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+ The Jaina Philosophy
May the husband and the wife be well united, turning to the bride priest would say, “Oh, maiden, the graceful sun had fastened thee with ties of maidenhood which means that up to this time she had lived free from the carnal knowledge of any man. We release thee now of these ties, we place thee with thy husband in a place which is the home of truth and the abode of righteous action."
These words and all others are repeated by the parents who give away their loved daughter to the husband. The hymn continues :- "Go to your husband's house and be its mistress, be the mistress of all, and exercise your authority over all in that house, let children be born unto thee and blessings attend thee, perform the duties of thy household with care, unite thy person with person of this thy husband, and exercise thy authority in this thy house until old age."
Addressing the married couple, the priest and parents continue :– “Oh, bridegroom and bride, do you remain here together, do not be separated, enjoy all proper food, be content to remain in your own home, and find and enjoy happiness in the company of your children and your grandchildren.”
The bride and bridegroom offer this prayer :- "May the Lord of Creation bestow on us children and may Aryman (the law of life-preservation) keep us united till old age.” To the bride is then said. Oh bride, enter with auspicious signs the home of thy husband, let thine eye be free from anger, minister to the happiness of thy husband, and be kind to all living beings, cultivate a cheerful mind and may thy beauty be bright; be the mother of heroic sons, and be devoted to the gods. May thou have influence over thy father-in-law, and over thy mother-in-law, and be as a queen over thy sister-in-law and thy brother-in-law.” And lastly, the bridegroom and the bride say to each other – in the full realization of the new relations in which they stand, henceforth to
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