The present book comprehensively analyses the multiple forms of both material and emotional deprivation, forced or compulsive renunciation, and formation of social-self among the Bengali widows living in Varanasi city. It questions the exclusivity of renunciation or asceticism particularly for men, prescribed by the Hindu Dharmshastras and situates it in the domain of women also who have all along remained subordinated to men, though the unique tradition of ...
