Is a husband required to sacrifice his own life, if needed, to save his wife's life?
Are there any scriptures commanding this, or any scholars dealing with this question?
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1 Answer
Vasiṣhṭh Smṛiti (verse 3.19) under six circumstances it is acceptable to kill; in order to protect themselves from such enemies who have: set fire to their property, tried to poison them, conspired to murder, loot their wealth, kidnap or dishonor their women, or seize their kingdom.
इमं हि सर्ववर्णानां पश्यन्तो धर्ममुत्तमम् ।
यतन्ते रक्षितुं भार्यां भर्तारो दुर्बला अपि ॥ ६
स्वां प्रसूतिं चरित्रं च कुलमात्मानमेव च ।
स्वं च धर्मं प्रयत्नेन जायां रक्षन् हि रक्षति ॥ ७
Looking upon this as the highest duty of all castes, even weak husbands strive to guard their wives—(6).
He who carefully protects his wipe preserves his offspring, his character, his family, his own self, and also his dharma.—(7).
Manusmriti ch 9
So, it's duty(dharma)of husband to save wife and it's always better to follow dharma even with faults till last breath
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 3, Verse 35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || 35||
It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s duty, than to follow the path of another, which is fraught with danger.