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344
LAWS OF MANU.
IX, 94.
damsel, shall not pay any nuptial fee to her father ; for the (latter) will lose his dominion over her in consequence of his preventing (the legitimate result of the appearance of her menses.
94. A man, aged thirty years, shall marry a maiden of twelve who pleases him, or a man of twenty-four a girl eight years of age; if (the performance of) his duties would (otherwise) be impeded, (he must marry) sooner.
95. The husband receives his wife from the gods, (he does not wed her) according to his own will ; doing what is agreeable to the gods, he must always support her (while she is) faithful.
96. To be mothers were women created, and to be fathers men; religious rites, therefore, are ordained in the Veda to be performed (by the husband) together with the wife.
97. If, after the nuptial fee has been paid for a maiden, the giver of the fee dies, she shall be given in marriage to his brother, in case she consents.
94. Medh. and Kull. point out that this verse is not intended to lay down a hard and fast rule, but merely to give instances of suitable ages. If (the performance of his duties would be impeded, &c.,' i. e. if he has finished his studentship earlier, he must marry at once in order to be able to fulfil his duties as a householder' (Kull., Nâr., Râgh.).
95. From the gods,' i. e. from those mentioned in the Mantras recited at the wedding, e. g. from Bhaga, Aryaman, Savitri, &c.' (Kull., Râgh.), or from Agni' (Nar.), or from Soma, the Gandharva, and Agni' (Medh., Nand.). Medh. reads vindetânikkhaya, 'shall wed without a wish on his part,' but mentions the other reading, vindate nekkhayâ, too. According to Medh., Kull., and Râgh., a faithful wife must be supported, even if she does not love her husband.
97. His brother,' i.e. his full brother, who is even (as) the deceased himself' (Nâr.). Regarding the nuptial fee, and the
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