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Marriage and It's Types

Ancient Hindu traditions classify marriages into eight types, each reflecting different societal norms and customs. These include Brahma Vivaha, the highest form emphasizing moral character; Asura Vivaha, criticized for its materialistic nature; and Paishacha Vivaha, deemed the lowest due to lack of consent. Marriage in Hindu society is viewed as a vital institution for social stability and the continuation of lineage.

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7 views3 pages

Marriage and It's Types

Ancient Hindu traditions classify marriages into eight types, each reflecting different societal norms and customs. These include Brahma Vivaha, the highest form emphasizing moral character; Asura Vivaha, criticized for its materialistic nature; and Paishacha Vivaha, deemed the lowest due to lack of consent. Marriage in Hindu society is viewed as a vital institution for social stability and the continuation of lineage.

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contactmryt
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Eight Types of Marriages as per Ancient Hindu Traditions

The ancient Hindu scriptures and law books, known as 'Dharmashastras', delineate eight different types of marriages, demonstrating the
diverse traditions and societal norms that existed during the era. These forms of marriages were primarily based on the nature of alliances
formed between families and the modalities of the rituals and customs.

Brahma Vivaha

Brahma Vivaha is considered the highest form of marriage in Hindu traditions. This type of marriage involved the father of the bride searching
for a suitable groom. The key emphasis in this form of marriage was the groom's knowledge of the Vedas, his moral character, and his potential
to be a responsible householder. After selection, the bride was gifted to the groom, and the ceremony was conducted with Vedic rites and
rituals. This form of marriage was primarily followed by the Brahmin caste, hence the name 'Brahma Vivaha'.

Prajapatya Vivaha

Prajapatya Vivaha is similar to Brahma Vivaha in many ways, especially in its dignified nature. In this type of marriage, the bride's father would
offer her to the groom while reciting a sacred mantra that wishes well for the couple, seeking their mutual participation in the journey of life.
Just like the Brahma Vivaha, the groom's Vedic knowledge and moral character are of the utmost importance in this form of marriage. However,
the distinguishing factor lies in the intent - the primary purpose of Prajapatya Vivaha is to fulfil the duty of 'praja' or procreation to sustain
societal order.

Arsha Vivaha

Arsha Vivaha derives its name from 'Rishis' or sages. This type of marriage is characterized by the exchange of goods, typically a couple of
cows, from the groom to the bride's parents. This exchange is not viewed as a dowry but rather as a token of gratitude and respect towards the
bride's family. The groom in Arsha Vivaha is usually a sage or someone engrossed in Vedic learning, and the emphasis lies in the austerity of
life rather than worldly pleasures and materialistic pursuits.

Daiva Vivaha

Daiva Vivaha is a form of marriage where the bride is offered to a priest during a sacrifice, signifying the marriage of the bride to the 'Devas' or
gods. This type of marriage was usually conducted when the parents were unable to find a suitable groom in time or were unable to bear the
expenses of the marriage. Daiva Vivaha is considered inferior to the previous forms as it was primarily a means to get rid of the 'burden' of the
daughter.

Asura Vivaha

In Asura Vivaha, the groom offers wealth or gifts to the bride and her family, almost equivalent to buying her for marriage. The groom's
character and qualities are usually overshadowed by his wealth in this form of marriage. Asura Vivaha is often criticized for its materialistic
nature and is considered a low form of marriage as it involves the bride's family receiving material compensation.

Gandharva Vivaha

Gandharva Vivaha represents a voluntary union between a man and a woman based on mutual love and consent without any religious or
ceremonial rites. It is akin to what we call love marriage today. The name originates from the celestial beings known as Gandharvas in Hindu
mythology, who were known for their musical skills and passionate love affairs. While this form of marriage lacked societal approval in ancient
times, it represents a significant portion of contemporary Hindu marriages.

Rakshasa Vivaha
Rakshasa Vivaha is essentially marriage by abduction, where the groom forcibly takes away the bride against her will and the consent of her
family. This type of marriage often involved battles and physical confrontations and is named after the 'Rakshasas'—the demon-like beings
known for their violent and aggressive nature in Hindu mythology. This form of marriage is considered the second lowest form of marriage in
Hindu traditions.

Paishacha Vivaha

Paishacha Vivaha is viewed as the lowest form of marriage in Hindu tradition. It involves the groom deceiving and seducing the bride when she
is not in a conscious state of mind or when she is incapable of giving her consent, like during sleep or extreme intoxication. This form of
marriage was strongly condemned and is named after the 'Pishachas', the flesh-eating demons in Hindu mythology.

Importance and significance of marriage in Hindu society


In Hindu society, marriage symbolises not just the spiritual and emotional union of two individuals, but also the union of two families. It lays the
foundation for a stable social structure, providing a conducive environment for the continuation of lineage and preservation of dharma. The
concept of marriage is woven intricately into the cultural fabric of Hindu society and is the gateway to the establishment of a household or
'Grihastha' – the second of the four stages of life according to Hindu philosophy. This stage is significant as it sets the platform for the
individual to fulfil their worldly duties, including procreation, pleasure and contribution to societal order.

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