The Law Code of Yājñavalkya 1.3.65

1.3.65

eteṣāṃ pitrādīnāṃ pūrvasya pūrvasyābhāve paraḥ paraḥ kanyāpradaḥ prakṛtisthaś cet, yady unmādādidoṣavān na bhavati | ato yasyādhikāraḥ so 'prayacchan bhrūṇahatyām ṛtāv ṛtāv āpnoti | etac coktalakṣaṇavarasaṃbhave veditavyam | yadā punar dātṝṇām abhāvas tadā kanyaiva gamyaṃ gamanārham uktalakṣaṇaṃ varaṃ svayam eva varayet || 1.63 || 1.64 ||

Among these, beginning with the father, in the absence of each preceding one, each succeeding one is the giver of the maiden, if he is in a sound state of mind—that is, if he is not afflicted with defects such as madness. Therefore, whoever has the qualification, if he does not give her away, incurs embryo-killing at every menstrual season. And this is to be understood when a bridegroom endowed with the prescribed characteristics is available. When, however, there is an absence of givers, then the maiden herself may choose a bridegroom who is suitable—fit to be approached—and endowed with the prescribed characteristics. || 1.63 || 1.64