Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India.djvu/399


 * Varuna — Prachethas, Apāmpathi, Swarūpinam.


 * Sōman — Indum, Nisākaram, Ōshadisam.

Nine kinds of grains soaked in water are placed in the seed-pans. These grains are Dolickos Lablab (two varieties), Phaseolus Mungo (two varieties), Oryza saliva, Cicer Arietinum, Cajanus indicus, Eleusine Coracana, and Vigna Catiang. The tying of the wrist-thread (pratisaram) is next proceeded with. Two cotton threads are laid on a vessel representing Varuna. After the recitation of Vēdic verses, the bridegroom takes one of the threads, and, dipping it in turmeric paste, holds it with his left thumb, smears some of the paste on it with his right thumb and forefinger, and ties it on the left wrist of the bride. The purōhit ties the other thread on the right wrist of the bridegroom, who, facing the assembly, says " I am going to take the bride." He then recites the following Vēdic verse: — "Go to my future father-in-law with due precautions, and mingle with the members of his family. This marriage is sure to be pleasing to Indra, because he gets oblations of food, etc., after the marriage. May your path be smooth and free from thorns. May Sūrya and Bhaga promote our dhāmpathyam (companionship)."

The purōhit again proclaims the marriage, and the gōtras and names of three generations are repeated. Those assembled then bless the couple. The bride's father says that he is prepared to give his daughter in marriage to the bridegroom, who states that he accepts her. The father of the bride washes the feet of the bridegroom placed on a tray with milk and water. The bridegroom then washes the feet of the bride's father. The bride sits in her father's lap, and her mother stands at her side. The father, repeating the names of the bridegroom's ancestors for three generations, says