The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c13.36

c13.36

Even when no bride-price was paid, the bride used to receive some wedding gifts in the Vedic age. *Pāriṇāhya* was the term used to denote them, and Vedic texts declare that the wife was to be their owner³. Gifts given on such occasions usually consisted of ornaments and clothes that could be worn by women alone. Men could have utilised them only by sale. In Hindu society there is, however, a deep prejudice against this procedure in connection with ornaments and clothes worn on auspicious occasions. Women therefore were naturally allowed to own these gifts. Whether the Vedic age allowed them to dispose of these articles without their husbands' consent, we do not know. Probably such a procedure was not permitted.