Dowry

Marriage of Srinivasa & Padmavathi

Since the Lord Srinivasa lived with a poor mother in a hut. To marry Padmavathi, he had to obtain a heavy loan from Kubera, the god of wealth in Hindu Mythology towards expenses for the wedding as well as provide proof of his wealth. The Lord Srinivasa also gave the royal gifts. Mother Padmavathi's father who was kind gave a lot of gifts too. It was a loving exchange. Never was a demand. Lord Srinivasa is the one and only Lord Thirupathy Venketshware in Andra Pradesh.

Marriage of Sita & Rama

When Sita reaches adulthood, Janaka organizes a swayamwara with the condition that Sita would marry only that person who would be able to string Pinak Dhanu (bow of Shiva). Rama lifts up the bow of Shiva with his left, fastens the string tightly, and finally breaks the bow. And thus Rama fulfills Janaka's condition to marry Sita. A lot of gifts were given from Janaka Maharaj and Lord Rama accepted mother Sita humbly but Lord Rama never demanded wealth.

Marriage gift from bride's family is a normal system out of love towards their daughters. But it wasn't a demand from the groom's family. Today in the name of gift groom's family forcing the bride's family to give gold and wealth beyond their capacity. This kind of marriage is not genuine. It is more like selling a daughter. All those following Sanatana Dharma please stop those cruel practices of dowry.

Women should be seen as a mother and Goddess. She gives her love, her care, her body and soul to the husband. The loving husband is the one who responsible to buy gifts, gold, and wealth. Both husband and wife should live together happily and earn enough wealth for their living. The wealth that they earn belongs to the husband and wife because it is from their hardworking. There is no rights for a groom's family to demand wealth and gold from someone's hardworking. It is considered as thieves and irreligious.

According to Indian police, every year it receives over 3,000 reports of bride-burning. More than thousands are dying. Torturing and killing is not a marriage. It is considered a crime. Sanatana Dharma's parents should learn Vedas carefully and do not use the loving gift as a forcible crime to society.