India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c8.s2.13

c8.s2.13

His wife was technically called *Patnī* derived from the term *Pati* to whom she was wedded at the sacrifice (*Patyur-no yajñasamyoge*, IV.1.33). The two together tended through life the sacred Family Fire, (*Gārhapatya Agni*) essential for the performance of domestic ceremonies. As stated by Manu (III.67) the married couple installed and tended the *vaivāhika agni* for the *gṛihya* rites. They were also called *āvasathika* from their dwelling in an *āvasatha* (IV.4. 74), from which their Fire was named *Āvasathya*.