Dear
Seekers of Vedic Knowledge,
Subject- Institution of MARRIAGE as described in Vedas
A few relevant Mantras/Hymns/Riks in regard to marriage in the Vedas are
mentioned below
Rig-Veda says, "Wife is verily a home" (1-66-5, 1-77-3 and
3-54-4). After marriage the girl can attend and address Vidhata (Assembly regarding religious and spiritual matters) and Sabha (Assembly regarding social, economics
and political matters) and should conduct as per Rta (cosmic Laws of necessity) and Dharma (Rig Veda
10-85-26 to 42 and 47. Atharav Veda. 14-1-20 , 22. 14-2-64 , 71).
She is the mistress and ruler of the house. Virtuous, noble, educated wife of
an unimpeachable character and conducts devoted to her husband with body mind
and soul enjoy the highest bliss. Atharva Veda 14-1-20 enjoins the wife to go to husband's place and
become the mistress of the house.
However, for those who do not have faith in the permanent truths and
commandments of the Vedas and prefer to follow non divine vocations by
resorting to bribery, magic, miracles, adulteration of food, the Vedic
metaphysics is silent about the marriage institution for them. Out of six kinds
of marriages mentioned in Rig Veda like Brhama Vivah, Gandharva Vivah, Asura
Marriages based on use of force and any kind of pressure are not advised in Rig
Veda. Bigamy, polygamy and polyandry is not advised to Arayans (noble persons).
Rig-Veda 6-64-6 says, at the time of marriage the woman should
preferably choose a man who likes her most and is delighted to see her. Parents
should give freedom to the young girl to choose her life partner through the
institution of Svayamvara, which literally
means self choosing of a husband (R.V 5-47-6 and 1-71-8). The path-finders
found highly ethical and divine principles in regard to the institution of
marriage. God is present when sex is resorted to for the purposes of
procreation only in socially recognised marriages. A number of socially
recognised marriages have been mentioned. Love marriage is considered superior
to arranged marriage. Parents should encourage those young men and women who
love each other and want to get married. This kind of Marriage is Brahma Vivah
(marriage blessed by God). There is no mention anywhere that marriages should
be within the same Varna . More emphasis is on the same level of intelligence, ability and the
proficiency in Vedic education. Both degree holders should preferably marry
each other but their children could be assigned different Varna based on merit, aptitude and capacity.
There is no mention of 4 Varnas (Brahamin, Kshatriya, Vaisha and Shudra)
by birth in the Vedas.
Marriages arranged by parents are also contemplated. However, the
institution of svayamvara where the bridegroom has to fulfill
certain conditions of expertise, strength, power, knowledge etc., is to be
fulfilled as prescribed by the parents of the bride, before finally getting
married. This clearly shows the great importance Vedic rsis and munnies gave to women. No dowry system is mentioned anywhere. Vedas leave no
doubt those male female relationships are more on the principle of co-equal
relationship of the cosmos i.e. between Purusha (the Supreme Reality) and
Prakrti (Supreme Mother) and thus provide divinity and sanctity to the
institution of marriage.
For more details on Marriage, Four divine Varnas and Fifth non divine Avarna , Ideal Vedic Society etc, kindly refer
to Glimpses of Vedic Metaphysics available on Internet for online
reading/taking print at no cost. Website is<http://www.sabhlokcity.com/metaphysics>. The book is also
accessible throughGoogle.com.Yahoo.com andlulu.com. Please search for Vedic Metaphysics.
Kindly render divine social service and forward this e-mail to other
seekers of Vedic Knowledge. Any question on Vedic metaphysics (only) is most
welcome. All efforts will be made to find answer from the Vedas.
With kind regards,
P.K.Sabhlok
P.S
Please feel free to improve this Vedic Message but strictly conforming
to Veda Mantras/Riks/Hymns.
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