Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c6.5

v1.c6.5

It is already well known from the Song of Nala and the inserted tale of Sāvitrī that, as on every important undertaking in India, at the wedding, too, a lucky day and prosperous hour was carefully looked for. When Rāma has won Sītā and called his father by messengers, and also the family register has been brought forward by both sides, Janaka, the bride’s father, says to Daçaratha that he wishes to give another daughter, Urmilā, to Lakshmaṇa, and goes on to say: “Now the moon stands in Maghā (the tenth house of the moon). On the third day (from to-day), at the time of the moon’s house Uttaraphalgunī, hold thou the wedding ceremony. Let the ancestral sacrifice be made, the godāna ceremony² be done over Rāma and over Lakshmaṇa, and happiness-bringing gifts be made on their behalf.” Viçvāmitra then seeks the two daughters of Janaka’s brother in marriage for Bharata and Çaṭrughna, the younger brothers of Rāma, and it is agreed that the four couples shall be wedded on one day. Daçaratha goes home with the prince, has the Çrāddha or customs of the dead and the godāna rite carried out, gives