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Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s10.t3: Marriage by Purchase

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s10.t3

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Marriage by Purchase

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In this form of marriage a wife was obtained for money paid to her father’s family by the husband or his father. The minister Teyaliputta, referred to above, wanted to marry the daughter of a goldsmith, and so he asked him as to what money (*sunka*) he should pay him. The latter replied that it was sufficient that a minister was marrying his daughter and hence he need not worry about payment. We hear of a merchant, who, after leaving his negligent wife, married another girl by paying a large sum.²⁸ A robber who had plenty of money paid the desired amount (*jahacchiyam sunkam*) and married a girl.²⁹ Then we hear of king Candacchāya, who, while estimating the value of Malli, remarked that she was worth his whole kingdom.³⁰ These instances sufficiently testify to the prevalence of the practice of giving daughter in marriage in exchange of money.³¹

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²⁸ Uttarā Ṭī. 4, p. 97.

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²⁹ Uttarā. cū. p. 110.

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³⁰ Nāyā. 8, p. 103.

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³¹ For condemnation of such marriage, see Manu. III.51; also Altekar, op. cit., pp. 47-50

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It is said that the following marriage gifts (*pridāna*) were given to Meghakumāra by his parents : eight crores of silver, the same of gold, eight crowns, eight pairs of earrings, eight strings of pearls (*hāra*), half strings of pearls, (*addhahāra*), the same of one stringed necklaces of gems, (*ekkāvalī*), the same of pearls, gold, necklaces (*kaṇakāvalī*), jewel necklaces (*rayaṇāvalī*), bracelets, armlets (*tuḍaya*), eight suits of fine linen (*khoma*), tussar silk (*vaḍa*), silk (*paṭṭa*) dukūla silk (*dugulla*), eight figures of the goddesses such as *srī*, *hrī*, *dhṛti*, *kīrti*, *buddhi* and *lakṣmī*, eight round iron seats (*nandam*), stools (*bhaddā*) locks (*tāla* ?) flags, eight herds of cows (*vaya*), eight dramas with thirtytwo actors in each, eight jewelled horses, elephants, carts, (*yāna*), carriages (*jugga*) coaches (*sibikā*), litters (*saṃdamānī*), elephant litters (gilli), horse-palanquin (thilli), open carts (viyaḍayāna), chariots, eight villages, eight male slaves (dāsa), female slaves (dāsi), attendants (kinkara), chamberlains (kañcuki), courtiers (mahattara), eunuchs (varisadhara), eight lamps, platters (thāla), chargers (pāī), mirror plates (thāsaga), cups (mallaga), spoons (kaiviya), aveya pot (com tāpikā-hastaka ?), frying pans (avapakka), stools (pīḍha), seats (bhisiya), bowls (karodiyā), couches (pallankaya), sofas (padisijjā) each of gold, silver and gold-silver, the same number of swan chairs (āsana), heron chairs, eagle chairs, tall chairs (onaya), sloping chairs (panaya), long chairs, fine chairs (bhadda) winged chairs (pakkha), crocodile chairs, lotus chairs and disā-sovatthiya chairs, eight casks of oil (tellasamugga), the same of the substances such as kuttha, patta, coya, tagara, haritāla, hingula, manosilā and mustard (sarisava) ; eight hunch-backed women (kirāta) etc. as mentioned before There were eight maid-servants holding umbrellas, chowries, fans, bowls, five nurses, eight women to rub (maddiya), to knead, (ummaddiya), to bathe and to attire, eight women to pound sandal, to pound powders (cunnaya), eight women to make sport (kilākārī), to make laughter (davagārī), to wait by his couch (uvatthāniyā or ucchāviyā), eight to be of his theatre (nādailla), eight women as attendants (koḍumbinī), kitcheners (mahānasinī), stewards (bhaṇḍārī), carriers of babes (ajjhadhāriṇī?), flowers and drink, eight to perform the domestic sacrifice (balikārī), to make beds, to carry messages within and without, eight to make chaplets (mālākārī), and eight to be dispatched out (pesaṇakārī). Besides, the gifts included plenty of riches, gold, jewels, gems, pearls, shells, corals and rubies which were sufficient to last for generations³²

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³² Nāyā Ṭī 1, p 42a f, cf Bhag III, p 244 f Bechardas, Abhaya Com. 11. 11, Antagada, pp. 33-35. trans by Barnett.

Cites (6)