Explorations in Religious Identity (RE 300 WR)

I completely agree with you on all points you made. However, think about the time this story was developed. Back then women were viewed in a whole different way. Is something like this acceptable in todays world? Absolutely not, but it was normal back in that time. So I guess to answer your question about dharma, yes that is the model they followed because it's what was taught to be right back then. However, that ideology has changed in today's world.