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Prasna I, Adhyâya 11, Kandikâ 20
Prasna I, Adhyâya 11, Kandikâ 20
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Prasna I, Adhyâya 11, Kandikâ 20

PRASNA I, ADHYÂYA 11, KANDIKÂ 20.

1. (There are) eight marriage-rites. 1

2. If (the father) gives (his daughter) to a student (who has not broken his vow of chastity and) who asks for her, after fully enquiring into his learning and character, that (is) the rite .of Brahman (brâhma). 2

3. If (the father gives his daughter away) after clothing her and decking her with ornaments, (saying) 'That (is thy wife), fulfil the law (with her),' that (is) the rite of Pragâpati (prâgâpatya). 3

4. If (the bridegroom) after offering the first burnt oblation of parched grain (receives the maiden) for a bull and a cow, that is the rite of the Rishis (ârsha). 4

5. If (a maiden is given) to an officiating priest within the sacrificial enclosure, while the presents are being taken away, that (is) the rite of the gods (daiva). 5

p. 206

6. The union of a lover with a loving damsel (is called) the rite of the Gandharvas (gândharva).

7. (If the bridegroom receives the maiden) after gladdening (the parents) by money, (that is) the rite of the Asuras (âsura).

8. (If the maiden is wedded) after being forcibly abducted, (that is) the rite of the Râkshasas (râkshasa).

9. If one has intercourse with (a maiden) who is sleeping, intoxicated, or out of her senses (with fear or passion and weds her afterwards, that is) the rite of the Pisâkas (paisâka).

10. Among these (eight rites) the four first (named) are (lawful) for a Brâhmana. Among these also each earlier named is preferable.

11. Among the (four) later (named rites) each succeeding one is more sinful (than the preceding ones).

12. Among these the sixth and the seventh agree with the law of the Kshatriyas. For power is their attribute.

6. Vasishtha I, 33,

7. Vasishtha I, 35.

8. Vasishtha I, 34.

9. Vishnu XXIV, 26.

10. Vishnu XXIV, 27.

12. Vishnu XXIV, 28; Vasishtha I, 29, 34. The meaning of the last clause is that as, according to I, 10, 18, 3, Brahman placed power in the Kshatriyas, they may adopt marriage rites by which a disregard of conventionalities or strength is displayed.

p. 207

13. The fifth and the eighth (are lawful) for Vaisyas and Sûdras. 13

14. For Vaisyas and Sûdras are not particular about their wives, 14

15. Because they are allowed (to subsist by such low occupations as) husbandry and service. 15

16. Some recommend the Gândharva rite for all (castes), because it is based on (mutual) affection.

Footnotes
  1. 205:1

    20. Vishnu XXIV, 17.

  2. 205:2

    Vasishtha I, 30. The word brahmakârin has, no doubt, as Govinda too contends, been used in the double sense of 'a student of the Veda' and 'chaste.'

  3. 205:3

    Vishnu XXIV, 22.

  4. 205:4

    Vasishtha I, 32. 'After the first of the burnt oblations of parched grain, which are prescribed for weddings, has been offered, the bridegroom shall give to him who has power over, the maiden a bull and a cow, and receive them back together with the (bride).'--Govinda.

  5. 205:5

    Vasishtha I, 31. According to this rule the damsel is given p. 206 as part of the sacrificial fee (dakshinâ) to one of the priests after a sacrifice has been completed. Govinda adds that the recipient has to accept the gift with the six mantras, 'pragâpati striyâm yasah,' Taitt. Brâhmana II, 4, 6, 5. In his commentary on the passage Sâyana makes the same statement. Govinda adds that in this case as well as in those mentioned in the following Sûtras the regular marriage ceremony must be performed later.

  6. 207:13

    'I.e. the fifth for Vaisyas and the eighth for Sûdras.'--Govinda.

  7. 207:14

    'Those whose spouse, i.e. wife, is not restrained, i.e. not fixed by rule, are called not particular about their wives. The meaning is that there is oneness (dâreshvaikyam) with respect to wives, that fixed rules regarding them there are none (niyamas teshâm na bhavati).'--Govinda.

  8. 207:15

    '"Husbandry" includes also trade and the like. Because those two (castes) are permitted to pursue low occupations, therefore their marriage rites are of the same description. That is what the author intends to say.'--Govinda.

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