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DISCOURSE 37
181 Vedic tradition. This definition is not unacceptable to the Jain tradition.
In ancient India, no single system of marriage existed. The commentator taking examples from the Shastras of the various Vedic traditions, describes eight kinds of marriage systems. I will here describe briefly the eight systems of marriage. 1. THE BRAHMA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The bride is decorated with dress and ornaments and is entrusted to the bride-groom. At the time of entrusting the bride to the bride-groom, he who is giving away the bride in marriage says this to the bride, “You become the (sahadharmacharini) wife of this noble man". The marriage that is celebrated by making this profoundly meaningful utterance is called the Bramha vivaha. Sahadharmacharini means the wife is a partner with her husband in the performance of Dharma.
After the marriage, the woman had to live with her husband. The woman becomes the Sahadharmacharini of her husband only when she dedicates herself absolutely to her husband; when she follows the footsteps of her husband; and when she shares the joys and sorrows of her husband. The benedictory statement uttered at the time of the Bramha system of marriage is the key to married life (Dampathya Jivan). 2. THE PRAJAPATYA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The Prajapatya system of marriage is the name given to that form of marriage in which the father of the bride gives her away to his son-in-law in marriage along with some wealth and other possessions. Whether the son-in-law asks for it or not, the father of the girl voluntarily gives a gift of wealth in this system of marriage. It is natural that a wealthy father should bestow upon his daughter some wealth out of affection for her. 3. THE ARSHA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The Arsha marriage is the name given to that form of marriage in which the father of the girl gives a gift of two cows while giving away his daughter in marriage.
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