The old Devala law-book — fragments 3: Marriage and the family
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Marriage and the family
3.1
These four marriages, (given) with a libation of water, are lawful, without bride-price, fit for Brahmins, and save both families. The four (others) they know as marriages with bride-price, common (to all); the Rākṣasa only for the Kṣatriya, as approved (for him).
3.2
When one adorns a well-bred, virtuous maiden of good family and right age and gives her to a worthy man, that marriage is called Brāhma.
3.3
When the maiden is given duly after a bride-price has been paid, this marriage for money is called the sixth, the Āsura.
3.4
When one carries off a maiden asleep or intoxicated, or in distress, that marriage by negligence is called the eighth, the Paiśāca.
3.5
In Gāndharva marriages the wedding rite is to be performed again by the three classes, by agreement, with the fire as witness.
3.6
A father who duly gives three daughters in marriage, having brought them up and settled them properly, does not go to hell, nor does a woman who has borne only daughters.
3.7
If one who is well does not approach his wife when she has bathed after her season …
3.8
Of twins, the one whose face they see first when born: in him are established the line, the ancestors and seniority.
3.9
These twelve sons are declared for the continuance of the line: born of oneself, born of another, acquired, and come by chance; of them the first six are kinsmen and heirs, the other six (heirs) of the father only.
3.10
All these sons of a man without a son of his body are held to be heirs; but when a son of his body is born, seniority does not belong to them.
Linked texts (1)
- Devalasmṛti (fragments) — Sanskrit