[Advaita-l] On sagotra Marriages

[Rajaram Venkataramani]

there is no evidence to suggest that prohibition of sagotra marriages is a
rule derived based on experience in a particular context. it is based on the
belief that all humans are descendants of one or the other rishi. the
descendants of the same rishi should not marry just as siblings don't. we
cannot change it. now if there is love marriage, then we have no option but
why should divine sastras be changed for human love? in such cases, the
concerned couple should at least not marry according to vaidhika procedures
as a mark of respect for sastras.

On Sun, Jun 19, 2011 at 7:04 AM, Anand Jammalamadaka <
satchitjammalamadaka at gmail.com> wrote:

> While  we keep quoting several Nishedhas on sub marriages , we need to go
> behind the such strictures to understand the spirit behind the same. Quite
> often We quote rules of smrities sastras  to justify interpretations
> arrived
> ages ago ( but relevant for those times ) without allowing  room for
> dynamic
> interpretations , which in fact are implied in the basic formulation of
> such
> directions .
>
>  There are certain laid down rules as per smritis  which do not allow for
> flexibility with the passage of times. They should be adhered to,
> strictly.There are others which are inherently made flexible to
> appropriately suit changing times within overall  boundaries of Dharma
> aacharana.
>
>    Prohibition of Sagotra marriages is one such rule allowing for
> flexibility.Basically there were sagotra marriages performed as families
> were restricted to Agraharas and there was not much of movement from place
> to place. Sagotra marriages were causing both mental and physical damage to
> the offspring. This was realised and then sagotra marriages were
> prohibited.
>  However over a period of time  people( of same gotra -say ) started to
> migrate to far off places. For example a family with Gotra Kaundinya in
> Vizag can not link with a family of Kaundina in Guntur even after going
> back
> in to the past( say- five to six generations) . The basic presumption for
> prohibiting sagotra marriage may not hold good in the above case. It may be
> noted that this concept of generations is taken up by ancestors for
> allowing
> other type of marriages( Sapinda.. ) . If this is so it is more than
> possible to permit Sagotra marriages by applying this concept of looking
> back for three or more generations .
>  It is high time that we do away with static interpretation of certain
> principles, Dharmas when inherently they imply flexible applications with
> changing times.
> May be  we discuss sub item in true spirit without resorting to quoting
> scriptures and others but based on related scientific principles.
>
> -Satchit Anand Sastry
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