Law of Maintenance with Special Reference Tosmṛti Literature

Abstract

Smṛti literatureis a class of sacred books based on human memory. This literarure is said to be the basement of Hindu law.Itis the belief of Hindus that if one faithfully obeys his duty, the gates of heaven are wide upon for one. The maintenance of the aged parents, children and wife is considered to be the greatest duty of a person. Under Hindu law, in respect of aged parents and minor children, this is an obligation of every Hindu, male or female. Thus, a Hindu has personal obligation to maintain his wife, children and aged parents. In every Judicial System there are various provisions for the sake of maintenance. In Indian Judicial System also there are so many acts to provide maintenance for the needy. Those provisions are more or less found right from the Smṛti literature. In the present paper such provisions are discussed in the light of  Smṛti literature.