Essay name: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
Author: A. D. Pusalker
This book studies Bhasa, the author of thirteen plays ascribed found in the Trivandrum Sanskrit Series. These works largely adhere to the rules of traditional Indian theatrics known as Natya-Shastra.
Page 392 of: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
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372
G膩ndharva, Asura, R膩k峁sa and Pai艣膩ca required the
sanction of both the father and the mother. That the
progeny of Anuloma marriages was known by different
caste names and was entitled only to maintenance from
the estate of its father shows that such marriages were not
approved. Pratiloma marriages were condemned and the
sons begotten therefrom were said to originate from the
king's violating his dharma.' The enumeration of different
kinds of Pratiloma sons does not necessarily signify their
existence in those days. The Artha艣膩stra being the work
of an encyclop忙dic character has included in the list every
conceivable thing concerning different kinds of sons which
was merely of academic interest, to give thoroughness to
the book. In the age of the Artha艣膩stra as also the
Buddhist age, we come across some marriages among
persons of different nationalities, the marriage of
Candragupta Maurya with a Hellenic princess, daughter of
Seleucus Nicator, serving as a glaring instance, which
tend to show that there were no barriers to such
marriages.
嘟︵緪
In the Dharmasastras or the Sm峁泃is we come across
the same eight forms of marriage as the Dharmasutras
mention. Pai艣膩ca and Asura are strongly condemned as
also the practice of receiving gratuity or nuptial fee for
the daughter. The marriage age of girls has been much
lowered by the Smrtis and the celebrated nagnik膩 rule
which held its sway till recent times on the general Hindu
populace makes its first appearance in the Sm峁泃is. The
nagnik膩 rule ordained that the best age for the marriage of
a girl was when she could go on naked and was immature
viz., eight. Some Smrtis even went to the length of
attaching great sin to the parents of girls who remained
unmarried till the age of puberty. Marriages between
relations (sagotra and sapinda marriages referred to
above) were strictly prohibited by the Smrtis. Widow
remarriage was strictly condemned. Anuloma marriages
though not approved were allowed, but the Smrtis were
deadly against Pratiloma marriages. The difference
between the attitudes towards the Anuloma and Pratiloma
will be evident from the punishments prescribed for illicit
connections of that nature; whereas a S奴dra having illicit
2.
1 Arthasastra, III. 2, 5-7 (pp. 151-154; 160-165). 2 Cf. Manusmrti,
III. 12-19; X. 6 ff.
