Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s10.t3.1

c12.s10.t3.1

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