Varapreshana, Vara-preshana, Varapreṣaṇa: 1 definition

Introduction:

Varapreshana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Varapreṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Varapresana or Varapreshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: archive.org: History of Dharmasastra (Vol II Part I)

Varapreśana (वरप्रेशन) [=varapreṣaṇa?] refers to “sending persons to negotiate for the hand of the girl” and represents one of the various Marriage Rites (saṃskāra) outlined in the Gṛhya-sūtras.—The main outlines of the marriage saṃskāra show a remarkable continuity for several thousand years from the times of the Rig Veda down to modern times.—Varapreśana refers to “sending persons to negotiate for the hand of the girl”. The ancient custom seems to have been to send some person or persons (Ṛgveda X.85.8-9) to the father of the girl for asking her in marriage. The same was the practice in the Sūtras. Even in medieval times, particularly among kṣatriyas, the bride-groom was the first to seek for the hand of a girl. In modern times among the brāhmaṇas and many other castes, the girl’s father has to seek a bride-groom, though among the śūdras and several other castes the old practice is retained.—[Vide Saṅkhyāyana-gṛhya-sūtra I.6.1-4 (where Ṛgveda X.85.23 is the mantra recited when sending them), Baudhāyana-gṛhya-sūtra I.1.14-15, Āpastamba-gṛhya-sūtra II.16 and IV.1-2 and 7]

Dharmashastra book cover
context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

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