in this world and after death is promoted to greatness.’
In Mitakshara, Shankha Muni explains these Sadacharas of devout women: ‘Women should not leave their house without their husband’s permission, they should always dress themselves covering their body nor leave their house in a hurry (lending to improper dress/appearance). They should not speak with another man, expose their navel to others and should always wear clothing which covers the whole body down to their ankles. They should never expose their breasts, laugh or giggle excessively or speak ill of their husband’s family. They should never associate with women who are Vaeshya (prostitute), Dhurtaa (deceitful), Duti (go between - middle women), Sanyassi (renounced person), Thagnari (cheat), someone who jokes or insults or has bad qualities. By not obeying these commands, their Charitra (good moral conduct) is destroyed.’
Mahabharat also explains, ‘(1) partaking of alcohol, (2) association with the wicked, (3) separation from one’s husband, (4) to wander alone, (5) sleeping during the day and (6) going to other peoples homes alone are the six enemies of a woman which will undoubtedly lead to her downfall.’
Sadhanoti Parlokamiti Sadhvi - ‘A Sadhvi (chaste women) attains the heavens.’ Harit Muni explains the nature of such a chaste women: ‘One who suffers in her husband’s suffering, whose happiness lies in her husband’s happiness, who is always content with where she lives, who has an emaciated body and who becomes a Sati after the death of her husband is a Pativrata.’ However it is to be noted here that the ritual of Sati (entering the funeral pyre) is only for those women who do not wish for eternal salvation and who refuse to observe Brahmcharya Vrata (celibacy) after her husbands death, wishing only to enjoy temporary insignificant bliss of the heavens.
Only such a woman should become Sati - who do not send three generations of their family into turmoil as a result of their adulterous and unrighteous acts. Gargacharya explains further, ‘Those widows, who do not continue to observe Brahmcharya, send three generations of their family to hell. Therefore those women incapable of observing Brahmcharya should follow their husbands into the funeral pyre.’ Manu, Vishnu Smruti, Brahmanvaivrata Purana and Nirnyasindhu all state the same fact. It is further explained, ‘Those women who observe Brahmcharya, join their husbands again in the heavens and continue to enjoy bliss there.’