________________
254
Lord Mahāvīra and His Times
were fixed for the marriage ceremonyl and the bridegroom's party reached the house of the bride on a fixed day. The bride was carried in a car to the bridegroom's place escorted by a number of people.2
The Asura form of marriage, in which a wife was procured by paying a substantial amount to her father, was also prevalent. The minister Teyaliputta wanted to marry the daughter of a goldsmith.3 A merchant, after leaving his negligent wife, married another girl by paying a large sum.' A robber, who had plenty of money, paid the desired amount, and married a girl.5 From Buddhist literature we know that the father of Isidasi had received a bride as price for her in her marriage.
The Gāndharva or love marriage was also popular among the nobles of the time. In this form of marriage, both the bride and bridegroom made their own choice by falling in love with each other without the knowledge of their guardians, and were married without rites or ceremonies. The marriage of Udayana with Vāsavadattā is well known. We hear of King Sīharaha of Puņdavaddhana who married a girl in the Gāndharva way.” Some Fataka stories also refer to this type of marriage. The Baudhayana Dharmasūtra refers with approval to the view of some thinkers that love-unions ought to be commended as they presuppose reciprocal attachment.
People sometimes resorted to the Rākshasa form of marriage. The forcible carrying of the girl to be married was the essential feature of this kind of marriage. There are many instances of elopement and abduction. Suvarṇāngulikā, a maid servant of Udayana, was abducted by king Pajjoya, Ruppiņi 1. Digha, I. 11; Jā, I. 258. 2. Jā, I. 258. 3. Näyā, 14, p. 148. 4. Uttarā, Ti, 4. p. 97. 5. Ullarā, Chū, p. 110. 6. Theri, 5, 5/120 and 163. 7. Uttarā. Ti, 9, p. 141, also 13. p. 190, 8. Ja, VI, 364 f; 1. 134-36; I, 300. 9, 1/11/13/7.
