Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

the goal of marriage is to enable a man

to offer to the gods and to beget a son

who will ensure the continuity of the

sacrifice. Woman was called ‘half of

man’, and the domestic sacrifices could

only be performed by husband and wife

jointly. A son, putra, is so called

because he pulls (tra) his parents out of

hell (pu). He is important not only for

the continuation of the family, but also

for the spiritual welfare of his parents

and ancestors in the world beyond. The

last rites can normally only be performed

by a male offspring (when no male rela-

tive was available, a girl had to be ‘made

a son’ to qualify for this ritual).

In the Middle Ages the marriage of

young children became a common cus-

tom (consummation being delayed, usu-

ally until puberty). Since child mortality

was very high, many children were mar-

ried and widowed several times before

puberty. The custom is believed to have

had its roots in a Hindu tradition that

one should not have an unmarried girl

who has reached puberty in the house.

Nineteenth-century reformers tried to

abolish child marriage. Indian civil law

prohibits it, and has set the legal age for

marriage at 18 for girls and 21 for boys.

(See also EQUALITY OF WOMEN.)

Maruts

The storm gods, sons of RUDRA, quite

prominent in the Øgveda, friends and

allies of Indra. Many legends surround

their origin and their name (derived

from Indra’s injunction ma rodih, ‘cry

not’).

mätä, alsomätäjï (‘mother’)

Honorific for religious women, especially

the leaders of religious movements.

maflha

A hermit’s hut, a cell, a religious centre,

‘monastery’, often combined with a

school.

Mathurä

One of the seven ancient holy cities of

India, on the right bank of the Yamunä,

about 150 km south of Delhi. It is the

birthplace of Kø•æa and an important

centre of Kø•æa worship for over 2,000

years, with many temples and maflhas.

Mathurä was famous for its school of

sculptors (some of the most celebrated

figures of Buddha came from it) that

lasted from about 50 to 1200 CEand is

also the site of an important archaeo-

logical museum.

matriarchy

There are several accounts in Sanskrit

literature of realms ruled by women and

matriarchal constitutions of tribes. At

present the Nairs of South India provide

the best example. Nair is a generic name

covering the castes of Menons,

Panikkars, Nambiars and others, mainly

115 matriarchy

A Hindu wedding taking place in the

United Kingdom. The bride is placing

a garland around the groom’s neck.

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