Manusmriti Chapter 9 - Verse 225

"For a woman, her husband is the lord; her well-wishers are her father and her brother; when she has no husband, her son is her lord; when she has no son, her relative (or brother) is her lord; when she has no relative, her king is her lord; in the absence of a king, the learned (or a good) Brahmana is her lord; if there is no learned Brahmana, she should strive to be virtuous."

– The primary criterion for a groom is guṇavattara (possessing superior character, learning, and virtues), not merely birth or wealth. manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225

The verse targets specific groups that were believed to cause instability or moral decay within a city. Commentators like Medhātithi "For a woman, her husband is the lord;

Verse 9.225 is best studied as a historical artifact, not a living law. Its literal meaning is rejected by modern legal systems, Hindu reform movements, and mainstream ethics. Its literal meaning is rejected by modern legal