﻿OF THE HINDUS, &C. Q9^ 



sat r " God the existent !" and after repeating at 

 full length tlie names and designations of tlie bride- 

 groom, of the bride, and of himself; and then so- 

 lemnly declaring, " I give unto thee tliis damsel 

 adorned with jewels, and protected by the lord of 

 creatures." The bridegroom replies, "wellbeit!" 

 The bride's father afterwards gives him a piece of 

 gold, saying, " I this day give thee this gold, as a 

 fee for the purpose of completing the solemn dona- 

 tion made by me." The bridegroom again says, 

 " well be it!" and then recites^this text: " Who 

 gave her ? to M^hom did he give he?^-9 Love (or free 

 consent) gave her. To love he gave her. Love 

 was the giver. Love was the taker. Love ! may 

 this be thine! with love may I enjoy her T The 

 close of the text is thus varied in the Sdmaveda : 

 " Love has pervaded the ocean. With love I ac- 

 cept her. Love! may this be thine." In the com- 

 mon rituals another prayer is directed to be likewise 

 recited immediately after tluis formally accepting 

 the bride. " May the ethereal element give thee. 

 May earth accept thee.'' 



Being thus affianced, the bride and bridegroom 

 then walk forth, while he thus addresses her: *' May 

 the regents of space, may air, the sun, and fire, 

 dispel that anxiety, which thou fcelest in thy mind ; 

 and turn thy heart to me." He proceeds thus, 

 while they look at each other: " Be gentle in thy 

 aspect, and loyal to thy husband ; be fortunate in 

 cattle, amiable in thy mind, and beautiful in thy 

 person: be mother of valiant sons ; be fond of de- 

 lights ; be ciieerful ; and bring prosperity to our 

 bipeds and quadrupeds. First [in a former birth] 

 Soma received thee ; a celestial quiristcr next ob- 

 tained thee ; [in successive transmigrations] the re- 

 gent of fire was thy third husband; thy fourth is a 

 human being. Soma gave her to a celestial quiris- 

 ter ; the Gandharba gave her to the regent of fire ; 

 fire gave her to me: with her he has given me 



U 4 wealth 



