Thirukkural verses 6: The Worth of a Wife

Please Note: The following excerpt from the Thirukkural is 'as-is' replicated from the actual translation. This has no relation with anti-womanism. I truly respect the modern progressive thought behind women independence and capabilities. Please read the verses below as view towards an ancient way of livelihood, giving you an idea of the devotion-centric lifestyle of the Indian wife.

English Translation of Kaviyogi Maharishi Shuddhananda Bharatiar

A good housewife befits the house,
Spending with thrift the mate's resource.

Bright is home when wife is chaste.
If not all greatness is but waste.

What is rare when wife is good.
What can be there when she is bad?

What greater fortune is for men
Than a constant chaste woman?

Her spouse before God who adores,
Is like rain that at request pours.

The good wife guards herself from blame,
She tends her spouse and brings him fame.

Of what avail are watch and ward?
Their purity is women's guard.

Women who win their husbands' heart
Shall flourish where the gods resort.

A cuckold has not the lion-like gait
Before his detractors aright.

An honest wife is home's delight
And children good are jewels abright.