History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c26.413

v2.c26.413

*Varapreṣaṇa*: (sending persons to negotiate for the hand of the girl). The ancient custom seems to have been to send some person or persons (Ṛg. X. 85. 8-9) to the father of the girl for asking her in marriage. The same was the practice in the sūtras. *Vide* Śāṅ. gṛ. I. 6. 1-4 (where Ṛg. X. 85. 23 is the mantra recited when sending them), Baud. gṛ. I. 1. 14-15, Āp. gṛ. II. 16 and IV. 1-2 and 7. Even in medieval times, particularly among kṣatriyas, the bride-groom was the first to seek for the hand of a girl. In the Harṣacarita, prince Grahavarmā of the Maukhari race sent messengers for the hand of princess Rājyaśrī, sister of Harṣa¹²⁴⁰. In modern times among the brāhmaṇas and many other castes, the girl's father has to seek a bride-groom, though among the śūdras and several other castes the old practice is retained.