Friday, 16 February 2018

Marriage in Indian Society & Women Part 1.





Marriage: -
The law of marriage was first introduced before the world by Maharishi Swatketu; son of renowned Maharishi Uddhalak.

Before that men and women were free to live with anyone, with whom they wish too and as long as they wish. 

There was no relation except man and woman. (Bhartaya Vivah Sansthha Ka Itihas).

Hindu (This word was first used by Arabs. When Arab came on the bank of Sindhu River they called it Hindu river and people living there were called Hindu.  

Sanatana or Hindu marriage is all about rituals and customs which teach us the actual sense of a blissful marriage life.  

But there are some examples in Rig-Veda when the girl had not married for long time or lived unmarried, she was known as “Amazuh”.

During Rig Veda there was no bondage on marriage. 

Later on the Brahmin scholars made some marriage restrictions for the society –

Sapind

Pind means Body, so here Sapind means of one body or Blood relation; even scientifically it is proven. Maharishi Vasisth and Gautama say marriage in 7 generation from Father side and 5 generation from Mother side is prohibited. 

Sagotra

The Gotra system might have started originally among Brahmins as a system of classification and identification of various families and indicating common descent from a 'Rishi'. 

There are 49 established Lead Hindu Gotras.

All members of a particular Gotra are believed to possess certain common characteristics by way of nature or profession. 

It seems that’s why generally people living in a village are called Gotriya or in local language “Gotia” and so marriage between them is prohibited. 

Sapravar -

SAPRAVARA is a set of the greatest Rishis who belonged to the Gotra. 

Usually these are the founding fathers of the Gotra. In Vedic ritual, the importance of the Pravara appears to be in its use by the ritualist for extolling his ancestry and proclaiming, as a descendant of worthy ancestors, I am a fit and proper person to do the act I am performing.

So Sapind, Sagotra and Sapravar marriage were prohibited and still are. 

Rig Vedic society was free in nature, there was inter cast marriage.

Adult boys and girls were free to marriage that they like but family permission was needed for the bondage of the family and society. 

The marriage of Brahamn “Vimad” and Princess “Kamadhu”, Brahmarishi “Sayasawa” married king Rathvithi’s daughter “Darmya”, Daughter of Sukracharya “Devyanani” married king “Yayati”. Rishi Angirasa daughter “Saswati” married king Asang. 
  
Women were not in Curtain or Veil in Sanatan or Hindu culture, it came in medieval period

No Veil was used by women in Sanatan culture. 

Only when Muslim ruled India for the safety of Hindu women Veil and Curtain were used by women (Hindu and Muslim).

Veil and Curtain came from Arab that is there culture.

In the beginning the society or Vedic society was castles. It helped in great way to women. 

There was women freedom in this regard.  The society was Monogamy

Man and Woman were free to marry anybody whom they like and wish to marry. 

The marriage was finalized by family members of the bride; they could be Father, Brother or seniors from the society as they have to be the witness of the marriage. 

Women were enjoying all types of freedom as Men were enjoying, from Education to Profession every where they were on equal term with Men. 

Child Marriage - There was no child marriage. 

Chathurthi Karma

Rishi Apstamb, Sankhayayan and Paraskar writes that after 3 days of marriage “Newly Married Couple” have to perform Chathurthi Karma or 4th day Ritual, is game of Sex. 

Chathurthi Karma is “Living together day” or this is the first day when they live in their room as Husband and Wife and play Game of Sex

This confirms that there is no child marriage in Sastra’a or Books and in Sanatan Law and one who is doing this is against the Rule

In 3 days the Bride know her Father – in – Laws’ house, their living style and above all her Life Partner (Husband) and get easy of his presence in there room and life.  

This will give both of them time to understand each other under one roof. 

Young Man and Woman chose their life partner from the whole society. 

There was no dowry system. Actually Dowry system came in Indian Society during British Rule; they convert gifts into dowry in their rule. Of course gifts were given to New Couple from family members and Society to start their family life. Even divorce is not in Vedic marriage, it was introduced in rule by Britishers

In Sutra literature there are 8 types of marriage. These marriages came into society time to time and lawmakers put them under the Sanatana or Hindu marriage law. Hindu marriage act 1955 doesn’t recognize many of them.

These 8 marriage systems are - 

Braham, Dev, Ayrsa, Prajapatya (it’s like Brahama marriage), Gandharva (Love marriage), Asur, Raksha, and Payasha (last 3 marriages were neither seen in good test nor were accepted by the society in large) slowly except Brahama and Gandharva rest type of marriage die their own death.

1.   Brahama Marriage – This system runs today too and is in 1955 act. Under this system the responsibility of the marriage of the Bride is upon the Father, Brother or the elder of the family or sometimes on the society. This is the best marriage system that’s why it is known as “Brahama” marriage. Even in this marriage system as written previous Bride’s Consent was on Top which changed slowly and Father and Family members Consent became on Top.

It is important to know that SAPTPADI in itself is a rule made on Oath or Vow before Fire and Society which gives enormous power to women

Actually the whole marriage is on 7 Vows or Oath. Anyone who breaks the Vow, other has the right to take a needy step it’s not that one is bound for 7 lives. 

The Family members, Relatives and or the society who are present there are the witness of that marriage which says that now they are Husband and Wife or Life Partner. 

Nowhere, it is said that Man is Boss or Swami and Woman is her Mistress. They are Life Partner till they don’t break promises and how much they have given freedom to each other.  

This SAPTPADI custom is running till date, but 99.99% don’t know about it or wants to know, only because it’s an Ancient ritual. Girls must have to now this SAPTAPADI, even Boys too. 

It’s important to give prior information regarding this to Women and Men both. 

Actually the marriage in Hindu or Sanatan Society is a promise between 2 sidesThe Bride and the Groom

Only after accepting these 7 Vows Girl (Kanaya) and Boy (Var) will be called Married. From Veda till date Girl is called “Kanaya” Maiden and Boy as Var (svenn is used for males who have yet to sleep with someone. Although jomfru (virgin) is also more and more used on males). 

There was few or little example of widow marriage. In an example a childless widow remarry her husband’s younger brother.

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