in the Yajñvalkya Smriri and its contemporary literature, we find that the fear of post-puberty marriages became so great that the Smitris brought the marriageable age of girls still lower. According to the Parashar Smitri and Sheeghrabodha the marriageable girls were divided into five categories:
1) Nagnika or naked. A girl seven years old or younger. This was regarded as best age for marriage.
2) Gauri. A girl eight years old.
3) Rohini. A girl of nine years old.
4) Kanya. A ten years old girl.
5) Rajaswala. A girl above ten years old.
According to Vaikhnasa, a Brahmin should marry a Nagnika since that is the best match. According to Marici the best age of marriage for a girl is five years old. Brahmapurana also prescribes marriage in childhood. Failure to do this will condemn the parents or gaurdian to utmost degradation.
