Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 006901
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 298
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 5 MB

Page 274

- Some Mistakes Corrected proceed with one heart and one mind, – “I may all the gods unite our hearts, may the god of maternity and the spirit of proper instruction and goodness, of wise and pure speech, unite us together."
This, my American brothers and sisters, in brief, is – the marriage ceremony of the Hindus. It is longer and more tedious perhaps than your short, and as it would seem, not over-binding ceremony which I have witnessed since coming to your country and also on this platform. In your ceremony words pass between the bride and bridegroom, some of which words, as you have seen, are conspicuous for their absence in the "Heathen” ceremony which I have declared to you. Your priest would say to the man - "Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wi thou love, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others cling only unto her so long as life shall last.” And to the bride he will say - "Wilt thou take this man to be thy wedded husband, wilt thou love, honor and obey him and forsaking all others cling only to him so long as life, shall last.” To these propositions the man and the woman are expected to answer each, “I will But, if what I hear from you be the truth, this is said in many instances, with a large reservation.”
The absence of the pledge to obey the husband in the religious marriage ceremony of my people ought of itself, to save us from certain strictures and unjust criticisms, and our women from consignment in your belief to a state of abject chattel hood, degradation, and groveling subserviency to their husbands. I hope you will understand that I do not assume to sit in judgment upon your institutions, nor for one moment to institute invidious comparisons; as a Hindu. I honor womanhood throughout the world and bow in proper worship to those sacred qualities which constitute wife-hood and motherhood - The greatest of all honors are those that cluster about the name and character of mother and wife.
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