Text 24] King Yayati Regains His Youth 29
PURPORT

According to the Vedic system, the parents would consider the
horoscopes of the boy and girl who were to be married. If according to
astrological calculations the boy and girl were compatible in every
respect, the match was called yotaka and the marriage would be ac-
cepted. Even fifty years ago, this system was current in Hindu society.
Regardless of the affluence of the boy or the personal beauty of the girl,
without this astrological compatibility the marriage would not take place.
A person is born in one of three categories, known as deva-gana,
manusya-gana and raksasa-gana. In different parts of the universe
there are demigods and demons, and in human society also some people
resemble demigods whereas others resemble demons. If according to
astrological calculations there was conflict between a godly and a
demoniac nature, the marriage would not take place. Similarly, there
were calculations of pratiloma and anuloma. The central idea is that if
the boy and girl were on an equal level the marriage would be happy,
whereas inequality would lead to unhappiness. Because care is no longer
taken in marriage, we now find many divorces. Indeed, divorce has now
become a common affair, although formerly one’s marriage would con-
tinue lifelong, and the affection between husband and wife was so great
that the wife would voluntarily die when her husband died or would
remain a faithful widow throughout her entire life. Now, of course, this
is no longer possible, for human society has fallen to the level of animal
society. Marriage now takes place simply by agreement. Dampatye
’bhirucir hetuh (Bhag. 12.2.3). The word abhiruci means “agreement.”
If the boy and girl simply agree to marry, the marriage takes place. But
when the Vedic system is not rigidly observed, marriage frequently ends
in divorce.

TEXT 24
mea Taha aT AT TH Haat Ag |
ATITA Td: AAAI WBA FAT U2wll
gate rdjani sd dhire
tatra sma rudati pituh
nyavedayat tatah sarvam
uktam Sarmisthaya krtam
