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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
and therefore the girls could grow up in their paternal house for a longer period.
Marriage Ceremonies and Feasts--Two different phrases, i. e. varita and paripita, have been used. The word varita meant the betrothal ceremony preceding parimita which was the stage after the marriage ceremony was over. Favourable conditions of the stars and planets (nakşatra) were studied in great detail as it was believed that marriage solemnised at an inauspicious hour would not promote matrimonial happiness. It was thus a superstitious belief amongst the unhappy wives who were deprived of the love and affection of their husbands to take it for granted that at the time of their marriage the stars were not in favourable position (vivakkara di dosa).* The Buddhist and Brāhmaṇic authorities also put a great stress on this point." Vātsyāyana quoting the earlier authorities in his text gives it as his decided opinion that a girl should be sought for or given away when the signs, omens, portents and voices were favourable.* Bāna informs that “on a day of good omen Prabhākaravardhana poured the Rajyasri's betrothal water upon the hand of an envoy extraordinary”.2
During marriage a pavilion or canopy (man lapa)* was raised and various types of festoons of flowers and green leaves (vandana-māliya) were suspended at the gates for auspicious
such.-Sangave, op.cit., p. 159; see also_Jain, K.C., op. cit., pp. 45
and 339. 1. Ar qui AYET-YIT AZT afruitat—NG. 1, p. 17. 2. oui faarelau 177TTIG-DIAT OFEETF9--NC. 2, p. 25€; Bih-Vr. 4, p. 1030.
Sumai.gala Vilāsıni, 1. 96; cf. Paumacarija, 6. 27 and 15. 95. 4. kamasutra, p. 185.
See also-Chakaldar, Social Life in Ancient India, p. 129. 5. Harsacarita, p. 123. 6. CAT 34Th Heal, pre À Ft-NC. 2, p. 461. Mention of the words
asthānamand apa and vāsagrha perhaps point towards the ceremonies of Mandapa-vedi-pralis nā and Vāsakse pa which are two rites among the 16 main rites in the marriage ceremony as observed by the Svetâmbara Jainas. For 16 main rites of marriage see-Sangave, op. cit., p. 165.
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