Was pāṇīgrahaṇa (पाणीग्रहण - taking hold of the bride’s hand), keeping fire for a witness/in the presence of Agni or fire - Agnisākṣika (अग्निसाक्षिक), considered as marriage in Ramayana times, contrary to present day ritual of tying mangalsutra around bride's neck?
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pāṇīgrahaṇa (पाणीग्रहण) refers to “taking hold of the bride’s hand” and represents one of the various Marriage Rites (saṃskāra) in Hindu marriages.
Mangala sutra literally means "an auspicious thread" that is knotted around the bride's neck and is worn by her for the remainder of her marriage. It is usually a yellow thread prepared with turmeric in Hindu marriages.
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The practice of ritualistically adorning the bride with a mangala sutra to solemnise marriage, is a modern concept.
However, in Valmiki Ramayana pāṇīgrahaṇa (पाणीग्रहण) of Sita by Shri Rama and their respective brides by his brothers, keeping fire for a witness/in the presence of Agni or fire - Agnisākṣika (अग्निसाक्षिक), was narrated as the marriage ritual performed.
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Consider the following narration from Valmiki Ramayana.
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दर्भैस्समैस्समास्तीर्य विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्।
अग्निमादाय वेद्यां तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।।1.73.24।।
जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।
अग्निमादाय वेद्यां तु विधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्।।1.73.24।।
जुहावाग्नौ महातेजा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।
Brilliant and worshipful rishi Vasishta chanted, mantras according to
tradition, put the darbha grass of equal proportions around the altar,
placed the fire on the altar, recited the mantras from the scriptures and offered oblations into the flame.
ततस्सीतां समानीय सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्।।1.73.25।।
समक्षमग्ने स्संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा।
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्।।1.73.26।।
समक्षमग्ने स्संस्थाप्य राघवाभिमुखे तदा।
अब्रवीज्जनको राजा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनम्।।1.73.26।।
Thereafter king Janaka brought Sita adorned with various ornaments and
placed her in the presence of Agni in front of Rama, the enhancer of the
joy of Kausalya. And said:
इयं सीता मम सुता सहधर्मचरी तव।
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना।।1.73.27।।
प्रतीच्छ चैनां भद्रं ते पाणिं गृह्णीष्व पाणिना।।1.73.27।।
"This my daughter Sita will be your partner in performing her rightful duty. Accept her. Farewell. Take her hand into your own."
पतिव्रता महाभागा छायेवानुगता सदा।
इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा।।1.73.28।।
इत्युक्त्वा प्राक्षिपद्राजा मन्त्रपूतं जलं तदा।।1.73.28।।
By being a devoted wife this highly fortunate Sita would always follow
you like a shadow". Thus spoken, he sprinkled the water sanctified with
mantras (on them).
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Then, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna took the hands of Urmila, Mandavi and Srutakirti respectively.
अग्निं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य वेदिं राजानमेव च।
ऋषींश्चैव महात्मानस्सभार्या रघुसत्तमा:।।1.73.36।।
यथोक्तेन तदा चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्।
ऋषींश्चैव महात्मानस्सभार्या रघुसत्तमा:।।1.73.36।।
यथोक्तेन तदा चक्रुर्विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्।
The great, noble princes of the race of Raghu, accompanied by their
wives circumambulated the altar of the sacred fire. King Janaka and the
sages in obedience to the directions of Vasishta and in accordance with the sastras conducted the matrimonial.
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