Full analysis of child marriage and Pedophilia in Hinduism.
Let's see some famous quotes used by critics to prove child marriage & pedophilia in Hinduism:-
2) Mahabharata 13.44.14 "A person of thirty years of age should wed a girl of ten years of age called a Nagnika. Or, a person of one and twenty years of age should wed a girl of seven years of age"
3) Baudhayana Dharma sutra 4/1/11 "Let him give his daughter, while she still goes naked, let him not keep (the maiden) in (his house) after she has reached the age of puberty"
4) Vashishtha Dharmasutra 17.70 "They quote the following:—“Out of fear of the appearance of menses, let the father marry his daughter while she still goes about naked; for if she stays in the house after the age of puberty, sin falls upon the father.”
5) Yajnavalkya smriti 1.64 ‘If one does not give away the girl in marriage before menstruation, he incurs the guilt of ki1ling an embryo, at each of her menstrual periods."
6) Gautama Dharmasutra 18.21-23 "A girl should be given in marriage before (she attains the age of) puberty. He who neglects it, commits sin. Some (declare, that a girl shall be given in marriage) before she wears clothes."
7) Parashar smriti 7.5-6 "The mother, and the father, and likewise the eldest brother, all these three relatives will go to hell, if before menstruation they neglect to marry the girl."
8) Padma Purana VI.118.2-15 "... A man should marry his daughter as long as she has not attained puberty. Wise men recommend a girl’s marriage when she is eight years old"
9) Brihaspati smriti 24.3 "If the father does not marry before during her menstruation or if a Husband does't have intercourse with her during her periods they become legally reprehensible and deserving of punishment."
10) Vyasa Samhita 2.7 “... He, who does not give away a daughter in marriage before she attains puberty, becomes degraded.”
Pedophilia:-
Intercourse after first menstruation is compulsory in Hinduism.
Baudhyana Dharmasutra 4.1.21-22 "Husband who doesn't have intercourse with his wife after her menstruation commits sin, a wife who rejects husband advancements should be cast out from the village"
Most of the grhyasutras prescribe that the married couple should be celibate for atleast three nights after marriage(if not for a longer period)
In most of the grhyasutras there is a rite called 'caturthi-karma' (rite on 4th day after marriage ).
Vide Gobhila Grhyasutra 2.5, Sankhyana grhyasutra 1,18-19, Khadira grhyasutra.1.4.12-16, Parasara grhyasutra 1.11, Apastamba grhyasutra 8.10-11, Hiranyakeshi grhyasutra 1.23-24. Intercourse with wife on 4th day is thus compulsory rite.
Rebuttal:- The Samskara-prakasa expressly says that there is no prohibition against marrying a girl who has passed the age of puberty for ksatriyas and others.
Similarly Vaikhanasa (VI.12)requires a brahmana bride to be a nagnika or gauri, but does not prescribe the same qualification for a ksatriya or vaisya bride.
So we can conclude The custom of pre-puberty marriages were mostly common among the Brahmanas alone in the beginning.
Will Discuss about the term Nagnika & Gauri later in our article.
Regarding the first claim of Manusmriti 9.94 a very similar verse is repeat in Vishnu Purana 3.10.16 also which says "A man should marry a girl 1/3rd of his age"
But let clarify this Statement, here the commentator Medhatithi Himself clarified that injunction of 9.94
So here it is crystal clear Traditional commentators didn't took the mentioned verse literally....The verse of Manu actually suggested that the wife must be younger than husband, and not that marriage must be done only at the age stated.
Medhatith's interpretation also supported by other Scriptural references like
Kamasutra (3.1.2)recommends that she must be younger than the bride groom by at least three years.
Angirasa says:-
Kamasutra of Vatsyayan and Angirasa would never state such thing if everyone in society interpret the injunction of Manusmriti 9.94 literally.
Moreover again Sushruta Samhita sharir adhyay also commands that 25 year old Hindu man should marry 12 year old girl.
In the Mahabharata Gautama is prepared to give his daughter in marriage to Uttanka if he could be a youth of 16 years.
(Mahabharata Asvamedha Parva 56.22-23)
In Mahabharata Salyaparva chapter 52:- we have the story of a girl, daughter of Kuni Garga, who practised severe penance till she reached old age and yet was told by Narada that if she died unmarried she would not goto heaven. The woman induced Srngava to the Galava family for a day previous to her death to marry her by the promise of giving him half of her merit(punya).
Very old man(like 50/60yrs) marrying a very young girl is never glorified in Hinduism :-
An old man marrying a young maiden is never glorified or praised in Hinduism It is clear from the verses of Mahabharata (Sabha Parva 64.14 and Vanaparva 5.15) uses the simile of a maiden not liking a husband of 60 years.
Mahabharata Sabha Parva 64.14:-
Mahabharata Vanaparva 5.15:-
Use this to counter the claims of Mlecchas.
Understand social view point to understand child marriage:-
[A man was to marry after he had finished his Vedic studies; but the period of Vedic study was fluctuating (i. e. it could be 12, 24, 36, 48 years or as much time as was necessary to master one Veda or a portion of it. He also could remain celibate all his life). Usually twelve years were devoted to brahmacarya in ancient times and as upanayana ordinarily took place in the 8th year (for brahmanas) as prescribed by Manusmriti a man would ordinarily be 20 years old or more at the time of marriage. It is therefore that Manu(9.94) remarks that a man of thirty may marry a girl of twelve years or a man of 24 who is in a hurry to become a house-holder may marry a girl of eight. Further, since marriage came to be looked upon as the upanayana in the case of women, naturally the age Tor upanayana(8th year) came to be looked upon as the proper age for marriage.]
Marriage age in Vedas:-
In the Rigveda there are no clear statements about the exact age when girls were married. But there are indications that many girls were married at a sufficiently mature age(atleast they were not married at the tender age of eight).
One of the benevolent deeds of the Asvins is that they bestowed a husband on Ghosa who was growing old in her father's house. Rigveda 1.117.7
Check Rigveda 2.17.7:-
अ॒मा॒जूरि॑व पि॒त्रोः सचा॑ स॒ती स॑मा॒नादा सद॑स॒स्त्वामि॑ये॒ भग॑म् । कृ॒धि प्र॑के॒तमुप॑ मा॒स्या भ॑र द॒द्धि भा॒गं त॒न्वो॒३॒॑ येन॑ मा॒मह॑: ॥
अमाजूरिव पित्रोः सचा सती समानादा सदसस्त्वामिये भगम् । कृधि प्रकेतमुप मास्या भर दद्धि भागं तन्वो येन मामहः ॥
“As a virtuous (maiden), growing old in the same dwelling with her parents, (claims from them her support), so come I to you for wealth; make it conspicuous, measure it, bring it (hither), grant (a sufficient) portion for my bodily sustenance, (such as that) wherewith you honour (your worshippers).” –Translated by H.H Wilson
In Rg.10.27.12 it is said "when a bride is fine looking and well adorned, she by herself seeks her friend from among men". That shows that girls were grown-up enough to select their husbands.
Similarly Rig Veda 9.56.3:- “The ten fingers commend you, Soma, as a maiden her lover, you are cleansed in order to bestow (wealth on us).”
Some of the verses in the marriage hymn (such as Rig-veda.10.85.26-27 & 46)indicate ma that married girls could not have been child-wives, but must have been grown-up. They were expressly described as blooming with youth and pining for a husband.(Rig-veda 10.85.22)
A hope is expressed that the bride would forth with take over the reigns of the household from her parents-in-law-.(Rig-veda 10.85.46)
In one case we have the reference to a maiden pining for a husband approaching a youth anxious for a wife.(Atharvaveda 2.30.5)
"Seeking a husband she hath come! and I came longing for a wife:
Even as a loudly-neighing steed may fate and fortune have I met." –Griffith Translation
Here is a Hindi translation of that above verse by Dr. Ganga Sahay Sharma
In Atharva veda 2.36 which is a charm to secure a husband for a marriageable girl there also it clarifies maiden choose their husband whom their heart desires:-
The two verses Rigveda.1.126. 6-7 (which are rather too naive) indicate that girls were married before they had attained puberty.
In the Chandogya Upanishad 1.10.1
Usasti Cakrayana is described as dwelling in the Kuru country with his wife, who is said to have been 'ātakī' which Samkara explains as 'a mere undeveloped girl'.
Madhvacharya's interpretation is also similar like Adi Shankaracharya
On the whole one may conclude that in the Vedic period girls were probably married at any age (either before puberty or after puberty) and sometimes remained spinsters all their life.
post-puberty marriage:-
Moreover Manu (9.89-90) goes so far as to say:- A maiden may rather stay in her father's house even till her death, though she may have attained puberty ; but the father should never give her too newho is devoid of good qualities.
Medhatithi also clarified the verse:-
More Similar verses :-
Vaśiṣṭha (17.67-68).—‘A maiden who has attained puberty shall wait for three years;—after three years, she may herself take a husband of equal caste.’
Baudhāyana (4.10.14) says.—‘Three years let a marriageable damsel wait for the order of her father. But after that time, let her choose for herself, in the fourth year, a husband of the same caste. If no one of equal rank is to be found, she may take even one destitute of good qualities.’
Gautama (18-20).—‘A marriageable maiden who is not given in marriage shall allow three monthly periods to pass, and afterwards unite herself, of her own will, to a blameless man, giving up the ornaments received from her father or his family.’
Viṣṇusmriti (24.40).—‘When she has allowed three monthly periods to pass without being married, let her choose a husband for herself; three monthly periods having passed, she has, in every case, full power to dispose of herself as she thinks best.’
Nāradasmriti (12.22-23).—‘If no such person be in existence as should marry her, let the maiden approach the King, and let her, with his permission, betake herself to a bridegroom of her own choice, who belongs to her own caste, and is a suitable match in point of descent, morality, age and sacred learning. Let her discharge her religious duties in common with him, and bear children to him.’
Kautilya, Arthasashtra (4.12):-
There is In some of the grhya sutras and smritis a slight prayascitta (purificatory ceremony) is prescribed if the bride has menstruation during the progress of the marriage ceremonies.
Similar verse like above is there in Mahabharata Anusasana parva 44.16 as well Where Bhisma said to Yudhishthira:-
"After the appearance of puberty, the girl (if not married) should wait for three years. On the fourth year, she should look for a husband herself (without waiting any longer for her kinsmen to select one for her). The offspring of such a girl do not lose their respectability, nor does union with such a girl become disgraceful."
#Note:- Post-puberty marriages wasn't disgraceful at all as per Bhisma's words.
In Mahabharata Pativrata-mahatmya Parva, Savitri's father king Asvapati said to Savitri choose her husband by herself, after she attained puberty.
Hindu society was never very strict regarding marriage age:-
Kamasutra, presupposes the existence of both the post-puberty and pre-puberty marriages (III, 2-4).
The stories in the Kathasaritmgara, which depict the social life of about that time, refer both to child marriages brought about by parents and to love marriages arranged by the parties themselves (Chaps.24, 124).
Post-puberty marriages continued as local customs also in some of the areas. This, for example, is the case in Malbar to the present day.
A 15th century commentator observes that among the people of this province, the attainment of puberty before the marriage is not regarded as a blemish.
(Madhavachary Commentary on Parasara Smirti.,3.1, pg 19.)
We learn from Alberuni that during the 11th century A.D.
the normal age of a Brahmana bride was 12(II, p.131).
In the Harsacarita princess Rajyasri is described as quite grown-up at the time of her marriage which was consummated on the very day of marriage(vide the last para, of the 4th Ucchvasa)
The problem with the terms:-
The Vaikhanasa(VI.12) says that a brahmana should marry a brahmana girl who is a nagnika or gauri and defines nagnika as a girl over eight years but less than ten and gauri as one who is between ten and twelve and has not had menstruation.
Apararka(pg.85) quotes the Bhavisya purana to the effect that nagnika is one who is ten years old.
Parasarasmriti (VII.6-9) says:- a girl of eight is called gauri, but one who is nine years old is a rohini; one who is ten years old is a kanya; beyond this (i. e. after 10 years) she is a rajasvala.
If a person does not give away a maiden when she has reached her 12th year, his pitrs have to drink every month her menstrual discharge.
The parents and also the eldest brother go to hell on seeing (an unmarried) girl reaching the state of a 'rajasvala'. Parasara
Another point is that people often think that whatever the meaning of Nagnika but it is clear from all texts that it means pre-puberty girls or someone who just hit the puberty. But that is not the case here for examples:-
one Grihya Sutra lays it down that the nagnika brides should also be a virgin at the time of her weddings. Hiranyakeshi Grhya Sutra.,1.19.2
Such a requirement in the case of a girl of five/eight/nine/ten would be superfluous.
Commentator Matrdatta on Hiranyakeshi grhya sutra explains that nagnika means 'one whose menstrual period is near' i, e. one who is fit for intercourse.
As we know that the timing for sex with wife as per Scriptures is after mensuration period. So, here it means anyone whose menstrual period is near, no mention of age or anything.
Astavakra, the commentator of the Manava grhyasutra., explains nagnika as 'one who has not yet experienced the impulses and emotions of youth* or 'one who looks pretty even without clothes(taking the word along with 'srestham' that follows).
Reasons for such dichotomy is because:-
Such thing is also supported from a Skanda Purana story as well, there we find the story of phalavati the daughter of sage Jabali, who was cursed by his own father because of sex before marriage with her lover, but there she was described as a Nagnika, but the story of her and her lover Chitrangada, shows she couldn't be a 9 or 10 yr old kid.
Here in this verse of Skanda Purana where she described as Nagnika
Now see let's see the dialogue between Phalavati and her lover Chitrangada:-
After seeing Phalavati in forest Chitrangada fell in love, he asked her to introduce herself
Pedophilia:-
"Sages condemned intercourse even with one's wife before she attained puberty."
Marriage in Sanatan Dharma should not be equated with consummation as it is with other Abrahamic religions. Marriage is not Garbadhan(rite associated with conception).
The girl should be older than 16 for Garbadhan "अथास्मै पञ्चविंशतिवर्षाय षोडशदशवर्षां पत्नीमावहेक् {Sushrut/Shariasthan/ Chapter 10/40-44}"
Sushruta Samhita Chapter 10, pg.no.233 says :-
Charaka samhita also says for sexual intercourse a very young girl or very old woman, or a woman who is a chronic invalid, or one who is tainted with any other abnormality, should be eschewed as a partner. In the case of the man, too, these same are regarded as faults. Hence a man and a woman who are free from all defects should alone unite for procreation.
[Charaka samhita/Sharira Sthana/chapter 8-The Continuation of one’s Lineage (jatisutriya)]
This is also supported from other scriptures:- For example; Here describes about upcoming evils in Kali Yuga.
"With the advent of Kaliyuga Girls of ten and twelve become pregnant, and pious percept of Manu get lost."
Ref:- Skanda Purana 5.3.151.
Similar verse is there in Brahmavaivarta puran as well
#It clearly means earlier ages this thing wasn't happened and smritis opposed this things.
So, it is clear once again
Marriage ≠ consummation
Some may argue before conception sex for pleasure used to be done. For such arguments here is the answer:-
Sex for pleasure, in general, is forbidden by scripture, whether it's a Brahmin, whether the person is married or not.
From the Bhagavata Purana, 1.2.9-10:-
"Kama in its turn is not a call to indulgence in sexual pleasures, but a mere inducement implanted by the Creator to make life unbroken."
Baudhayana Sutra 3rd Skanda, 7th chapter, Shloka 2,:-
"One who does not have sex with his wife during her season, and one who has sex with her outside her season, as also one who deposits his semen in a place other than the vagina ––they all incur the same guilt."
Apastamba Sutra, Pratham Skanda, 19,15:-
"A man who ejaculates his semen in any place other than the vagina becomes equal to a thief, equal to a murderer of a Brahmin."
#So, from above statements it is clear sex for fun is prohibited, it should be done only for procreation.
Rishi Markandeya explained Yudhishthira about different kinds of Sins and their consequences, in there he said :-
"A person taking away water becomes gouty. A person stealing grain becomes a mouse. The Sruti says that one who ravishes an immature girl becomes a serpent."
Ref:- Skanda Purana Book 5 - Āvantya-khaṇḍa/section 3-Revā-khaṇḍa/ Chapter 159, verse 20
Here is the original Sanskrit verse as well
Check it by yourself in Sanskrit Dictionary what it means:-
The Laugaksi grhyasutra (19.2)says:- brahmacarya for girls lasts till the 10th or 12th year.
Such rule of celibacy of girls was unnecessary if pre-puberty sex is supported in Hinduism.
Remember even our Lord Krishna performed 12 years Brahmacharya immediate after their marriage Mahabharata sauptika parva12/30:-
immediately after getting married both Rukmini and krishna went to Badrikashrama(himalaya) and observed strict celibacy(brahmacharya) for 12 years n led a pious life there. They used to sleep on ground, ate only roots, tubers and fruits.Thereafter Rukhmini gave birth to the first child named Pradyumna.
The claim of the 4th day rite after marriage:-
Regarding the ritual called "caturthl-karma", The Vaikhanasa (3.9) calls this ceremony "rtusamgamana" and is similar to Apastamba grhyasutra and Hiranyakeshi grhyasutra.
Moreover this This rite is corresponds to the garbhadhana rite (e.g. Yājñavalkyasmriti 1.11).
As it is same as Garbhadana and I discussed earlier for Garbhadana girl must be 16 yrs old, otherwise it is harmful for both wife and the offspring.
Interesting point is the term "rtusamgamana". Now those who even know little about Hinduism they are familiar with the term. It is the time that is most auspicious for sexual intercourse for a woman with her husband. In ancient India certain days were prescribed as the best period for women to become pregnant. In Hinduism The sixteen days following menstruation are supposed to be good; but the first three days are not very good and it is advisable not to have sexual intercourse during those days. The next even days beginning with the fourth day (4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th) are the best days for coitus if a male issue (a son) is desired. The odd days (5th, 7th, 9th, 11th 13th, 15th) are to be preferred if a female issue (daughter) is desired. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 151).
But unfortunately Mlecchas connect this 4th day consummation rite into pedophilia, they try to claim that as because girls were married when they were 8yrs old, then after three nights during the fourth day husband had sex with his wife. But such interpretation of Mlecchas aren't right if we read it along with various sources which I cited above, As you see that rite is about sexual intercourse during the ritukaal of women for conception, As we see earlier post-puberty marriages were not a problem in society these rite of Garbhadana/Chaturthi-karma for pregnancy is valid in those cases where girl is already mature. It is nowhere explicitly mentioned that this rite should be done when a girl is just 8 or 9 yr old. Otherwise if such was the case then it would contradict many Scriptural injunctions which I shared above. So, such Interpretation is baseless, for conception (Garbhadana rite) girl must be atleast 16 yrs old.
Conclusion:- I end this discussion with a quote of Swami Vivekananda to know about marriage age in Hindu society.
"It is a fact that some Hindus marry very young. Others marry when they have attained a fair age and some do not marry at all. My grandfather was married when quite a child. My father when he was 14 years old and I am 30 years old and am not yet married."~Swami Vivekananda
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