Essay name: Brahma Purana (critical study)
Author:
Surabhi H. Trivedi
Affiliation: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda / Department of Sanskrit Pali and Prakrit
This is an English study of the Brahmapurana鈥攐ne of the eighteen major Puranas which occupies an important place in the Pauranic literature. This study researches the rich an encyclopaedic material for social, religious, philosophical, mythological, political, geographical and literary study found in the Brahma-Purana.
Marriage, Family and Position of Women
3 (of 99)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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uses them in the collective sense.
Purpose of Marriage
From the vedic times Marriage was considered as obli-
gatory for man as it enabled him to become a householder, to
perform sacrifices to the gods and to procreate sons. Accord-
ing to the smrtis and Nibandhas, Dharmasampatti, Praja(and conse-
quent freedom from falling into hell) and rati (sexual and
other pleasures) are the principal purposes of marriage. 6 "To
be mothers were women created and to be fathers men, therefore,
the vedas ordain that Dharma must be practised by man together
with his wife."7 Manu considers marriage as a social insti-
tution for the regulation of proper relations between the
sexes.
8 The Br. P. also states that one should observe one's
dharma by marriage as without marriage, there is no progeny and
without progeny, one goes to hell. Moreover, the women are
the source to obtain happiness. Thus according to the Brd.P.
also Dharmasampatti, Praja and Rati are the three main purposes
of marriage,9 called there 'Darasamgraha'.9
Besides, the
woman is half of the man and therefore in order to attain
6 Vide Manu IX-28, Kane P.V., Op.Cit., P. 429.
7 Manu IX.96
8 Esodita Lokayatra nityan Stripumsayoh Subha 1
9 228. 24-29.
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