The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c7.s4.24

c7.s4.24

For a long time astrological considerations like the tallying of horoscopes played no part in the settlement of marriage. Gṛihya Sūtras and Dharma Sūtras nowhere suggest or recommend that horoscopes of the parties to be married should be consulted before deciding upon their marriage. The reason is quite simple. In their days the science of astrology was quite in its infancy and had yet to evolve or borrow the zodiacal signs. Complicated horoscopes of the modern type did not exist and had not to be consulted down to about 400 A. D. From the dramas of Bhāsa it appears that astrologers of the 3rd century A. D. were only concerned about the auspiciousness of the marriage day. Certain lunar mansions (*nakshatras*) were regarded as auspicious and parents used to take the precaution of celebrating marriages on their days. Astrology played no further part in the marriage ceremony. The science, however, made rapid progress during the period 400-900 A. D.; it then began to play an important part in the making and breaking of matches. Horoscopes came into vogue at this time and began to be consulted at the settlement of marriage.