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As per scriptures, is it allowed for men to touch either married or unmarried women, not from own family, with or without her permission?

The touch I used here refers to handshakes, keeping hands on her shoulder, pulling or pushing etc., which generally friends use to do.

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    Manu bhagvan advises not touching even family members when alone - wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/… - so it follows that it is advised against for non-family women also.
    – ram
    Commented May 30, 2018 at 5:02
  • @ram I do not understand. Why is not allowed to sit alone with a female relative?
    – Wikash_
    Commented Aug 5, 2020 at 22:51
  • @Wikash_, did you read the link ? "The powerful host of sense-organs overpowers even the learned."
    – ram
    Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 0:32
  • @ram yes I have read that and the purport but I do not understand that part. Is it hinting towards incest?
    – Wikash_
    Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 7:07
  • @Wikash_, of course. and it is not 'hinting towards', it is explicitly stating against it.
    – ram
    Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 10:21

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A Brahmachari (i.e a student) is to abstain from touching women:

Manu Smriti 2.179.[Let him abstain] From gambling, idle disputes, backbiting, and lying, from looking at and touching women, and from hurting others

And, for the married men, we have the following relevant verses:

8.356. He who addresses the wife of another man at a Tirtha, outside the village, in a forest, or at the confluence of rivers, suffer (the punishment for) adulterous acts (samgrahana).

8.357. Offering presents (to a woman), romping (with her), touching her ornaments and dress, sitting with her on a bed, all (these acts) are considered adulterous acts (samgrahana).

8.358. If one touches a woman in a place (which ought) not (to be touched) or allows (oneself to be touched in such a spot), all (such acts done) with mutual consent are declared (to be) adulterous (samgrahana)

I don't think more details are available in the scriptures.

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    There is at least one more - wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/… . You can add it to your answer.
    – ram
    Commented May 27, 2018 at 18:47
  • I am aware of that verse.. but it isn't relevant here @ram
    – Rickross
    Commented May 28, 2018 at 6:12
  • why is it not relevant ? When Manu bhagavan says that even within one's family, we have to be careful, it automatically follows for women 'not from own family', even though OP mentions that.
    – ram
    Commented May 28, 2018 at 16:12
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    that verse says - 'do not touch even women in your own family when alone'. from that, it is implied - 'do not touch other women not in your family', which is the main topic here.
    – ram
    Commented May 28, 2018 at 21:04
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    Touching hand is not an approved form of greeting in Hinduism. It can be a part of foreplay but not part of a greeting if greeting is done as per Hindu standards @Wikash_
    – Rickross
    Commented Aug 4, 2020 at 6:49

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