A legend goes, as to how the institution of marriage was created.
There was a sage called Uddalaka. He had a son called Swetaketu. Swetaketu was a small boy aged about eight or 10 years. Uddalaka was making morning oblations to the Sun God. His wife was supplying water to him. While the oblations were continuing, another Brahmin came and made a proposition to the lady that they should go together for sexual intercourse and the lady readily agreed. The boy was taken aback and Swetaketu told his father: "How is it that you have allowed my mother to go with another man?" The father, Uddalaka says: "Boy, that is the rule of the land." But Swetaketu did not agree. At a later stage, he became a great sage. He wrote an Upanishad also and he propounded the first theory of Uddalaka-Swetaketu principles where in adultery was prohibited.
As can be seen from above, that an adulterous women, was what prompted creation of institute of marriage. Also it was initiated by a son, who wanted his parents to stay with him. However, when he drafted the laws, he didn't got prejudiced, and made the law gender neutral, i.e. he forbade adultery by both the husband and wife.
However, centuries later, (rather more then 2 millennium) when Hindu Marriage Law (HMA), was drafted, it didn't forbade made adultery by a wife a crime. But ironically, the law said that, if a wife commits adultery, the man with whom, she commits adultery is the guilty person. The law takes the view, that the wife is innocent, and has been deceived :) Probably the law makers were too prejudiced, with what was happening in their own lives.
HMA also favors wives, when custody of children is given, when couples seperate. Which in itself, negates the whole concept of marriage.
All this, made one very highly knowledgeable person, remark (before 1983)
"Marriage has became nothing more then institutionalized prostitution."
hai
ReplyDeletethis is anie k subramanian. Somebody pl tell me, Who is the bastard, found out marriage?
"Spirit of Relation" matter to both man&woman than this stupid institution of marriage.
ReplyDeleteTime to break this stupid thing.
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ReplyDeleteHence Sanatan Dharma DO NOT have concept of Divorce & Maintainace ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard this story before! Thanks for sharing! While growing up, I’ve always wondered what marriage meant and where did it come from. I like the concept of marriage as a whole, but sometimes people should break their promises and get a divorce in order to be happy again. In case you are looking for any information as to the financial aspects of the divorce process, you may navigate to this web-site to find out the average divorce cost.
ReplyDelete