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consanguineous marriage tradition

Updated on May 31, 2019 in General
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7 on May 27, 2019

Dear Swamis,

I have a very mundane question to ask.

Is it sastric to my marry once own niece? Though we can argue that Gotram is different, wouldn’t maternal uncle be an equivalent to father?

Though such a practice is reducing now, my mind is questioning the basis for such a tradition.

We follow a tradition which is approved either by Sruti, Smriti, or Itihasam? Do any of these scriptures sanction such a practice?

It is unfair to expect Velukkudi Swami to answer such a petty question, in my opinion. 

Can others shed some light?

Regards,

Srivats

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vikraminside 0 on May 28, 2019

Srimathe Rangaramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Adiyen is here for any supposed petty questions.

My mother married maternal uncle i.e. my father. So yes it is accepted by shastram as elders followed their elders.

But present doctors do say it results in anomalies in child like deaf & dumb. Adiyen had such sister who died in fire accident during age of marriage

So scientifically incorrect as per today’s standards may be but traditionally correct adiyen opine

Dasanudasan

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srivats 5 on May 28, 2019

Thanks, Vikram Swami.

While we do find some references to cross-cousin marriages in itihaasam, I could not identify instances of niece marrying maatulan with my very limited knowledge. 

Since such a practice is prevalent in certain communities and geographic regions, I was wondering if it is merely an influence of those communities/regions but doesn’t have a sastric endorsement.

In the northern part of India (by and large), even cross-cousin marriages are frowned upon stating that the relationship comes under sapindam (from the same lineage 3 degrees of separation from female side and 5 degrees of separation from the male side is the minimum recommended degree for considering marriage alliances).

Even if we discount (only an assumption) sruti, smriti, and itihaasam, do we at least have sishtaachaaram (great personalities/champions within our sampradayam) to follow such a practice?

Adiyen,

Srivats

 

srivats on May 28, 2019

Just occurred to me, even the relationship is called maama and marumakal (equivalent to daughter).

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vikraminside on May 31, 2019

Honestly therila Swamy. Only Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy can answer.

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கம்பன்தாசன் on May 31, 2019

The only example that comes to my memory is Lord Krishna and Nappinai Thayar. Let us wait for Swamy or someone who knows on this topic to answer us.

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கம்பன்தாசன் on May 31, 2019

Oh sorry. That example is also a cousin relationship; not mama-niece relationship!

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srivats on May 31, 2019

Thanks, Swami.

Interestingly, Nappinnai piratti is not a direct cousin to Shri Krishna. She is Yashoda’s brother’s daughter, as I understand. But yes, there are other examples like Arjuna-Subhadra that proves the existence of cross-cousin marriages (though I do not really know if it was all beyond the Sapinda degree mentioned in my earlier thread).

But none to prove Maama-Marumakal marrying tradition. 

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