Bharadvaja Grihya Sutra is a Hindu text on domestic rituals according to Sage Bharadvaja. It is part of Bharadvaja Kalpa which belongs to a subdivision of Taittiriyas. Salomons of Leyden edited and published Bharadvaja Grihya Sutra consisting of three prashnas (questions) in 1913. Among other things, the three prashnas that constitute this portion of Bharadvaja Kalpa lay special stress on the intelligence of a bride.
In these Sutras, the word ‘prajna’ (intellect) is to be understood
as substituted by ‘praja’ (progeny). Even other Grihya Sutras like Manava,
Varaha an d Apastamba refer to prajna or buddhi (intellect) as constituting the
indispensable quality of the girl to be chosen as a bride (vittam rupam vidya
prajna bandhava – Manava I.7, 6-7; Varaha X.5; budhi
rupa-shila-lakshanasampannamarogagamupaccchet – Apastamba I.5, 3). A core
passage in Bharadvaja Grihya Sutra (I.11-12) contains a stated position on the
bridegroom’s choice of a bride in terms of her characteristics. The passage atha
khalu bahuni lakshanani bhavanti –
Truly there are so many characteristics – whomsoever his
heart takes a delight in and whomsoever his eye dwells on, he will consider
provided with good characteristics. What will he do with the knowledge of good characteristics?
If Sutrakara (the author of the sutras) recommends the
choice of a bride who delights the heart of the groom, it cannot be considered
as a sacrilege of the holy sacrament.