The Domestic Sutras of Gobhila

Of the Gobhila Grihya Sutra — [Analysis of the Time for Marriage]

I entertain the hope that by means of this book people will come to know that marriage at the age of twelve or thirteen is not prohibited by the Sastras Sacred Hindu scriptures or treatises., so long as it takes place before the period above indicated. Hence the marriage of mere infants is wrong. In any case, as appears from what I have stated above, males should not marry before eighteen, & in no rank of life should the wife join her husband till she is past the age of eleven.

My earnest prayer is that the princes & wealthy nobles of this country will exert themselves in this matter, and freely provide means for the circulation of this work throughout India. Then, if they follow the course therein advocated, will the inhabitants of Bharatavarsha An ancient and traditional name for the Indian subcontinent. become wiser, more powerful, energetic, and courageous, & better qualified to understand and take part in abstruse and difficult political concerns.

PANDIT RAMA MISRA SASTRI Banaras.
7th December, 1890.

Are there any people in the world who do not desire the growth and prosperity of their lineage and clan? Or who do not wish for natural strength, vitality, bodily radiance, and physical beauty? I am firmly convinced that everyone in the world will agree with one voice that the desire for all these aforementioned rewards is natural to every thinking being. The only distinction is that wise people, as soon as they desire a result, consider the means to achieve it; they find a way to obtain it and reach success. On the other hand, those who are unintelligent, lazy, or cursed by fate spend their lives merely wishing for the rewards until the very end, sin? without ever even considering the nature of the means. Everyone will also agree that it is difficult to repair something that is already broken, particularly the body—which is the primary vehicle for achieving the four aims of human life (Purushartha The four traditional goals of human life: Dharma (duty/ethics), Artha (prosperity), Kama (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation).). By protecting the body, all four goals can be realized, but by neglecting it, all four goals sink into the abyss.

* If people cannot all at once conform, as I think they should conform to the directions of Manu and Susruta Manu refers to the Lawgiver of the Manusmriti; Susruta is the ancient father of Indian surgery and medicine., and make the age of twelve the earliest.