[Y-Indology] questions on Hindu view on contraception, marriage, cremation

[Guest guest]

As an Indian, I have observed Hindus for the past thirty -two years, thought

I am not a Hindu myself, living amongst them, I have gained some insights

which I would be delighted to share with you.

 

a) Contraception is seen as a socio-economic requirement. Hindu familes are

progressively growing smaller in size. Also, the traditional Hindu Joint

Family system is under great pressure in urban settlements. Changed times and

varied career options / requirements are responsible for this. Another reason

for this is that the traditional insistence on having a male heir has fallen

by the wayside owing to the fact that Indian women are better educated and

more career-minded than ever before.

 

b) Well, first the families of the bride and groom meet. Usually through an

intermediary. Then the boy sees girl and vice versa. In about a couple of

such meetings, the bride and groom decide if they wish to be married to each

other. The parents and elders jointly work out the logistics. An auspicious

date is fixed. The boy comes with his retinue of friends, family and

realtives to the bride's house. The marriage ceremony takes place at the

bride's residence or a "marriage hall". The groom leves with his bride. The

bride lives with his parents. His wife joins him there.

 

In the case of a love marriage, the boy and girl choose each other. Depending

upon their wishes, they get married in a traditional manner, or get married

in court. Usually, if the parents of the boy and girl approve of their

children's choice, they organise the marriage in the traditional manner.

 

c) The body is burnt on death. The ashes are disposed of in a respectful

manner. They are usually scattered in a river. All Indian religions believe

in re-birth. The soul is eternal. It finds another body to reside in.

 

These are the Hindu beliefs. The Jain beliefs are different, even though the

rituals are similar. I do not know about Buddhism.

 

Yours in Ahinsa,

 

Manish Modi

 

 

 

On Thursday 17 January 2002 23:28, Lynken Ghose wrote:

> Dear Indology List:

>

> Does anyone have any good information, either references or even anecdotal,

> about the following topics within either modern or ancient Hinduism -

>

>

> a) view on contraception

>

> b) steps involved in negotiating arranged marriage (definitely modern info.

> would be interesting and relevant here), arranged vs. love marriages

>

> c) views on cremation, treatment of ashes and beliefs about soul's life

> after cremation

>

> Thanks,

>

> Lynken Ghose

>

>