A family, in general, consists of Parents, grand parents and children and grand children. Hindu family norms are bedrock of Indian society. Resilience of Indian social culture in the face of adversities is unique and legendary. This resilience emanates from its’ rich family norms that are followed since ages. After brisk aping of the Western Christian Nuclear – Family Norm only India is facing the problems like Destitution of aged, diseased, disabled persons.
This system ensures equitable distribution of duties and rights to all. Till now these were well looked after by the Family under the command of a Patriarch. With the gender based division of family members and undermining of the Male members authority in a Family by State legislations is throwing Indian society into an Anomie like situation. Indian family system makes Indian society saner society. And family system is a culmination of Grihastashrama dharma. Againg Grihastashrama Dharma in turn fulfils the objective of man’s obligation towards discharge of his Pitrurina (Eternal debt of a man towards his ancestors).
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Family norms
Indians live in Families. A family , in general , consists of Parents, grand parents and children.
People in India are bound by their family ties through concepts of Sagotra, Sapinda, and Surnames.
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Sagotra and Sapinda
Sagotra means people belonging to same Gotra name. Gotra name is a fictitious name assumed by living families presently or in the past by their ancestors. Gotra names may be from names of Sapta Rishis – Atri, Bharadwaja, Koundinya, etc,.
Or any local names as the case may be. Sapinda means people who make offerings to same departed souls during certain designated days.
Surnames are of recently known names of one’s ancestry – Like Known Village name from where their forefathers or himself migrated from or name of Known prominent ancestor or one’s own father or grand father and so on.
This concept of Sagotra, Sapinda and Surname traditions are very important for various duties – sacred and earthly as well to be performed by and individual for the benefit of his family and the community.
Marriages between Sagotras and Sapindas are prohIbited. That is Marriage between children of Brothers (and who are aught to be Brothers ) is prohibited. Similarly Marriage between children of Sisters also prohibited.
In Telugu areas, traditionally, marriage between children of a Sister and Brother is not prohibited.
Traditionally, In North India Marriage between a Man and Woman born in a Village is prohibited. That is a child born in a Village becomes a Sister or Brother to another Child born in the same village automatically. This applies to all irrespective of their Kula or Jaati in the village. That is
MARRIAGE
Marriage between Children of a Sister and Brother is a custom followed to strengthen family ( Of Origin ) bonds. And also, marriage between Niece and Uncle is most sought after by women. That is a woman gives her daughter in marriage to her own younger brother so that her ties with her parental home are re-established for good.
Whereas In North India this kind of marriage between children of Sister and Brother and between Uncle and Niece are prohibited. Because it militates against the principle of ( even though fictitious ) Brother – sisterhood between two village man and woman. This proscription of marriage between a man and woman coming from same village is universal in India. This principle is followed in different way by all in India. For example, people belonging to same Gotra ,Same Pinda and same Sir-name do not marry each other where ever they live on earth.
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