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THE WAY OF LIFE
The commentator, Acharyashri Munichandrasooriji, in this context refers to the other ideologies than Jainism. That is, he refers to the Vedic tradition and he also describes the guidance given by the Vedic shastras regarding marriage.
THE AGE FOR MARRIAGE; 12 YEARS FOR GIRLS AND 16 YEARS FOR BOYS
In the Vedic shastras, the very first point mentioned is the parity of age between the bride and the bride-groom. It is said in the Vedic shastras that the proper age for marriage is twelve years in the case of girls and sixteen years in the case of boys. At present, this prescription regarding the age for marriage is not accepted. In fact, even the ideals behind marriage also have changed. Any Dharmagrantha belonging to any religious tradition provides guidance only with the objective of encouraging spiritual development and purification. Social philosophies do not give any place to the Dharmatatvas. Social philosophy and psychology aim at man's physical, mental, economic and materialistic condition and improvement.
The sages and munis of ancient times, exercising their mental vision found that the proper age for marriage was twelve years in the case of girls. Probably, it was felt that in girls, a strong sexual impulse appears by the age of twelve and that if they are not married at that age, they might lose their chastity by means of illicit contacts. As long as they are not married, they may develop contacts with many men and consequently, absorbed in sensual pleasures, they may not carry out spiritual activities; may lose their character and chastity and may ruin their lives. Social philosophy emphasises the point that girls should safeguard their chastity and should keep it unbroken. Pre-marital sex should be completely kept away. In other words, young men and young women should not engage themselves in pre-marital sex. Those men and women who engage themselves in pre-marital sex are condemned by society. People abhor them.
The girl who cannot control her sexual passion before marriage may develop sexual intimacy with someone secretly.
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