Why Women Cannot Perform Last Rites In Hinduism?

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Hinduism prescribes a lot of rules and regulations when it comes to women. Some of these rules make sense and are there for the benefit of women while others can be simply called superstitions and a way to keep women away from important business.

One of these rules is performing the last rites of parents. The Hindu scriptures say that the last rites or antim sanskar of parents can only be performed by the son. Women are exempted from performing the antim sanskar or the last rites. This rule has been a source of controversy since centuries.

There have been instances where a couple is survived only by a female child. In such cases, the funeral rites are performed by some male member of the family. This rule thereby denies the right of the woman not only over her parents but also on the parental property.

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Yet over the centuries, the rules have taken a backseat and women have realised their importance. It is no more a taboo where a girl child cannot perform the last rites of the parents.

So, why is it that women cannot perform the last rites in Hinduism? Let us find out.

The Emotional Ones
Scriptures say that women are soft hearted and emotional beings. They have a higher attachment to the dead and the death becomes overwhelming for them. So, while performing the rites they may be overcome with extreme grief which may result in incomplete execution of rituals.

The Woman Factors
The feminine factors and issues such as pregnancy and menstruation is a hindrance in performing the rites. Taking these factors into consideration, women were exempted from performing the last rites.

Only An Excuse?
Though the reasons seem valid to some extent, the hard and fast rule about women not performing the last ritual seems like an excuse. There are women who are strong enough to handle the grief. Apart from that menstruation is only health condition which should not prevent women from performing any kind of rituals. But since menstruation is considered as impure in Hinduism, women are exempted from performing any kind of ritual during the phase.
Some scholars are of the view that this rule was added to the scriptures to prevent women from demanding paternal property. Since Indian society is highly patriarchal, exempting women from performing last rites of parents would ensure that they have no rights or legal claim on their parents' property.

The Changing Pattern
With the changing times, the pattern is also changing for women. Women are now coming out of the veil and claiming their rights. Many women who happen to be the only child of their parents are now performing the antim sanskar ritual. This changing pattern is a sure sign that women have realised that they are not to be subjugated and have realised their worth.

Thus, the modern woman is challenging all the derogatory practices which seeks to restrict freedom and rights. She is emerging as the power which will definitely take Hinduism towards a better future.