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 388 of: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
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368 66
the Prajapatya form, the father simply gave away his
daughter to the suitor saying Fulfil ye the law
conjointly". The Pai艣膩ca form was nothing more than
a form of rape when a man embraced a woman deprived
of consciousness.
The Dharmas奴tras rigorously prohibited marriages
among kinsfolk. The same gotra or pravara was excluded!
for purposes of marriage as also was the relationship.
within four degrees on the mother's side and six degrees.
on the father's side.' Baudh膩yana, a southerner, allowed
a man to marry the daughter of his maternal uncle or
paternal aunt." There were no child marriages in the
period of the Dharmas奴tras and remarriages were allowed
only in the case of child widows.
Messengers were sent by the bridegroom to the
father of the bride reciting Rigveda X. 85. 23, and if the
proposal was acceptable to both, the promise of marriage
was ratified and both parties touched a vessel containing
flowers, fried grain, barley and gold. The bridegroom
then performed a sacrifice. On the appointed day, the
bride took bath in fragrant water and then, putting on
newly dyed garments, sat down by the fire at the sacrifice.
The bridegroom also bathed and went through auspicious
cer茅monies and was escorted to the girl's house by young
women (who were not widows). The actual marriage
ceremony varied in detail in different localities but the
essentials were the same. The bridegroom holding the
bride by the hand led her thrice round the fire reciting
some verses. The bride sacrificed to the fire laj膩 or fried
grain, which her brother or guardian had put in her
hands. The bridegroom then caused the bride to
step forward seven paces reciting suitable words. This
going round the fire, sacrificing the l膩j膩s and the pacing of
seven steps constituted the principal ceremonies of
marriage. The couple then sat silent till the Polar Star
appeared, and then the husband showed it to his wife
saying "Firm be you, thriving with me". The wife
replied, "I see the Polar Star; may I obtain offspring".*
Then began the married life of the couple.
The Mahabharata also mentions eight forms of
1 Cf. Vasistha, VIII, 1 and 2 ; Apastamba, II. 5, 11, 15, 16. 2, Baudh膩yana,
1. 1, 2, 4. 3 Datta, op cit., pp. 260-261.
