Kutumba (the institution of family)

The institution of family originated during the Vedic time. Even though the patriarch was its head his authority and relations with his dependents are not clearly y mentioned in that and subsequent periods. 362 It is only at a later period that he seems to have assumed the full authority over the members of his family. As was the practice the Kutumba or the family induced the patriarch, his wife or wives, his un-married daughters, sons, their wives and grand-children. Since he was the head of the family, he had absolute power over the members. His wife was the mistress but was always obedient to the master. She looked after the house-hold duties. The family of the Brahmin named Virabhatta included his wife, son and daughter. He is mentioned as a Kutumbaka. 363 360. Nirnaya Sagar 10.1.83. 361. Ibid. 10.5.171. 362. Kapadia K.M. 'Marriage and Family in India', p.217, 218. 363. Nirnaya Sagar 12.11.88 During the age of Ramayana the family contained husband, wife, children, parents, daughterin-law and the guests, all, were called as Kutumbi; Shastra R. Op.cit., p.175.

368 Again the family of a certain Brahmin named Brahmadatta from Varanasi, who was living on an Agrahara village included his wife, two sons, and their wives, many servants and cattle. On this death they became poor and are said to have appointed two Brahmin boys to look 364 after their cattle. In the house of a certain Brahmin named Agnidatta there were also many cows, buffaloes and 366 horses. After the death of the father according to the taid down law of primogeniture, expressed by Manu, the eldest son 367 X/2101 alone became the heir to father's property. This attitude afterwards changed and the later Smritikar's recognise to the right of his brother to a share in the property of their father. Yadna valka was the first Smritikara who categorically recognised the daughter as heir fathers property. The later writers like Narada, Vidnyanesvara Vinnyanes and others in the field further justified it. During the period of Kathasaritsagara after the death of the father the eldest son used to become the family-head. It appears that brothers were entitled to equal shares of the family 367 A estate. 364.Nirnaya Sagar 17.1.93,94. 365.Ibid. 8.6.21. 366.Ibid. 6.7.37, 2.2.91, 18.4.273, 5.2.204,206. Op. Cit. 367.Kapadia K.M. Supp.237-238. 367 A.Nirnaya Sagar 10.6.172, 3.6.10.

369 Generally marriage seems to be monogamic but many Brahmanas were Diaganic c and polygamic; and the rich class, the king and his nobles were polygamous. Family Ties The father was like a god in ancient India. He was highly respected. Conjugal facilitaty and ideal relationship between husband and wife always formed a distinguished feature of ancient Hindu society. Sons and daughters used to bow at the feet of their parents and teachers and also received their blessings on various 368 occasions. A particular custom to kiss upon the head 369 (murdhniparichumbya) of the son before parting is mentioned. Children used to shampoo the feet of their parents. It is said that Hemaprabha used to shampoo the feet of her 370 father. The practice of bowing before the parents before 371 going to bed was also in vogue. We have a noble and sublime example of family affection and love in the story of the Brahmin named Viravara. His son and daugther came forward and are 372 said to have sacrificed their lives for him to his king. The love of the father for his daughter is reflected in the following incident. Madanalekha, the daughter of king 368. Nirnaya Sagar 7.1.162. 369. Ibid. 8.2.366. 370. Ibid. 10.10.157. 371. Ibid. 7.1.132. 372. Ibid. 9.3.291.

370 Virasena of Simhaladvipa was sitting on the lap of her father when she was introduced to the ambessador of king 373 Vikramaditya. We have many stories full of pathos and happiness which depict the deep love of the parents. towards their children. Udayana and Vasuvadatta, parents of Naravahanadatta as well as his teachers broke into tears when he set out on an auspicious moment to get the 374 magic sciences by propitiating Siva. The parents of the crown-prince Taravioka were moved when abdicated the he throne and after kissing their feet assumed the dress 375 of bark and went to the forest. Respect was shown to elderly persons by falling at their feet (padavanamuam), by bowing before them or offering them Arghaya; and respect to ladies was shown Arghaya 376 by bowing before them. Ladies were addressed by men with their eyes down-cast. 377 An auspicious day or a moment (prasthanamangala) was selected before proceeding on a distant journey. journey 1/8 vogage or an expedition (digvijaya) in case of a king. 373. Nirnaya Sagar 18.1.100. 374. Ibid. 14.3.76,77. 375. Ibid. 16.3.50,51. 376. Ibid. 3.1.129, 8.2.13, 7.1.132, 15.2.108,109, 12.34.37711. 377. Ibid. 4.2.86, 6.7.205. 378. Ibid. 10.1.72, 12.14.33.

371 379 Provisions for the journey were carried. A ceremony 380 known as prasthana mangala or rachitamangala was usually performed. It is said that his mother performed the ceremony to ensure good fortune (mangala) to Muktaphalaketu before he got out to particepate in the battle 381 against the Asuras. Sachi, the wife of Indra, also performed for him the usual ceremony to ensure good fortune. It is also said that his mother-in-law performed the auspicious ceremony before Naravahanadatta started from 383 the Vidyadhara capital. On the safe arrival of a relation from a distant journey relatives and friends were invited and entertained to food, wine, music, dancing and other lumturies. It Mahoschoha Vam was called a 'Mahoschcha-Vam'. Members embraced each other and the feet of elderly persons were immediately touched as a token of respect. Vasudatta on entering 385 his house fell at the feet of his father. The merchant Mahadhana gave a grand feast to celebrate the safe arrival 386 of his son Vasudatta back to Vallabhi. A feast was given by Jeemutaketu for the safe arrival of his son from by Joemu takety 7 foreign travel. 379. Nirnaya Sagar 6.1.185. 380. Ibid. 15.1.33. 381. Ibid. 17.3.10. 382. Ibid. 17.2.156. 383. Ibid. 7.1.160.1. 384. Ibid. 12.34.377.1, 15.2.108,109, 14.3.51. 385. Ibid. 4.2.130. 386. Ibid. 4.2.132. 387. Ibid. 4.2.70.

372 In case of a safe return of members of the royal family after they were victorious in battle or had returned after a long absence from the capital, great 388 sl✓ Ken rejoicings were held. It was called a "Mahoschchavam" In it, flags were displayed delicious and heavy royal feast was arranged and beautiful maidens danced. It is said that queen Tejavita and her subjects celebrated a Mahoschchavam on the arrival of the king safely to his capital. Rows of s] in flags were displayed and the 389 festival continued till the end of the day. On another such occasion when Pralhada entertained Suryaprabha a dance programme of the maidens of the Daityas and Danavas was arranged following a heavy royal feast. The maidews had tilaka on their fore-head, anklets on feet and smile 390 on their faces. Garden parties to show eternal friendship were also arranged. Such a garden-party with their families was arranged by the gamblers of Lata as a token of eternal friendship between them and Bhimabhatta. In it food, wine 391 and other luxuries were supplied. 388. Nirnaya Sagar 8.1.130, 9.5.19. 389. Ibid. 3.4.121,122. 390. Ibid. 8.2.234. 391. Ibid. 12.7.152.

Hospitality 373 Brahmanas performed sacrifices in the house and e 392 many Brahmanas were entertained on the occasion with sweet dish of rice boild in milk with ghee and sugar. A guest (atfithe) was respectfully entertained. He was 393 welcomed wit with palms folded above the head. His feet were washed by the attendants. Bath unguents, robes, ornaments and various kinds of food was given to him. 394 A belief that hospitality will bear its fruit in this world 395 seem to have existed in those days. It is mentioned that Jeevadatt the feet of Jeevadatta were washed by the attendants 396 (athithe) 397 of Priyadatta. Again it is said that the guest (athithe) Gunesharman was honoured by Agnidatta with bath, unguents, robes, ornaments and with various kinds of food. Also Madanamala is said to have entertained King Vikramaditya with costly baths, flowers, perfumes, garments and 398 ornaments. Learned Brahmanas were also fed and honoured. 399 Wicked Mother-in-Law The wicked mother-in-law is also mentioned. She has been called a 'Kutila' and compared to a she-wolf who 392. Nirnaya Sagar 12.20.35,39. 393. Ibid. 8.7.142. 394. Ibid. 7.9.203, 18.1.33. 395. Ibid. 8.4.7. 396. Ibid. 9.2.224-226. 397. Ibid. 8.6.202. 398. Ibid. 7.4.31. 399. Ibid. 9.6.118-119. 3.3.92.

374 400 eats the flesh of a sheep. Non-coperation, mental and physical torture, solitary confinement in a celler and even beating are the methods used by the wicked mother- de in-laws mentioned in many a stories from the Kathasaritsagara It is said that the wicked mother-in-law of Kirtisena used to ill-treat her by the above methods in the abence of her 401 husband. It is also mentioned that the second wife of a certain Brahmin named Vasudatta committed suicide because 402 of the harrassment by her mother-in-law. Certain traditions probably existed in the families. One such oral-tradition, about the secrettreasure, as decending through the mother-in-law in the 403 house of one Devadasa is mentioned.