While there is a description of many types of marriages in Sanatan culture, marriage is seen as a ‘contract’ in other religions, in which spouses make public declaration of their commitment. In Sanatan Dharma, marriage is considered to be one of the 16 rites, which is fulfilled as a witness. Today, there is a prevalent in Hinduism and almost the same type of marriage system is adopted. We have heard about two types of marriage. Orange marriage and love marriage. But do you know that there are 8 types of marriages in Sanatan Dharma? All these types of marriages are described in detail in the Mahabharata.
Different types of marriage described in Hindu scriptures
Brahma Vivah
A marriage in which a family well adorned with a family is married to a person worthy and educated by another family. In this type of marriage, after completion of the child’s education, the groom’s family takes a proposal of marriage to the bride’s family. Apart from the girl, there is no other demand from the groom’s family and there is no financial transaction.
Divine marriage
In this marriage, the girl’s family arranges for marriage with Ritviz by performing Yajna rituals. This means that the donation is done under a religious ritual. Here the bride’s family looks for a spouse for her.
Happy married life
A marriage in which a girl is married to a sage. In turn, the sage gives a pair of cow and bull to the bride’s family. Relationships can be sought from both sides for this marriage.
Prajapatya marriage
A marriage in which the bride and groom marry with a clear intentions to fulfill religious and social duties and to produce children as equal partners. In this, the girl’s family finds a relationship for her.
Gandharva Vivah
In this, the boy and the girl marry with mutual consent. This type of marriage was not encouraged by Brahmins, but it was acceptable to other people, especially Kshatriyas. King Dushyant persuaded Shakuntala for this marriage.
Asura marriage
A marriage in which the groom and his family pay tribute to the bride’s family.
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Demon marriage
A marriage in which the girl is forcibly kidnapped by defeating the girl’s relatives through force performance and in the fight. This type of marriage was allowed only to the Kshatriyas. Through this marriage, Bhishma brought Ambika, Amba and Ambalika to his brothers.
Vampire marriage
A marriage in which the groom marries the bride through deception and fraud. This marriage is completely unacceptable and is prohibited for all.
According to the sages and experts of Hindu scriptures, the first four types of marriage are considered to be the most suitable and the last two are considered to be the least suitable.
