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IX, 93.
DUTIES OF HUSBAND AND WIFE.
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performed by another, while his wife of equal caste is alive, is declared by the ancients (to be) as (despicable) as a Kândâla (sprung from the) Brâhmana (caste).
88. To a distinguished, handsome suitor (of) equal (caste) should (a father) give his daughter in accordance with the prescribed rule, though she have not attained (the proper age).
89. (But) the maiden, though marriageable, should rather stop in (the father's) house until death, than that he should ever give her to a man destitute of good qualities.
90. Three years let a damsel wait, though she be marriageable; but after that time let her choose for herself a bridegroom (of) equal (caste and rank).
91. If, being not given in marriage, she herself seeks a husband, she incurs no guilt, nor (does) he whom she weds.
92. A maiden who choses for herself, shall not take with her any ornaments, given by her father or her mother, or her brothers; if she carries them away, it will be theft.
93. But he who takes (to wife) a marriageable
Nand.), Medh. says, since olden times,' Når. 'in the Purana.' Regarding the origin of the Kândâlas, see below, X, 12.
88-92. Gaut. XVIII, 20-23; Vas. XVII, 69-71; Baudh. IV, 1, 11-14; Vi. XXIV, 40-41; Yågñ. I, 64.
88. “Though she have not attained (the proper age),' i.e.'the age of eight years' (Kull., Nâr., Râgh.), or before she is bodily fit for marriage' (Medh., Nand.). Medh.specially objects to the first opinion, 'because men greedy of money give even an infant in marriage.'
92. I read with Medh. and Nand., steyam syât, instead of stena syât, 'she will be a thief' (Kull., Râgh., K.). Medh. mentions another reading, stenah syât, 'he, i.e. the bridegroom, will be a thief.'
03. Medh. says that this verse, according to some,' does not belong to Manu (kekid âhuh amânavo 'yam slokah).
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