Mangalasutra.pdf

Mangalasutra

A mangalsutra (also mangala sutra or mangalasutra) is an Indian symbol

of Hindu marriage, consisting of a gold ornament strung from a yellow thread,

a string of black beads or a gold chain. It is comparable to a Western wedding

ring, and is worn by a married woman until her husband's death.

Mangalsutra is one such symbol of marriage. It is not just a jewelry item it

has lots of significance to an Indian married woman. It is a sacred thread of

love and goodwill worn by married women as a symbol of their marriage.

The groom ties it around the neck of the bride on the day of their marriage

signifying their union. It is known by different names in different states of the

country.

According to Hindu culture, there are five signs of marital status of women.

They are mangalsutra, Toe rings, Kumkum, bangles and a nose ring.

Mangalsutra is the most important among them.

The word mangalsutra means an auspicious thread or cord. It is also called

µɏ¹½ Ǵ ļ (Marathi: µ·Ⱦ¨Ɂ) or funv-thaali (Kannada: ¼ŗ) or

thaaly or maangalyam ( Kannada : ÅOa{ê)

in Kannada,Tamil and thaali/maangalyam/mangalsutram/pustelu in Telugu

in Southern India.It is probably passed from South India to North India.

Mangalsutra are made in numerous designs. If a marriage is arranged, the

pattern is usually chosen by the groom's family according to their customs.

Gujaratis and Marwaris often go for a diamond pendant. Maharashtrians wear

a pendant of one or two vatis. Bengalis often have coral added to the design.

Mangalya dharanam (literally "wearing the mangalya") is the most important

part of a Hindu marriage ceremony. The mangalya is strung on a yellow

thread prepared by using Turmeric paste. It is tied around the bride's neck

with three knots. In some families, the groom ties the first and his sisters tie

the rest. Later the mangalya may be restrung on some auspicious days.

Maangalya dhaaraNam - part-8 Untying the Maangalya rahasyam!

The marriage ceremonies are almost identical throughout India from Kashmir

to Tamilnadu. The Vedic marriage has held its sway almost on all geographic

regions. The exchange of garland (var maala), kanya daan, paNigrahaNa and

sapta padi are common everywhere. But Maangalya dharanam has found a

place in the South of Vindhyas.

Some sects of Gujarath and Maharashtra follow this ritual. It is found in some

sects in Karnataka and Andhra too, but more widespread in Kerala and

Tamilnadu.

The Kerala customs are shocking to some extent. In some sects the father

himself ties the mangal sutra to his daughter before she is taken to the

marriage mantap. In many other sects, particularly in non-brahmin

sects, kettu-kalyanam had been prevalent until recently. The thaali was

merely symbolic of a mock marriage so that even if a severe vaidhavya

yoga were to afflict the girl, she would lose her mock husband and not the

one with whom she would be living!

The increasing incidence of misfortunes in marriage and premature

widowhood must have given rise to this trend. The prevalence of tantric and

maandrik followers in Kerala who were also well versed in astrology give

credence to the opinion that Kerala could have been the forerunner in

introducing the Thaali concept.

The astrologer Îcum- priest possessed the authority to conduct the marriage

ceremonies with some modifications. But such practices

can not be included just like that. Unless there is near unanimous concurrence

among the priests of those times Î or debated for quite a few generations,

this feature could not have been included.To think about it, in today's

marriages, some changes are happening. But they are not about addition of

some compulsory feature in the ritual based or Vedic based events of the

marriage. One notable addition of these days is making the couple pose as

married ones in the 'Reception' in the previous day - even before they become

man and wife. But this is a non-ritual and mostly for social convenience.

There are instances of omission too Î only in the case of inter caste marriages

when customs of both families are mixed. There may be omissions of some

parts of Vedic marriage due to non-application of it to one of the families (of a

different varna) but there has never been any addition. In the modern set-up,

in the wake of increasing incidence of inter caste marriages, the Purohits may

be compelled to follow some features only. It is also possible that these

modified portions of marriage may become permanent in the years to come.

But in the past, such compulsions were not there.

Almost all sections of the public respected the customs and traditions related

to marriage and there was least scope for changing the rituals in those days Î

unless otherwise decided by the Purohits themselves. The Purohits were

trained exclusively in Vedic, sastric and tradition bound practices. In an

atmosphere of increased chances for threat to life due to constant wars,

invasions, diseases and pathetic state of living for widows, there is scope to

believe that astrologers played a vital role in averting such misfortunes.

The Mangalya Îsutra Tradition

The planetary ills and mangal dosha had become centre points of debate and

every kind of remedial could have been devised. But times were such that

even learned ones would not invent something from out of the blue and

impose it. Vedas and age old practices were respected in those days.

So any additional feature such as Maangalya dharanam must have some Vedic

acceptance.

This additional feature can not be introduced unless authorized by highly

respected Vediks.

The Taittriya vachan "yE tatthra BrahmaNa: sammarchina:È" is a respected

injunction even today. According to this any modification in custom Î of

course without damaging the main import of it - can be done only with the

concurrence of or at the advice of a learned vEdik who is upright, unselfish

and not directed by cruel intentions.

Such highly placed Brahmin priests who also happened to be well versed in

Jyothisha could have introduced Mangalya dharanam and it could have gained

wider acceptance gradually over the generations. (in fact almost all the rishis

of Vedas were astrologers whose theories only were re-written concisely by

later day astrologers for easy learning and propagation. From the four-faced

Brahma onwards there are nearly 22 maharishis revered as Jyothisha

pravarthakas by astrologers even as early as 2000 years ago. ) This could

have happened any time during the 13 th , 14 th and 15 th centuries. That was the

time, lot of activities were happening in the area of marriage related issues,

in formulating vibahadhi muhurthas and in averting misfortunes in marriages.

There are evidences of debates among scholar- astrologers. New jyothisha

books were coming up - most of which are the basis of what we follow today

in marriage related issues.

The Vedic authentication for Maangalya dharanam is found in the famous Rig

vedic hymn on Surya's bridal.This hymn is the basis of the Vivaha manthras.

After invoking the blessings of Soma, Gandharva and Agni to confer strength,

beauty and youth to the bride, the ceremony of Mangalya dharanam begins.

This is supported by the 40 th and 41th verse of this Rig vedic hymn. The

42 nd verse asks for non-separation and life of 100 years!

This is exactly what the Mangalya dharanam manthra asks for.

The astrologers who found a necessity to incorporate some elements in

marriage could have made Mangal sutra a symbol of protection against

Mangal dosha, a sutra or thread that protects the man, that pulls him from the

clutches of Yama's rope.The inclusion of Rajju (rope) factor in marriage-

poruttham is an indicator.Calling that poruttaham as 'Rajju' says it all!

A typical rajju-like thaaali with 'thaalam' (leaf) acts as the amulet!

The Surya kunda and Soma kunda had been traditionally regarded as

facilitators for auspicious life.So the Surya- factor was incorporated by the

brownish red thread (used in many sects).And the moon Îfactor was

incorporated as the white sari as wedding sari in many sects.

The mangal dosha was warded off by the now famous Mangalya verse.

While tying this sacred thread, the groom says that the thread is responsible

for his life.He is tying it around her neck so that they live for a hundred years.

There are two versions of this verse.

mAngalyam tantunAnEna mama jIvana hEtunA |

kaNThE badhnAmi subhagE tvam jIva SaradAm Satam ||

In this it is said,

"This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around

your neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes! May you live happily

for a hundred years!"

But the 'tvam jiva' is replaced by 'sajjiva' in some places, particularly in

Tamilnadu.The way the sloka is used in TN is

mAngalyam tantunAnEna mama jIvana hEtunA |

kaNThE badhnAmi subhagE sajIva SaradAh Satam//

So that, we may live for a 100 years.In this version, full life of 100 years for

both is prayed.The earlier version seems to have an implied meaning of the

wife losing her life once the husband dies (sati?).The 'tying' of 'something' is

already a concept followed in marriages everywhere. In every sect of North

India, the union of the couple is symbolically indicated by the tying of their

garments. With this knot or'mudicchu' they would go round the Agni and

make the marriage vow. In some sects the wrists were tied.

This symbolism was incorporated in the Mangal sutra. By tying the sacred

thread, the groom signals a union of the two. Here the Mangal connection is

not just that of a Graha. All the grahas or planets are connected to 3 stars

each. As such 27 stars of the zodiac are linked to 9 planets. The important

feature is that these stars are lorded by Vedic Gods only. Every Vedic God

mentioned in the Hymn on vivaha manthras is the lord of some star of the

zodiac which controls the planets.

The prayer for 100 years Î the veda praayam nooru Î is something granted by

the Sun God. He grants this to the one who never misses theMadhyaniha

vandana! The Sun grants a life of 100 years to the one who worships Him in

sandhya vandana. The same 100 years are prayed for in the Mangal sutra.

That means Mars, the friend of Sun, who also happens to be the Commander-

in- chief for the Sun, the King of the zodiac (who exalts in the Martian sign of

Aries from where He begins his journey with Ashwin Devas bestowing health

Î this is told in the Rig hymn too) also is authorized to grant a 100 year

longevity!

Now the next issue is why a sutra around the neck?

Is there any precedence for this?

Yes there is a precedence.

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: