Marriage is considered to be a crucial social institution. It is a relationship, which is socially approved and sanctioned by custom and law. It is also a set of cultural mechanisms which ensure the continuation of the family. It is more or less a universal social institution in India. It is a union of two individuals and their families, and it carries deep cultural, religious, and social meanings.

Acharya Chanakya, who is one of the greatest figures of wisdom & knowledge in Indian history, in his 'Chanakya Neeti', 'Arthashastra' and 'Neetishastra' writes that -

“Only a chaste, astute, virtuous and mellifluous woman, who remains faithful to her husband, truly deserves his patronage. Such a wife is a godsend to any man. Blessed, is the man, who has found such a woman to be his wife!”

While Hindu texts prescribe marrying within one's own community, they prohibit individuals from marrying those who belong to their own Gotra, or lineage from the same Vedic sage:

One should not choose (the bride) from the same gotra or born in the line of same sage. (One may choose) from (descendants of) more than seven (generations) on the paternal side and more than five (generations) on the maternal side. - Agni Purana, Chapter 154

The Sanatani Hindus have idealized marriage in a big way. During the era of Rig Veda marriage was considered as a sacramental union, and this continued to be so during the entire period. In the Shastric Hindu compilations, marriage has been regarded as one of the essential sanakaras (sacraments). The Veda ordains that “Dharma must be practiced by man together with his wife and offspring”. “He is only perfect who consists of his wife and offspring.” “Those who have wives can fulfil their obligations in this world; those who have wives truly have a family life; those who have wives can be happy; those who have wives can have a full life.” For a Hindu, marriage is essential, not only for begetting a son in order to discharge his debt to the ancestors, but also for performance of other religious and spiritual duties.

Wife is the ardhangini according to Satpatha Brahmana “The wife is verily the half of the husband. Man is only half, not complete until he marries.” The Taittiriya Samhita is to the same effect. Manu declared that mutual fidelity between husband and wife was the highest dharma. According to Mahabharata, by cherishing the woman one virtually cherishes the Goddess of prosperity herself. Wife under Hindu law is not only a “grahpatni,” but also a “dharma patni” and “shadharmini.” The wife is her husband's best of friends. She is the source of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The husband is known as bharthi. He is supposed to support his wife. He is also known as pati because he is supposed to support her.

Types of Marriages

Culturally seeing, the types of marriage can be divided into several types and each of those carry many significant values.

1. Brahma Vivaha

The Brahma Vivaha is considered the most ideal and honourable type of marriage. It involves a formal ceremony with detailed preparations and is conducted with the consent of both the bride's and groom's families. In this type of wedding there's no kind of exchange of money or lavish gifts in return of the bride or groom and it is considered the highest form of marriage in Sanatan Dharma. The families agree on the match, and the marriage is celebrated with traditional rituals and ceremonies, demonstrating a sacred and respectful union.

2. Daiva Vivaha

The Daiva Vivaha is a marriage conducted as part of a religious ceremony or ritual. In this type of marriage, the bride is given to a priest, and the ceremony often includes rituals where the bride is symbolically offered to a spiritual leader. The focus is on the spiritual and ceremonial aspects rather than personal choice.

3. Arsha Vivaha

The Arshavivaha is a righteous form of marriage. Arsha Vivaha involves the groom or rishi paying a price for the bride, typically in the form of a cow and two bulls or something of equivalent value. This payment is received by the bride's family as a sign of respect, and the marriage is conducted with traditional rituals. The sage Yajnavalkya prescribes offering one's maiden daughter as a bride in exchange for a pair of cows.

4. Gandharva Vivaha

The Gandharva Vivaha, also known as a love marriage, occurs when a couple chooses to marry out of love and personal choice, without following traditional ceremonies. The couple may elope or marry informally, based on their mutual affection and consent. Many traditions recognize it as a valid form of marriage.

5. Prajapatya Vivaha

The Prajapatya Vivaha is based on mutual consent and social approval. Both the bride and groom agree to the marriage with their families' approval and it is done mainly for having children together.

6. Asura Vivah

The Asura Vivaha is one of the most criticized forms of marriage. In this type, the groom or the bride pays a large amount of wealth to the get a partner. It is essentially a transaction where the bride or groom is treated as a purchase.

7. Rakshasa Vivaha

The Rakshasa Vivaha involves abducting the bride or groom and violently attacking their family and relatives. This type of marriage is named after the Rakshasas, or demons, known for their cruelty to captives.

8. Paishacha Vivaha

The Paishacha Vivaha is viewed as the lowest form of marriage in Sanatan Dharma. It involves the groom misleading and seducing the bride when she is unconscious or unable to give consent, such as when she is asleep or extremely intoxicated. This type of marriage is strongly criticized and is named after the 'Pishachas,' flesh-eating demons in Hindu mythology.

9. Svayamvar Vivaha

The Svayamvara Vivaha is a type of marriage mentioned in Hindu mythology where a woman chose a man as her husband from a group of suitors. The bride wishing to marry would select an auspicious time and venue and then broadcast her intentions. Kings typically sent messengers to outside lands, while commoners simply spread the news within the local community. On the appointed day, suitors would gather at the venue and declare their qualifications. The bride would place a garland on the man of her choice and a wedding ceremony was held immediately. However, this type of marriage is not attested in any Dharmashastra.

Some Common Features of Indian Marriages

The wedding is typically divided into three parts: pre-wedding, main, and post-wedding. The pre-wedding includes all the preparations and a party the night before where each side of the family can meet each other and dance and have fun. A Pandit, who has selected the day of the wedding based on the bride and groom’s horoscopes, conducts a prayer with family members to provide the couple with a happily married life. The wedding altar (mandapa) is built the day of and the groom is welcomed by his future mother-in-law where his feet are then washed and he is offered milk and honey. His sister-in-law will attempt to steal his shoes and if she succeeds, the groom must pay her to get them back.

An Indian groom typically wears a turban with a veil of flowers to protect him from evil spirits. The parents give the bride away, but they do not eat before the wedding to remain pure for the occasion. The bride’s saree is tied to the groom’s scarf to symbolize the union of the souls. During a similar ceremony, a cord is tied around the couple’s necks to protect them from evil and they are typically tied by elders of the bride and groom.

In Indian weddings, the Mangal Sutra is tied around the bride’s neck instead of exchanging rings. The Mangal Sutra is a cord with two gold pendants and is tied in three knots by the groom to symbolize the bonding of the two souls for 100 years. This necklace lets others know that the bride is married.

One fun ceremony is called mangal pheras. This is when the bride and groom circle the sacred fire four times to represent dharma, artha, kama, and moksha and they run to their seats—whoever gets there first will rule the household. In Saptapadi, the groom helps the bride touch seven betel nuts with her right toe while they recite seven vows. Finally, seven married women from the bride’s side pass by the couple and whisper blessings in the bride’s right ear. After the wedding, the bride is carried out by her brothers.

The bride then leaves for the groom’s home where her mother-in-law has placed a vessel filled with rice at the entrance of the home. The bride is supposed to spill the rice by touching it with her right foot to signify wealth and that the bride accepts her new responsibilities. Another fun game for the newlyweds is called Aeki Beki where a tray of water is mixed with milk and Sindoor (vermillion) and it is filled with coins and a ring. Whoever finds the ring four out of seven times will rule the household. The day is then concluded with prayers to God requesting happiness and love for the newlyweds.

Marriage is regarded to be a sacrament by Hindus, rather than a form of social contract, since they believe that all men and women are created to be parents, and practise dharma together, as ordained by the Vedas. The Brahmanas state that a man is only said to be "complete" after marrying a woman, and acquiring progeny.

MARRIAGE AS A SACRAMENT IN INDIA

It is said that the matches are made in heaven. Marriages carry a deep cultural, sacramental, and philosophical value and this article intends to cover them.