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From: nataraj@hou2d.UUCP (A.NATARAJAN)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india
Subject: More thoughts on Dowry
Message-ID: <770@hou2d.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Oct-85 13:23:52 EDT
Article-I.D.: hou2d.770
Posted: Wed Oct 16 13:23:52 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 18-Oct-85 00:06:44 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 32

On the subject of dowry, some one asked for a
definition. The word "dowry" is defined in English
as money or property brought by a bride to her husband
at the time of her marriage. It is perhaps derived from the Anglo-Norman
usage "dowerie" bearing a similar meaning. The introduction
of dowry in Hindu marriages is an unfortunate mutation of another
practice. As per Vedic Hindu marriage rites,
the bride "kanyaa" is given away
as "daan" to the groom "vara" and the
process is called "kanyaa daan". It is customary
to offer a "dakshina" whenever any "daan"
is given.
As such the groom "Vara" is given a "dakshina" called
"vara-dakshina". The appropriate amount would be of the
order of less than a US dollar, and it is "given" voluntarily
rather than asked for by the groom. This practice underwent a
mutation into the obscene practice of large "dowries".
Kaanchi Kaamakoti Sankaraachaarya Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati
is on record saying that he is so much opposed to the
practice of the modern day "dowry" that he would not want his
name or blessings to be invoked in the invitation cards or
proceedings of weddings that involve the taking of dowry.
Inspite of such a clarion call from him, his followers still
take
dowries. As some one remarked on the net, the  one good way to eradicate
this practice is to brand the practice as unfashionable or
uncultured and make it a social taboo by the educated groups.
However, I do not see it as wrong in giving wedding gifts etc. as long
as the gifts are appropriate for the occasion and given voluntarily.

......A. Natarajan (....ihnp4!hou2d!nataraj)
                            201-949 9673