through the agency of others).  Such sons can never belong, even as daughter’s sons, to their maternal grandfather in consequence of his having sold their mother for a price and lost all his rights in or to her by that act.[291] Such sons, again, become full of malice, unrighteous in conduct, the misappropriators of other people’s wealth, and endued with deceit and cunning.  Having sprung from that sinful form of marriage called Asura, the issue becomes wicked in conduct.  Persons acquainted with the histories of olden times, conversant with duties, devoted to the scriptures and firm in maintaining the restraints therein laid down, recite in this connection some metrical lines sung in days of yore by Yama.  Even this is what Yama had sung.  That man who acquires wealth by selling his own son, or who bestows his daughter after accepting a dower for his own livelihood, has to sink in seven terrible hells one after another, known by the name of Kalasutra.  There that wretch has to feed upon sweat and urine and stools during the whole time.  In that form of marriage which is called Arsha, the person who weds has to give a bull and a cow and the father of the maiden accepts the gift.  Some characterise this gift as a dowry (or price), while some are of opinion that it should not be regarded in that light.  The true opinion, however, is that a gift for such a purpose, be it of small value or large, should, O king, be regarded as dowry or price, and the bestowal of the daughter under such circumstances should be viewed as a sale.  Notwithstanding the fact of its having been practised by a few persons it can never be taken as the eternal usage.  Other forms of marriage are seen, practised by men, such as marrying girls after abducting them by force from amidst their kinsmen.  Those persons who have sexual intercourse with a maiden, after reducing her to subjection by force, are regarded as perpetrators of sin.  They have to sink in darkest hell.[292] Even a human being with whom one has no relationship of blood should not form the subject of sale.  What need then be said of one’s own issue?  With the wealth that is acquired by doing sinful deeds, no action leading to merit can be performed.’”

SECTION XLVI

“Bhishma said, They that are conversant with ancient history recite the following verse of Daksha, the son of Prachetas:  That maiden, in respect of whom nothing is taken by her kinsmen in the form of dowry cannot be said to be sold.[293] Respect, kind treatment, and everything else that is agreeable, should all be given unto the maiden whose hand is taken in marriage.  Her sire and brothers and father-in-law and husband’s brothers should show her every respect and adorn her with ornaments, if they be desirous of reaping benefits, for such conduct on their part always leads to considerable happiness and advantage.  If the wife does not like her husband or fails to gladden him, from such dislike and absence of joy,