The Journal of the Ganganatha Jha Research Institute August 1948

The application of the term ganapati to Indra in the Rgveda and to Rudra in the Yajurveda must have been the cause of Ganapati's having some of the characteristics of these two deities. [...] But the close resemblance of the author's name with that of Vacaspati Mi§ra the renowned Smrti writer of Mithild who also wrote a number of Smrti works the names of which end with the word cintämani " raises a great doubt regarding the suggested identity of the present author. [...] This interpretation of the act of Viväha is quite in keeping with the literal meaning of the term i. e. taking the girl) away in a special manner or for a special purpose " the special manner being the observance of various rites in marriage and the special purpose the creation of Bharyatva. [...] This pratice is condemned on pain of apostacy (pdtitya) on the part not only of the bridegroom and the bride but also of the superseded elder 'brother the person offering the girl and the priest conducting the marriage. [...] The brotherless girl is condemned in apprehension of the Tutrikaputratva'.30 According to the interpretation of the Mitakiardthe term cputrikäputra' is equally applicable to the son of an appointed daughter or to the daughter herself becoming by special appointment a son".31' These appoinments were made for purposes of succession to the estate of a sonless man.