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74
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
II, 2, 6.
Because, Sir, in spite of whatever the man might say, the one fire was produced from the other.'
"Just so, great king, it is one name-and-form which has its end in death, and another name-and-form which is reborn. But the second is the result of the first, and is therefore not set free from its evil deeds. 'Give me a further illustration.'
Suppose, O king, a man were to choose a young girl in marriage, and give a price for her and go away. [48] And she in due course should grow up to full age, and then another man were to pay a price for her and marry her. And when the first one had come back he should say: "Why, you fellow, have you carried off my wife?” And the other were to reply: "It's not your wife I have carried off! The little girl, the mere child, whom you chose in marriage and paid a price for is one; the girl grown up to full age whom I chose in marriage and paid a price for, is another.” Now if they, thus disputing, were to go to law about it before you, O king, in whose favour would you decide the case ?'
In favour of the first.' But why?'
Because, in spite of whatever the second might say, the grown-up girl would have been derived from the other girl.'
Just so, great king, it is one name-and-form which has its end in death, and another name-and-form
Sunkam datva. Literally paying a tax.' So early were early marriages! Compare Theri Gâthâ, 402. Hînafi-kumburê, p. 58, has wolup di, having provided her with means of subsistence.' But, of course, the Sunka must have been a price paid to the parents.
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