Verse 3.43

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

पाणिग्रहणसंस्कारः सवर्णासूपदिश्यते ।
असवर्णास्वयं ज्ञेयो विधिरुद्वाहकर्मणि ॥ ४३ ॥

pāṇigrahaṇasaṃskāraḥ savarṇāsūpadiśyate |
asavarṇāsvayaṃ jñeyo vidhirudvāhakarmaṇi || 43 ||

In the case of girls of the same caste (as the bridegroom) the sacramental rite of “taking the hand” has been prescribed; and in that of the marriage of girls of different castes, this (following) should be known as the right procedure.—(43)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The rite called ‘taking the hand,’ as described by the authors of Gṛhyasutras, has been ‘prescribed’—laid down, mentioned by the scriptures as to be performed—‘in the case of girls of the same caste,’ being married.

‘In the case of girls of different castes’ being married, the following is ‘to be known as the right procedure.’—(43)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 835);—and in Smṛtitattva (II, p. 107), which latter adds that this verse makes it clear that ‘marriage’ is something distinct from the ‘holding of the hand’ (Pāṇigrahaṇa).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Viṣṇu (24.4).—‘In the marriage of a girl of the same caste as himself, the hand has to be held.’

Yājñavalkya (1.62).—‘In the case of girls of the same caste as the bridegroom, the hand is to be held.’