Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s21.274

v1.c3.s21.274

Wedding Ceremony.—In normal marriages the bridal was celebrated by an elaborate ceremony which bears in essentials and details the strongest resemblance to the form observed by other Indo-Germanic as well as non-Indo-Germanic peoples,⁹² and which was destined to secure the stability and fruitfulness of the union. The ceremony commenced at the bride’s house,⁹³ to which the bridegroom with his friends and relations repaired, and in which he met the friends and relations of the bride.⁹⁴ A cow or cows were slain for the entertainment of the guests.⁹⁵ The bridegroom having caused the bride to mount a stone, formally grasped her hand, and led her round the household fire.⁹⁶ This act constituted the marriage, the husband hence being called ‘he who takes by the hand’ (hasta-grābha).⁹⁷ The festivities being over,⁹⁸ the bridegroom took the bride to his home on a car in a marriage procession,⁹⁹ all to the accompaniment of suitable stanzas. Then followed cohabitation.¹⁰⁰