Madhvaon Brahma Sūtra 1.3.36

For, in the text, “ Let the Brahinaua be initiated at the age of eight and let him be taught scripture,” the cere- mony of purification is mentioned as the immediate preliminary condition to teaching scripture. And in the case of the Sudra, the absence of this ceremony of purifi- cation is spoken of in the Paingin’s Sruti. “ The Sudra has no consecrated fire, no sacrifice, no prayers, no cere- monies (to be performed) ” ; no process of purification, no austerities (to be practised). Hence the Sudra is not eligible for the study of Scripture. But exalted women (goddesses, etc.) are not ineligible like the Sudra; for their eligibility is seen from such texts as, 14 Lord, evil be to her who may aspire to be- come my co-wife,” (which are said to have been revealed to Sachi). That absence of eligibility arises from the absence of ceremony of purification is of course a general princi- ple. Further there is the ceremony of purification for women. ‘ As the ceremony of initiation (Upanayana) is to men, so is the giving in marriage to women-’ So says the Smriti.