In that form of marriage which is called Arsha, the person who marries has to give a bull and a cow and the father of the maiden accepts the gift. Some characterise this gift as a dower (or price), while some are of opinion that it should not be considered in that light. The true opinion, however, is that a gift for such a purpose, be it of small value or large, should, O king, be considered as dower or price, and the bestowal of the daughter under such circumstances should be considered as a sale.
आर्षे गोमिथुनं शुल्कं केचिदाहुम॒षैव तत्। अल्पो वा बहु वा राजन् विक्रयस्तावदेव सः॥