8. Marriage

Āpastamba

पाणिग्रहणादधि गृहमेधिनोर्व्रतम् ।1

1 After marriage, the special observances of the couple living the household life come into force. [A 2.1.1]

यच्चैनयोः प्रियं स्यात्तदेतस्मिन्नहनि भुञ्जीयाताम् ।7 अधश्च शयीयाताम् ।8 मैथुनवर्जनं च ।9 श्वोभूते स्थालीपाकः ।10 तस्योपचारः पार्वणेन व्याख्यातः ।11 नित्यं लोक उपदिशन्ति ।12

7 On the anniversary day let the couple eat whatever they like, 8 sleep on the floor, 9 and abstain from sexual intercourse. 10 On the following day the man should offer an oblation of cooked food. 11 The procedure for this offering is explained in the section on the new- and full-moon offerings. 12 In the world people require the couple to perform the above rites on every anniversary day. [A 2.1.7–12]

सगोत्राय दुहितरं न प्रयच्छेत् ।15 मातुश्च योनिसंबन्धेभ्यः ।16

15 He shall not give his daughter in marriage to a man belonging to the same lineage as he, 16 or to a blood relation of her mother. [A 2.11.15–16]

जायापत्योर्न विभागो विद्यते ।16 पाणिग्रहणाद्धि सहत्वं कर्मसु ।17 तथा पुण्यफलेषु ।18 द्रव्यपरिग्रहेषु च ।19 न हि भर्तुर्विप्रवासे नैमित्तिके दाने स्तेयमुपदिशन्ति ।20

16 There is no division of property between a husband and a wife, 17 because from the time of their marriage they are linked together in performing religious rites, 18 as also in receiving the rewards of their meritorious deeds 19 and in acquiring wealth; 20 for while the husband is away people do not consider it a theft for the wife to make a gift when the occasion demands. [A 2.14.16–20]

कुटुम्बिनौ धनस्येशाते ।3 तयोरनुमतेऽन्येऽपि तद्धितेषु वर्तेरन् ।4

3 The husband and wife have joint control over their property. 4 With their consent and for their benefit, others also may tend to it. [A 2.29.3–4]

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Gautama

गृहस्थः सदृशीं भार्यां विन्देतानन्यपूर्वां यवीयसीम् ।1 असमानप्रवरैर्विवाहः ।2 ऊर्ध्वं सप्तमात्पितृबन्धुभ्यः ।3 बीजिनश्च ।4 मातृबन्धुभ्यः पञ्चमात् ।5

1 A householder should marry a wife who comes from the same class as he, who has not been married before, and who is younger than he. 2 A marriage can be contracted only between persons not belonging to a family with the same ancestral seer 3 and not related within six degrees on the side of the legal 4 or the biological father, 5 or within four degrees on the mother's side. [G 4.1–5]

भ्रातरि चैवं ज्यायसि यवीयान्कन्याग्न्युपयमेषु ।18 षडित्येके ।19

18 Likewise, when an older brother (is missing), a younger brother of his should wait for the same length of time [12 years] before getting married or establishing the sacred fires; 19 for six years, according to some. [G 18.18–9]

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Vasiṣṭha

गृहस्थो विनीतक्रोधहर्षो गुरुणानुज्ञातः स्नात्वासमानार्षेयीमस्पृष्टमैथुनामवरवयसीं सदृशीं भार्यां विन्देत ।1 पञ्चमीं मातृबन्धुभ्यः सप्तमीं पितृबन्धुभ्यः ।2 वैवाहिकमग्निमादधीत ।3

1 Householder—after bringing his anger and excitement under control and taking the final bath with the permission of his teacher, he should select for his wife a woman who does not belong to a lineage with the same ancestral seer, who has not experienced sex before, who is younger than he and belongs to the same class as he, 2 and who is not related within four degrees on the mother's side or six degrees on the father's side. 3 He should kindle the nuptial fire. [Va 8.1–3]

Gautama

त्रीन् कुमार्यृतूनतीत्य स्वयं युञ्जीतानिन्दितेनोत्सृज्य पित्र्यमलंकारम् ।20 प्रदानं प्रागृतोः ।21 अप्रयच्छन्दोषी ।22 प्राग्वासःप्रतिपत्तेरित्येके ।23

20 When three menstrual periods have passed, a girl may discard the jewelry her father has given her and join herself on her own to a man of blameless reputation. 21 A girl shall be given in marriage before she reaches puberty, 22 and a man who fails to give her incurs a sin. 23 According to some, she should be given in marriage before she begins to wear clothes. [G 18.20–3]

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Baudhāyana

दद्याद् गुणवते कन्यां नग्निकां ब्रह्मचारिणे । अपि वा गुणहीनाय नोपरुन्ध्याद्रजस्वलाम् ॥11 त्रीणि वर्षाण्यृतुमतीं यः कन्यां न प्रयच्छति । स तुल्यं भ्रूणहत्यायै दोषमृच्छत्यसंशयम् ॥12 न याचते चेदेवं स्याद्याचते चेत्पृथक्पृथक् । एकैकस्मिन्नृतौ दोषं पातकं मनुरब्रवीत् ॥13 त्रीणि वर्षाण्यृतुमती काङ्क्षेत पितृशासनम् । ततश्चतुर्थे वर्षे तु विन्देत सदृशं पतिम् । अविद्यमाने सदृशे गुणहीनमपि श्रयेत् ॥14

11 A man should give his daughter in marriage while she is still “naked” to a man of good qualities who has maintained his vow of chastity, or even to a man lacking good qualities; let him not hold back a girl who has started to menstruate. 12 If a man does not give his daughter in marriage within three years after she has reached puberty, he undoubtedly incurs a guilt equal to that of performing an abortion. 13 That is the case if there is no suitor; but if there are suitors, then he incurs that guilt each time. Manu has declared that he becomes guilty of a grievous sin causing loss of caste at each of her menstrual periods. 14 For three years a girl who has reached puberty should heed her father's orders. But after that, in the fourth year, she may choose a husband of equal station. If a man of equal station is not found, she may even turn to a man lacking good qualities. [B 4.1.11–4]

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Vasiṣṭha

कुमार्यृतुमती त्रीणि वर्षाण्युपासीत ।67 ऊर्ध्वं त्रिभ्यो वर्षेभ्यः पतिं विन्देत तुल्यम् ।68 अथाप्युदाहरन्ति । पितुः प्रमादात्तु यदीह कन्या वयःप्रमाणं समतीत्य दीयते । सा हन्ति दातारमुदीक्षमाणा कालातिरिक्ता गुरुदक्षिणेव ॥69 प्रयच्छेन्नग्निकां कन्यामृतुकालभयात्पिता । ऋतुमत्यां हि तिष्ठन्त्यां दोषः पितरमृच्छति ॥70 यावन्तः कन्यामृतवः स्पृशन्ति तुल्यैः सकामामभियाच्यमानाम् । भ्रूणानि तावन्ति हतानि ताभ्यां मातापितृभ्यामिति धर्मवादः ॥71

67 After she attains puberty, a girl shall wait for three years. 68 When three years have passed, she should find herself a husband of the same class as she. 69 Now, they also quote: “If due to her father's negligence a girl here is given in marriage after her proper time has elapsed, she, who was made to wait, brings ruin to her giver, like a teacher's fee that is paid after the time has passed. 70 Out of fear that she should menstruate, a father should give a girl in marriage while she is still ‘naked’, for if she remains in his house after puberty her father becomes guilty of a sin. 71 As many menstrual periods a girl has while men of equal class are asking for her hand in marriage and she herself is willing, so many fetuses do her parents kill—so states the Law.” [Va 17.67–71]

Āpastamba

ब्राह्मे विवाहे बन्धुशीलश्रुतारोग्याणि बुद्ध्वा प्रजासहत्वकर्मभ्यः प्रतिपादयेच्छक्तिविषयेणालंकृत्य ।17 आर्षे दुहितृमते मिथुनौ गावौ देयौ ।18 दैवे यज्ञतन्त्र ऋत्विजे प्रतिपादयेत् ।19 मिथः कामात्संवर्तेते स गान्धर्वः ।20 शक्तिविषयेण द्रव्याणि दत्त्वा वहेयुः स आसुरः ।1 दुहितृमतः प्रोथयित्वा वहेयुः स राक्षसः ।2 तेषां त्रय आद्याः प्रशस्ताः पूर्वः पूर्वः श्रेयान् ।3 यथा युक्तो विवाहस्तथा युक्ता प्रजा भवति ।4

17 At a “Brahma” marriage, he should inquire about the groom's family, virtue, learning, and health; adorn the girl with jewelry to the best of his ability; and give her for bearing children, for companionship, and for carrying out rituals. 18 At a “Seer's” marriage, the bridegroom should give a bull and a cow to the bride's father. 19 At a “Divine” marriage, the father should give the girl in marriage to the officiating priest during the course of a sacrifice. 20 When a couple in love engages in sexual intercourse, it is a “Gandharva” marriage. 1 When the groom gives a bride-price to the best of his ability and then marries the girl, it is a “Demonic” marriage. 2 When a group of men violently overcomes the girl's guardians and carries her away, it is a “Fiendish” marriage. 3 Among these, the three enumerated first are the most excellent, and each preceding one is better than the one that follows. 4 The excellence of the marriage determines the excellence of the children that issue from it. [A 2.11.17–20; 2.12.1–4]

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Gautama

ब्राह्मो विद्याचारित्रबन्धुशीलसंपन्नाय दद्यादाच्छाद्यालंकृताम् ।6 संयोगमन्त्रः प्राजापत्ये सह धर्मश्चर्यतामिति ।7 आर्षे गोमिथुनं कन्यावते दद्यात् ।8 अन्तर्वेद्यृत्विजे दानं दैवोऽलंकृत्य ।9 इच्छन्त्याः स्वयं संयोगो गान्धर्वः ।10 वित्तेनानतिः स्त्रीमतामासुरः ।11 प्रसह्यादानाद्राक्षसः ।12 असंविज्ञातोपसंगमनात्पैशाचः ।13 चत्वारो धर्म्याः प्रथमाः ।14 षडित्येके ।15

6 When one dresses up a girl, adorns her with jewelry, and gives her to a man of learning, character, and virtue who has relatives, it is a “Brahma” marriage. 7 At a “Prajāpati” marriage, the nuptial formula is “May you jointly fulfill the Law.” 8 At a “Seer's” marriage, the bridegroom should give a bull and a cow to the father of the girl. 9 When one adorns a girl with jewelry and gives her to the officiating priest within the sacrificial arena, it is a “Divine” marriage. 10 When a man on his own has intercourse with a willing woman, it is a “Gandharva” marriage. 11 When a man courts the guardians of the girl with money, it is a “Demonic” marriage. 12 When a man abducts her by force, it is a “Fiendish” marriage. 13 When a man has intercourse with an unconscious girl, it is a “Ghoulish” marriage. 14 The first four types are in accordance with the Law; 15 the first six, according to some. [G 4.6–15]

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Baudhāyana

अष्टौ विवाहाः ।1 श्रुतशीले विज्ञाय ब्रह्मचारिणेऽर्थिने दीयते स ब्राह्मः ।2 आच्छाद्यालंकृत्य । एषा सह धर्मश्चर्यतामिति । प्राजापत्यः ।3 पूर्वं लाजाहुतिं हुत्वा गोभ्यां सहार्षः ।4 दक्षिणासु नीयमानास्वन्तर्वेद्यृत्विजे स दैवः ।5 धनेनोपतोष्यासुरः ।6 सकामेन सकामायां मिथः संयोगो गान्धर्वः ।7 प्रसह्य हरणाद्राक्षसः ।8 सुप्तां मत्तां प्रमत्तां वोपगच्छेदिति पैशाचः ।9 तेषां चत्वारः पूर्वे ब्राह्मणस्य तेष्वपि पूर्वः पूर्वः श्रेयान् ।10 उत्तरेषामुत्तर उत्तरः पापीयान् ।11 अत्रापि षष्ठसप्तमौ क्षत्रधर्मानुगतौ तत्प्रत्ययत्वात् क्षत्रस्य ।12 पञ्चमाष्टमौ वैश्यशूद्राणाम् ।13 अयन्त्रितकलत्रा हि वैश्यशूद्रा भवन्ति ।14 कर्षणशुश्रूषाधिकृतत्वात् ।15 गान्धर्वमप्येके प्रशंसन्ति सर्वेषां स्नेहानुगतत्वात् ।16

1 There are eight types of marriages. 2 When a girl is given to a vedic student who requests her, after inquiring into his learning and character, it is a “Brahma” marriage. 3 After dressing her up and adorning her with jewelry, when a girl is given with the formula, “Here she is! May you jointly fulfill the Law,” it is a “Prajāpati” marriage. 4 When the groom first offers parched grain in the sacred fire and gives a cow and a bull to the girl's father, it is a “Seer's” marriage. 5 When the girl is given to the officiating priest within the sacrificial arena while the sacrificial gifts are being taken away, it is a “Divine” marriage. 6 When the groom takes the girl after gratifying her parents with money, it is a “Demonic” marriage. 7 When a lover has sex with his beloved through mutual consent, it is a “Gandharva” marriage. 8 When a man takes away a girl by force, it is a “Fiendish” marriage. 9 When a man has intercourse with a girl who is asleep, intoxicated, or insane, it is a “Ghoulish” marriage. 10 Of these, only the first four are suitable for Brahmins, and even among these each preceding type is better than each following. 11 Of the last four, each subsequent type is worse than each preceding. 12 Among the latter, moreover, the sixth and seventh flow from the Kṣatriya nature, because that is the dominant feature of Kṣatriyas; 13 while the fifth and the eighth are suitable for Vaiśyas and Śūdras, 14 for Vaiśyas and Śūdras are lax about their wives 15 because they are occupied with agricultural and servile work. 16 Some commend the “Gandharva” form of marriage for all, because it flows from love. [B 1.20.1–16]

यथा युक्तो विवाहस्तथा युक्ता प्रजा भवतीति विज्ञायते ।1

1 “The excellence of the marriage,” it is stated, “determines the excellence of the children that issue from it.” [B 1.21.1]

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Vasiṣṭha

षड्विवाहाः ।28 ब्राह्मो दैव आर्षो गान्धर्वः क्षात्रो मानुषश्चेति ।29 इच्छत उदकपूर्वं यां दद्यात्स ब्राह्मः ।30 यज्ञतन्त्रे वितत ऋत्विजे कर्म कुर्वते कन्यां दद्यादलंकृत्य तं दैवमित्याचक्षते ।31 गोमिथुनेन चार्षः ।32 सकामां कामयमानः सदृशीं योनिमुह्यात्स गान्धर्वः ।33 यां बलेन प्रमथ्य हरन्ति स क्षात्रः ।34 पणित्वा धनक्रीता स मानुषः ।35 तस्माद् दुहितृमतेऽधिरथं शतं देयमितीह क्रयो विज्ञायते ।36 या पत्युः क्रीता सत्यथान्यैश्चरतीति ह चातुर्मास्येषु ।37 अथाप्युदाहरन्ति । विद्या प्रनष्टा पुनरभ्युपैति कुलप्रणाशे त्विह सर्वनाशः । कुलापदेशेन हयोऽपि पूज्यस्तस्मात्कुलीनां स्त्रियमुद्वहन्तीति ॥38

28 There are six types of marriage: 29 Brahma, Divine, Seer's, Gandharva, Kṣatriya, and Human. 30 When a girl is given to a suitor after pouring water, it is a “Brahma” marriage. 31 When during the course of a sacrifice a man adorns a girl and gives her to the officiating priest as he performs the ritual, they call it a “Divine” marriage. 32 When a girl is given for a cow and a bull, it is a “Seer's” marriage. 33 When a man in love has sex with a woman in love of a similar station, it is the “Gandharva” marriage. 34 When a man abducts a girl, putting down opposition by force, it is the “Kṣatriya” marriage. 35 When a man negotiates a price and purchases a girl for money, it is the “Human” marriage. 36 Purchase is pointed out in this passage: “Therefore, the groom should give one hundred cows together with a chariot to the bride's father.” 37 And in the chapter on seasonal sacrifices it is said: “When a woman has been purchased by her husband and afterwards has affairs with other men. …” 38 Now, they also quote: “Lost knowledge comes back again; but when the family is lost, everything here is lost. Even a horse gets honor on account of its family line. Therefore, people marry wives from distinguished families.” [Va 1.28–38]

Āpastamba

दानं क्रयधर्मश्चापत्यस्य न विद्यते ।10 विवाहे दुहितृमते दानं काम्यं धर्मार्थं श्रूयते तस्माद् दुहितृमतेऽधिरथं शतं देयं तन्मिथुया कुर्यादिति । तस्यां क्रयशब्दः संस्तुतिमात्रम् । धर्माद्धि संबन्धः ।11

10 The custom of donating or selling one's children is not recognized as legitimate. 11 It is said in the Veda that at the time of marriage the groom should voluntarily give a gift to the bride's father in order to fulfill the Law: ‘Therefore, the groom should give one hundred cows together with a chariot to the bride's father. The latter should repudiate that gift.’ The term ‘sale’ used in connection with this rite is only a figure of speech, for their union is brought about through the Law. [A 2.13.10–11]

शक्तिविषयेण द्रव्याणि दत्त्वा वहेयुः स आसुरः ।1

1 When the groom gives a bride-price to the best of his ability and then marries the girl, it is a “Demonic” marriage. [A 2.12.1]

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Gautama

वित्तेनानतिः स्त्रीमतामासुरः ।11

11 When a man courts the guardians of the girl with money, it is a “Demonic” marriage. [G 4.11]

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Baudhāyana

धनेनोपतोष्यासुरः ।6

6 When the groom takes the girl after gratifying her parents with money, it is a “Demonic” marriage. [B 1.20.6]

अथाप्युदाहरन्ति । क्रीता द्रव्येण या नारी सा न पत्नी विधीयते । सा न दैवे न सा पित्र्ये दासीं तां काश्यपोऽब्रवीत् ॥2 शुल्केन ये प्रयच्छन्ति स्वसुतां लोभमोहिताः । आत्मविक्रयिणः पापा महाकिल्बिषकारकाः ॥ पतन्ति नरके घोरे घ्नन्ति चासप्तमं कुलम् । गमनागमनं चैव सर्वं शुल्के विधीयते ॥3

2 Now they also quote: “It is laid down that a woman who is purchased for money is not a wife. She cannot take part in rites for gods or ancestors, and Kāśyapa has declared her to be a slave. 3 When people, bewitched by greed, deliver a daughter of theirs for a payment, these wicked men, selling their own selves and guilty of a heinous crime, fall into a gruesome hell, slay their families up to the seventh generation, and repeatedly die and are reborn—all this is decreed when a payment takes place.” [B 1.21.2–3]

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Vasiṣṭha

पणित्वा धनक्रीता स मानुषः ।35 तस्माद् दुहितृमतेऽधिरथं शतं देयमितीह क्रयो विज्ञायते ।36 या पत्युः क्रीता सत्यथान्यैश्चरतीति ह चातुर्मास्येषु ।37

35 When a man negotiates a price and purchases a girl for money, it is the “Human” marriage. 36 Purchase is pointed out in this passage: “Therefore, the groom should give one hundred cows together with a chariot to the bride's father.” 37 And in the chapter on seasonal sacrifices it is said: “When a woman has been purchased by her husband and afterwards has affairs with other men. …” [Va 1.35–7]

Baudhāyana

सगोत्रां चेदमत्योपगच्छेन्मातृवदेनां बिभृयात् ।37 प्रजाता चेत्कृच्छ्राब्दपादं चरित्वा । यन्म आत्मनो मिन्दाभूत् । पुनरग्निश्चक्षुरदादिति । एताभ्यां जुहुयात् ।38 परिवित्तः परिवेत्ता या चैनं परिविन्दति । सर्वे ते नरकं यान्ति दातृयाजकपञ्चमाः ॥39 परिवित्तः परिवेत्ता दाता यश्चापि याजकः । कृच्छ्रद्वादशरात्रेण स्त्री त्रिरात्रेण शुध्यतीति ॥40

37 If someone has sexual relations with a woman unaware that she belongs to the same lineage as he, he should support her like his mother. 38 If she bears his child, he should perform the arduous penance for three months and make an offering of ghee reciting these two verses: “Whatever blemish there is in me …,” and “Fire has put back the sight ….” 39 Someone whose younger brother gets married before him or who gets married before his older brother; the woman who gets married to such a man; the man who gives her away; and the fifth, the man who officiates at the wedding—all these go to hell. 40 Someone whose younger brother gets married before him or who gets married before his older brother, the man who gives the woman away, and the man who officiates at the wedding are purified by performing the arduous penance for twelve days, whereas the woman is purified by performing it for three days. [B 2.1.37–40]

Āpastamba

धर्मप्रजासंपन्ने दारे नान्यां कुर्वीत ।12 अन्यतराभावे कार्या प्रागग्न्याधेयात् ।13 आधाने हि सती कर्मभिः संबध्यते येषामेतदङ्गम् ।14

12 So long as his wife participates in religious rites and bears children, a man may not take another wife. 13 If she is wanting in either of these, he may take another prior to establishing his sacred fires, 14 for a wife who participates in the ritual establishment of his sacred fires becomes associated with the rites to which the establishment of the sacred fires is only supplementary. [A 2.11.12–14]

पूर्ववत्यामसंस्कृतायां वर्णान्तरे च मैथुने दोषः ।3 तत्रापि दोषवान्पुत्र एव ।4

3 It is a sin to engage in sexual intercourse with a woman who has been married before, or whom he has not married with the proper rites, or who belongs to a different class than he; 4 and a son born from their union undoubtedly participates in their sin. [A 2.13.3–4]

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Baudhāyana

चत्वारो वर्णा ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविट्शूद्राः ।1 तेषां वर्णानुपूर्व्येण चतस्रो भार्या ब्राह्मणस्य ।2 तिस्रो राजन्यस्य ।3 द्वे वैश्यस्य ।4 एका शूद्रस्य ।5

1 There are four classes: Brahmin, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra. 2 Of these, according to the order of the classes, a Brahmin may have four wives, 3 a Kṣatriya three, 4 a Vaiśya two, 5 and a Śūdra one. [B 1.16.1–5]

अप्रजां दशमे वर्षे स्त्रीप्रजां द्वादशे त्यजेत् । मृतप्रजां पञ्चदशे सद्यस्त्वप्रियवादिनीम् ॥6

6 In the tenth year a man may dismiss a wife who bears no children, in the twelfth year a wife who bears only daughters, and in the fifteenth year a wife all of whose children die; a wife who is sharp-tongued, however, he should dismiss immediately. [B 2.4.6]

उदपानोदके ग्रामे ब्राह्मणो वृषलीपतिः । उषित्वा द्वादश समाः शूद्रसाधर्म्यमृच्छति ॥32

32 If a Brahmin married to a Śūdra woman lives for twelve years in a village which obtains its water from wells, he becomes equal to a Śūdra. [B 2.6.32]

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Vasiṣṭha

तिस्रो ब्राह्मणस्य भार्या वर्णानुपूर्व्येण द्वे राजन्यस्य एकैका वैश्यशूद्रयोः ।24 शूद्रामप्येके मन्त्रवर्जं तद्वत् ।25 तथा न कुर्यात् ।26 अतो हि ध्रुवः कुलापकर्षः प्रेत्य चास्वर्गः ।27

24 According to the order of the classes, a Brahmin may take three wives, a Kṣatriya two, and a Vaiśya and a Śūdra one each. 25 According to some, one may even marry a Śūdra woman just as one marries others but without the recitations of ritual formulas. 26 One should not do so, 27 for it results in the certain decline of one's family and the exclusion from heaven after death. [Va 1.24–7]

Baudhāyana

संवत्सरं प्रेतपत्नी मधुमांसमद्यलवणानि वर्जयेदधः शयीत ।7 षण्मासानिति मौद्गल्यः ।8 अत ऊर्ध्वं गुरुभिरनुमता देवराज्जनयेत्पुत्रमपुत्रा ।9

7 When her husband dies, a wife should abstain from honey, meat, liquor, and salt, and sleep on the floor for one year; 8 for six months, according to Maudgalya. 9 After that time, if she has no son, she may bear one through a brother-in-law with the consent of her elders. [B 2.4.7–9]

बलाच्चेत्प्रहृता कन्या मन्त्रैर्यदि न संस्कृता । अन्यस्मै विधिवद्देया यथा कन्या तथैव सा ॥15 निसृष्टायां हुते वापि यस्यै भर्ता म्रियेत सः । सा चेदक्षतयोनिः स्याद्गतप्रत्यागता सती । पौनर्भवेन विधिना पुनःसंस्कारमर्हति ॥16

15 If a virgin has been forcibly abducted but has not been married with the recitation of ritual formulas, she may be given in marriage to another man in accordance with the rules; she is in every respect like a virgin. 16 If the husband dies after a girl has been given away or after the nuptial offering has been made, and she returns home after going away, she may be given in marriage again following the procedure of a second marriage, provided she is still a virgin. [B 4.1.15–6]

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Vasiṣṭha

अद्भिर्वाचा च दत्तायां म्रियेतादौ वरो यदि । न च मन्त्रोपनीता स्यात्कुमारी पितुरेव सा ॥72 बलाच्चेत्प्रहृता कन्या मन्त्रैर्यदि न संस्कृता । अन्यस्मै विधिवद्देया यथा कन्या तथैव सा ॥73 पाणिग्राहे मृते बाला केवलं मन्त्रसंस्कृता । सा चेदक्षतयोनिः स्यात्पुनः संस्कारमर्हतीति ॥74 प्रोषितपत्नी पञ्च वर्षाण्युपासीत ।75 ऊर्ध्वं पञ्चभ्यो वर्षेभ्यो भर्तृसकाशं गच्छेत् ।76 यदि धर्मार्थाभ्यां प्रवासं प्रत्यनुकामा न स्याद्यथा प्रेत एवं वर्तितव्यं स्यात् ।77 एवं ब्राह्मणी पञ्च प्रजाता अप्रजाता चत्वारि राजन्या प्रजाता चत्वार्यप्रजाता त्रीणि वैश्या प्रजाता त्रीण्यप्रजाता द्वे शूद्रा प्रजाता द्वेऽप्रजातैकम् ।78 अत ऊर्ध्वं समानार्थजन्मपिण्डोदकगोत्राणां पूर्वः पूर्वो गरीयान् ।79 न तु खलु कुलीने विद्यमाने परगामिनी स्यात् ।80

72 If, after a girl has been betrothed with words and the pouring of water but before she is given in marriage with the recitation of ritual formulas, the bridegroom dies, the girl belongs to her father. 73 If a virgin has been forcibly abducted but has not been married with the recitation of ritual formulas, she may be given in marriage to another man in accordance with the rules; she is like a virgin in every respect. 74 If the husband dies after a young girl has been given in marriage with the recitation of ritual formulas and if she is still a virgin, she may be given in marriage again. 75 The wife of a man who has gone to a distant land should wait for five years. 76 After the lapse of five years she may go to her husband. 77 If, however, she is unwilling to go to a distant land for religious or financial reasons, she may act as if he were dead. 78 Accordingly, a Brahmin woman should wait for five years if she has offspring and for four years if she does not; a Kṣatriya woman should wait for four years if she has offspring and for three years if she does not; a Vaiśya woman should wait for three years if she has offspring and for two years if she does not; and a Śūdra woman should wait for two years if she has offspring and for one year if she does not. 79 After that time she may go to one of the following: one who shares the same property as her husband, one who is born from the same parents, one who belongs to the same ancestry, one who belongs to the same distant ancestry, and one who belongs to the same lineage. Among these each preceding is more honorable than each following. 80 She should not, however, go to a stranger when a member of her family is available. [Va 17.72–80]