Significance of Sapinda
The term Sapinda refers to individuals connected through common ancestry, particularly in the context of inheritance and marriage prohibitions. In various texts, it encompasses blood relatives who inherit property in the absence of closer heirs, participate in death rituals, and are involved in purification processes during mourning. It also highlights specific kinship rules and customs associated with the deceased, such as the sharing of offerings and spiritual purity, reflecting the complex social and familial structures in Hindu culture.
In Dutch: Sapinda; In Finnish: Sapinda
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Sapinda'
In Hinduism, Sapinda refers to blood relatives entitled to inherit property and participate in death rituals, emphasizing familial lineage, purification rites, and specific customs regarding mourning and spiritual impurity related to deceased family members.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A term referring to the deceased's kin who are subject to specific rules of impurity in relation to funeral rites.[1] (2) A term that may refer to a relative or a person of the same lineage; its death can also trigger a state of impurity.[2] (3) Collaterals or relatives who may inherit the residue of property after specific shares have been allotted to the primary heirs.[3] (4) A term used in the text to denote relatives connected through birth and their relation to the rules of impurity.[4] (5) A category of kinship that highlights the permissible relationships within certain familial structures and rituals.[5]
From: Yajnavalkya-smriti (Vyavaharadhyaya)—Critical study
(1) Individuals who share a lineage up to seven generational degrees based on familial relationships linked to ceremonial offerings.[6] (2) A close relative considered eligible to participate in the practice of niyoga as a substitute for the husband.[7]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) A group that includes the great-grandfather, grandfather, father, oneself, uterine brothers, son of equal caste, grandson, and great-grandson.[8]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) Blood-relations of a suicide who are required to follow specific norms regarding funeral rites.[9]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A category of relatives in Hindu culture whose mourning periods have specific customs and guidelines following death.[10]
From: Gautama Dharmasutra
(1) Relatives or descendants of the deceased who are obligated to perform funeral rites in their absence.[11]
From: Padma Purana
(1) The seven ancestors who share in the offerings made to the departed, with the offerer being the seventh among them.[12] (2) A term referring to close ancestral relations, particularly in relation to the defilement and offerings conducted after death.[13]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) Relatives of the deceased who are bound by specific purification rituals during mourning periods to maintain spiritual integrity.[14] (2) Deceased ancestors for whom specific shraddha ceremonies are to be performed, especially when a man has passed away.[15]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) A kinsman partaking of the funeral rice-ball offerings, whose relationship follows specific marriage prohibitions.[16]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A term referring to individuals sharing a common ancestry, particularly in the context of prohibitions against marrying close relatives.[17]
From: Agni Purana
(1) Relatives in the family line, specifically mentioned in the context of their purification rules after death.[18]
From: Brahma Purana
(1) The relatives of a deceased person who participate in the rituals associated with the death and remembrance of the individual.[19]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) An agnate or blood relative who may inherit shares in the absence of closer heirs.[20]
From: Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
(1) A term referring to those related to the deceased, whose death is regarded as causing spiritual impurity.[21]
The concept of Sapinda in local and regional sources
Sapinda pertains to relatives whose approval is essential for a Hindu widow's child adoption. Their motivations and consent critically influence the legitimacy of the adoption process, highlighting the importance of familial relationships in such decisions.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Relatives whose consent is required for a Hindu widow to adopt a child; their motives and consent play significant roles in adoption validity.[22]