The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c7.s2.36

c7.s2.36

Vedic sacrifices, which were quite popular down to the 4th century B. C., often lasted for several weeks. The sacrificer had to invite a large number of priests to perform various duties in their connection. During this close and prolonged association, he would often be very favourably impressed by the culture, education and attainments of some one among the priests, and would decide to solve the marriage problem of his grown-up daughter by offering her to him. These were the days of post-puberty marriages; owing to the close association during the sacrifices, daughters also could get an opportunity to form an estimate of their future husbands and guide their parents in the choice. Daiva marriages disappeared with Vedic sacrifices. Later tradition has not preserved any instances of the earlier period. The case recorded in the *Bṛihaddaivata* is not really an instance of this marriage; for there the sage Śyāvāśva does not himself marry the sacrificer’s daughter, but selects her for his son (V, 54-55).