Sutra 8

Devanagari script

सप्तार्तवप्रजातां वरणादूर्ध्वमलभमानः प्रकृत्य प्राकामी स्यात् न च पितुरवहीनं दद्यात् ॥ कZ_०४.१२.०८ ॥

Transliteration

saptārtava-prajātāṃ varaṇād ūrdhvam alabhamānaḥ prakṛtyā prākāmī syāt; na ca pitur avahīnaṃ dadyāt

Translation

If, after choosing (her), a man does not obtain a maiden who has begun menstruation and has reached seven menses, he is, by rule, treated as entitled (prākāmī). And he should not be made to give anything that diminishes what is due to the father (i.e., no improper deduction/withholding against the father).

Word by Word

सप्तseven

आर्तवmenstrual/seasonal (relating to menses/fertile period)

प्रजाताम्one who has borne (children); a woman who has produced offspring

वरणात्from the selection/acceptance (in marriage)

ऊर्ध्वम्thereafter; after that

अलभमानःnot obtaining; failing to get

प्रकृत्याby nature; naturally

प्राकामीoverly lustful; sexually uncontrolled

स्यात्would be; should be considered

नnot

चand

पितुःof the father

अवहीनम्not inferior; not less (than the father’s)

दद्यात्should give; should allot

Entities Mentioned

prospective groom

maiden/bride

father/guardian

FAQs

What administrative need does this rule serve?

It standardizes when a claim becomes legally cognizable after formal selection, reducing ambiguity and litigation in marriage disputes.

What does the clause about the father’s ‘avahīna’ indicate?

The state also tracks guardian/family economic interests and prevents opportunistic deductions or withholding that would undercut the father’s recognized stake.