The forms of marriage include different categories of Marriages in accordance to the ceremonies and rituals performed in a particular marriage.
There are eight forms of marriages divided into two broad categories.
Two broad categories are-
- approved forms of marriage
- unapproved forms of marriage
In approved forms of marriage there are 4 forms of marriages are there those are
- Bhrama
- Daiva
- Arsha
- Prajapataya
Unapproved forms of marriages are consists of rest 4 forms of marriages and those are
- Asura
- Pishacha
- Gandharava
- Rakchhasha
Brahma marriage
- It was considered to be the best form of marriage.
- boy and girl must be from different gotra, varna, caste
- boy must have passed bharamchara or study-hood (study-hood is a phase in in which child study)
- there was no concept of dowry
- kanyadaan have taken place
Daiva Marriage
Daiva marriage takes place when the parents of girl child fails to find an appropriate match for her the they gift the girl child to the priest (here is bhramin) as a wife in a religious ceremony as well as the consent of the girl is not relevant.
Arsha Marriage
In this form of marriage the boy gift two cow and one ox to the parents in view of consent for the marriage and at the time of marriage is gifted to the newly wedded spouse. Cow and ox is considered as consideration given to the parents of girl. Consent is taken fro both side. It is not best marriage because here consideration is there.
Prajapatya Marriage
In this form f marriage is similar to the Bhramo marriage the only difference is that, In case of Prajapatya form of marriage, the marriage can be solemnized between the girl and the married person.
kanya daanam was also there
no dowery
girl must be unmarried but the boy can be married
the hand of the girl is handed over the hand of the boy with a recitation that “Today onwards she will be better half for your religious and moral ceremonies”.
Asura Marriage
In case of this marriage, the price of the girl is paid to the father of the girl in order to have the marriage.
The price which is paid to the girl’s father is known as SHULK or GIRL’S PRICE
It is the unapproved form of marriage because the girl is treated as a commodity
Gandharva Marriage
This is the form of love marriage, between the girl and the boy where the consent is not taken from the parents as well as the necessary ceremonies are not performed.
as the ceremonies are not performed in this marriage this is why it is the unapproved from of marriage
Pishacha Marriage
It is the most unapproved form of marriage
In this form of marriage, the girl is forcibly taken by the boy and raped and after that the girl is marriage is solemnized with the same boy.
Rakcchasha marriage
This is the form of marriage is usually done by the Kshatriya and here the marriage is solemnized forcibly or by the abduction. as the marriage is solemnized by the abduction hence it was also known as the unapproved form of marriage i the society.
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