there are provisions in Shastras to give proper respect to relatives on the mother"s side

In a stiffly Patrilineal setup ( male succession oriented) of Hindu practices, it is heartening to see that there are provisions in Shastras to give proper respect to relatives on the mother"s side..

Apart from the pitru karyams like tharpanam to be done for maternal grandparents, dharmasastras also provide for aassauchams or theettu for siblings of mother, their spouses, and cousins.. even when they are from different gothrams..

In fact shastras say that maternal uncles and paternal aunts and maternal aunts and their spouse all should be given great respect only next only to father and mother..

And it is specially provided that even if those persons are not showing any cordiality, or even if they are indifferent to our welfare, still utmost respect should be shown to them and their families, and no disrespectful or disparaging remarks should ever be made against them ..

Even in the matter of prohibition of partaking in food in other houses on certain days and occasions, the houses of Athai , Chithi, periyammai, and Mama( siblings of parents) and first cousins, are exempted..

There is no bar in taking food from their houses at any time, as if it were our own house and hearth.

Of course father's brother , own brother paternal cousins etc are of the same family and such a situation will not arise because there is no difference between theirs and our own

This exemptions is allowed for father in laws house too..

We can even partake pithrusesham (the food left after offering in respectful memory of departed soul) of own sister and her sons, athai (fathers sister), athaan( athiais son) , mama( maternal uncle), mami, mamas son, chithi or periyammai( mothers sisters), their sons etc. and the parents in law too...

So blood relations actually assume a lot of importance.. Sometimes, sadly we maintain enmity with uncles aunts, and their children.. and it is not proper at all..