Sapinda

Sapinda is a term used in context of cousin marriages.

The subject is to be counted as first generation, and the common ancestor defining sapinda limit is to be within sapinda limit.

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955,[1] section 3 on definitions defines Sapinda in sub-section (f); as mentioned below: (i) “Sapinda relationship” with reference to any person extends as far as the third generation (inclusive) in the line of ascent through the mother, and the fifth (inclusive) in the line of ascent through the father, the line being traced upward in each case from the person concerned, who is to be counted as the first generation; (ii) two persons are said to be “sapindas” of each other if one is a lineal ascendant of the other within the limits of sapinda relationship, or if they have a common lineal ascendant who is within the limits of sapinda relationship with reference to each of them; However, Manu Smriti[2] explains "Sapinda" in Adhyay: 5, Mantra: 60, which states, सपिण्डता तु पुरुषे सप्तमे विनिवर्तते। समानोदकभावस्तु जन्मनाम्नोरवेदने॥ This has been explained as Sapinda relationship ends at seventh generation and absence of knowledge of birth and name of lineal descendant of seventh generation cannot be considered as Sapinda.

For example, if the bride is the offspring of any person within five generations (inclusive) on the Bridegroom's father's side and three generations (inclusive) on the groom's mother's side, or vice versa, they will be referred to as "Sapindas" of each other.

A marriage may be solemnized between any two Hindus, if the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:- Out of the five above conditions, this article refers to the condition stated under section 5(v), which states that if the Hindu bride and the Hindu groom are "sapindas" of each other, the marriage between the two cannot be solemnized by law and will be legally void.