Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Vivaha included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, 鈥榯he five characteristics of a Purana鈥�).
Story of 痴颈惫腻丑补
(marriage)
General information.
In ancient India marriage was considered to be a sacrifice performed in accordance with social customs. Marriage was allowed to those who had completed education at the age of sixteen. (Sam膩vartana). Father or teacher teaches the pupil the Vedas and 痴别诲腻峁単补蝉. When the education is completed the teacher or father makes him sit on a seat decorated with flowers, sandalwood etc. and do God膩navrata. Then he is offered 笔补帽肠腻尘峁泃补 (milk, curd, butter, honey and water). This is called Sam膩vartana. With this his brahmacarya ends, and he is allowed to marry and lead the life of a house-holder.
Marriage is a ceremony with four secondary rites Viz, 碍补苍测腻诲腻苍补, 艢ac墨y膩ga, 痴颈惫腻丑补, 颁补迟耻谤迟丑墨办补谤尘补苍. If the husband is dead, or lost, or has renounced the world, or has become a eunuch or is expelled from society, the woman is allowed to take another husband. If the husband dies, the wife should be given to the brother of the husband. If there is no brother she could accept anybody whom she likes.
Eight kinds of marriages.
The woman and man should not be of the same Gotra (family). One could marry a girl who is above seven generations on the paternal line and above five generations on the maternal line. Eight types of marriages allowed in Manusm峁泃i, Chapter 3, are given below:
(i) 叠谤腻丑尘补. A man of good qualities and good family is asked to come and receive the damsel. This is 叠谤腻丑尘补. The radiance of this marriage will give the man prosperity.
(ii) 膧谤峁. After getting a couple of cows from the bridegroom the bride is given to him.
(iii) 笔谤腻箩腻辫补迟测补. The virgin is given to the man, who had requested for her hand as a duty.
(iv) Daiva. The virgin is offered to the master who is engaged in performing a sacrifice.
(v) 骋腻苍诲丑补谤惫补. Marriage between a man and a woman with equal love on either part.
(vi) 膧蝉耻谤补. Giving money in return for the damsel and marrying her. This type is mean.
(vii) 搁腻办峁蝉补. Carrying the damsel away by fight or force.
(viii) 笔补颈艣腻肠补. Marrying a damsel when she is sleeping or lying unconscious.