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Social conditions
rituals, auspicious songs called 'Mangalagana' were sung again (XIX.75).
Svayamvara: It was prevalent amongst Ksatriyas. (VII.66). A place was decorated for Svayamvara called Svayamvara-maṇḍapa (VII.89). The bride put her hand in the hand of a maid-servant (Pratihārī) and then turn by turn went to all the candidates (VII.92). Then she put the garland in the neck of the most suitable (VII.108).
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Polygamy: It is frequently referred to by the Dvyāśrayakavya and the description of a cowife; a jealousy for her and a lesson to 'Mugdha-Nayika' is mentioned (1.107). It was prevalent mostly amongst kings (II.9).
Dowry Dowry was very prevalent even in royal marriages. Elephants, horses, chariots and coins were also given to a king (VII.75; VII.109; VII.112; IX.171; XIX,24).
The Dowry is not mentioned in public directly except an indication that the father of the girl was worried for the marriage of girl (XVIII.62). In the poem the father of the girl is mentioned to be sending presents to his son-in-law (IX.163). According to Altekar it was a voluntary gift of pure affection and presented no impediments in the settlement of the daughter's marriage till the middle of the 19th century1.
(e) Society
People People in the society are said to be virtuous (1.59), true (1.85); restraint (1.92) and well-behaved (1.93). There was no mutual exploitation (1.94). People did not crave for women of others (1.20). They were leading a happy and healthy social life (I.104),
1. Altekar, A.S. Position ci women in Hindu civilization, p. 71.
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