duhan
January 27th, 2003, 02:30 AM
Marriage like other social institutions probably began as a male dominated institution but not so in English language where the word 'marry' means "getting a husband" as "Mari" in French means "husband". Technically, it is erroneous for a man to say he is getting married to a woman!! On the other hand some other languages have their own interpretation of vivah/shadi like in Russian "zhenit" (marry) means "getting a woman"; in Persian "Shadi" means "happiness" In Arabic, 'Nikah" means "mixing of something good.". The urdu word for marriage is "shadi" which has roots in persian language where "shad" simply means "happiness". "Shad" in turn has roots in Indo European language where "sd" means 'good". Another urdu word for marriage is "biah" which has roots in sanskrit's "vivah". In "vivah" the prefix "vi" has a positive connotation like the Russian'vi" unlike the pursian "vi". The rest of the word therefore is "vah"- which means "to drive or carry"-- so vivah means to drive away the bride for good!! The word "vehicle" also comes from Sanskrit's "vahan". I also read in one of the books related to Aryan tribes that some ceremonies in Jat marriages symbolise this "act" of
"demanding/carrying away" the bride. Interesting hmm...
"demanding/carrying away" the bride. Interesting hmm...