________________
Social Conditions
257
Marriage was guided by two special laws among the Lichchhavis of Vaiśāls. One of them prohibited the marriage of a Lichchhavi lady with any outsider. This law was so strictly followed that the secret marriage of Simha's daughicra with the romantic king Bimbisāra of Magadha brought on the dreadful fight between the Lichchavis and the Magadha people, resulting in the discomfiture of the former and their resolve to make "a requital of enmity (Vairaniryātana) even to the sons of the king." They were so particular about it that this resolution was got recorded and kept in a box duly scaled.3
The second law was in connection with Stīratna 'the jewel of women' (the most excellent woman).4 According to this law, the Strīratna was not allowed to be married for herself, but was to adorn and entertain the society in which she was brought up, for which she was called Nagarasobhini. She was thought to be one of the greatest trcasures of the nation, a treasure which was not to be under the possession of an individual, however great he might be in position or in wealth. She was to belong to the whole Gana. At this time Ambapālī, for example, was the most excellent girl, and was therefore made Nagaraíobhinī. INTER-CASTE MARRIAGE
The system of inter-caste marriages was not a common practice. Only the people of higher classes practised it, but not quite often. The marriage of a bridegroom belonging to a higher castc with a bride of a lower castc was known as Anuloma marriage, and the marriage of a high-caste girl with a low-caste boy was named Pratiloma marriage. We find in a Jätaka that a king saw a beautiful girl named Sujātā, daughter of a greengrocer selling jujubes, fell in love with her and made her his queen consort.5 A Jalaka describcs Sonapati Ahipäraka as marrying Ummadanıs, a merchant's daughter."
1. W. W. RockuLL: The Life of the Buddha, p. 62; IHQ. XXIII, p. 59. ... IHQ, XXIII, p. 591. n. 3. Ibid. 4. Ibid. 5. Ja, III.SI. 6. Ibid, V. 211,
