Sapinda Relationship

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According to Hindu Law , when two persons offer Pinda to the same ancestor , they are Sapindas to each other.

Two persons would be Sapindas when they have common ancestor.

Section 3 (f) of HMA ,1955 defines Sapinda relationship.

Relationship directly to the ascendants on both paternal and maternal relationship and

Relationship indirectly through a common ancestor, on both paternal and maternal relationship.

The term “lineal ascendant” means an ancestor in the unbroken line of ascent .There is no limit of degrees. It applies both to the male and female ascendants of father and mother.

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Vijaneshwara’s Theory : Pinda means body, Sapinda means connected by particles of the same body

Jimutavahana’s Theory : Oblation theory : Pinda means the ball of rice offered at a shardha ceremony to deceased ancestors . Sapindas in this view are those relations who are connected with one another by oblations of food

1 . Offer pindas to the other 2 .Both offers pindas to the common ancestor.

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Under HMA,1955 – Sapinda relationship defined Jimutavahana’s Oblation theory was brushed

aside Vijananeshware theory was modified The modification consists in restricting the

sapinda relationship to 5 degress on the father’ side and 3 degress on mother’s side

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Rules Rules : Sapinda relationship is always traced upwards : i.e in the line of ascent and not in the

line of descent .

Computation of degress in inclusive of the person concerned .

Sapinda relationship may be traced :

On both sides through the mother

On both sides through the father On one side through the father And on the other side through the mother If the boy and the girl are sapindas to the common ancestor , they will be sapindas to

each other :if one of them is not a sapinda to the common ancestor , they would not be sapindas to each other , even if the other is sapinda to the common ancestor if both are not sapindas to the common ancestor , they cannot be sapindas to each other