Marriage System in India

 What is marriage?

Among all the Institutions in Human society, Marriage is one of the most important and sacred institutions. In any religion, it is considered as a sacrosanct union. Marriage is a culturally recognized union between two individuals which is legally and socially approved. It unites the life of two individuals not only legally, but economically and emotionally also. Although, its meaning could differ or vary in different religion and regions. However, the common consideration about marriage is that it is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged or sanctioned.

Etymologically, the word “Marriage”, derives from Latin, matrimonium da mater madre, meaning it as a female office regarding the creation and care of the family. It firstly appears in 1250-1300 CE in Middle English marriage. 

History of Marriage

Image Courtsey: Indianexpress.com

During the very early age, no marriage existed and even the notion of marriage was not known. A man was on intimate terms with a woman, but it did not become either a legal or a religious act, so that both the man and woman were free to live their own lives afterwards.

          However, with the development of social institutions in later age, this union of two individuals got social, cultural and legal considerations and became one of the most important institutions of the society. We can see the traces of family system in Harappan Civilization, where each individual family was living together in a house. The Harappan people were generally known to strictly adhere to only legal relations, and the fact that the couple were buried in the same pit together could be an indication of societal acceptance of their relationship.

As per the belief of researcher, people in Harappan Civilization could have been married which would in turn suggest the possibility that the institution of marriage originated in Harappan Civilization.

Marriage system in Ancient India

In Sanskrit, the word for marriage is Vivah which has the roots in Vedas. During Rig Vedic period, the institution of marriage was strongly planted. According to the Rig Veda, the purpose of marriage was to enable a man, by becoming a householder, to perform sacrifices to the God and to procreate sons. Marriage or Vivah was one of the sacred sacraments which every individual had to undergo and was also the second stage, Grihasthashrama among the four stages of life prescribed in the Ashram Dharma.  

          According to Hindu ideology, life is divided into four stages (Ashrama), Brahamcharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa. Among them, the second stage (Grihasthasharama) dealt with marriage and included the goals of Dharma, artha and Kama. It is considered that without a marriage and without the cooperation of Ardhangani (Wife), one cannot achieve, Mukti or salvation.

          The Vedas and Smritis, gave an authentic written foundation to the institution of marriage. It is indispensable as for the perseverance of race and body. According to smritis, Vivah is one of the Sarira-samskara each of every man and woman must pass through it at proper age and time. The primary function of marriage was the continuity of the race through the procreation of children and to ensure transmission of cultural heritage. The Hindu believer that one’s progeny is connected with and is instrumental to happiness to this world as well as hereafter. Manu smriti states, “he is a perfect man, who consist of his wife, himself and, his offspring.”

Selection of bridegroom and bride

There were many criteria set to choose a bridegrooms and brides. To choose a bridegroom, certain factors were important and mandatory as a bridegroom should be intelligent, having good character, good health and should be wealthy also. In many Hindu mythologies, it has been denied to choose a bridegroom who do not possess these qualities. As per the stories of Mahabharata, friendship and marriage should always take between those who have equal status and wealth.

          As far as the criteria for choosing brides were concerned, a bride should be fair and beautiful, intelligent, healthy and having good characteristics. In later age it was observed that knowledge of music, singing and dancing were also certain criteria for the marriage. During post Vedic era, when caste system became one of indispensable characteristics of the society, marriage between same caste were made mandatory. According to Kamasutra, the bride must be younger to the bridegroom by at least three years and a virgin. They should not belong to the same gotra.

Types of Marriage

Hindu scriptures have stated many types of marriages which indicates towards its different basis. Arrange marriage was one of the popular and majorly accepted type of marriage. Even, in medieval age and in today’s society this type has been largely accepted. Instances of marriage between two and more, have also been seen in all ages, like Polygamy, Polyandry, Plural marriage etc.

Grihayasutras, Dharam sutras and Smritis mention eight types of Vivaah. They were-

1.    Brahma Vivaah- In this type of marriage, the father used to invite a man learned in Vedas to marriage his daughter ornamented with auspicious garments and jewels.

2.    Daiva Vivaah- In this type of marriage, the person who organizes a sacrifice, marries his daughter to the priest who has come to preside at the sacrifice.

3.    Aarsha Vivaah- In this type of marriage, bridegroom has to donate a cow and a bull or a pair of both to the bride’s father. After that bride’s father used to allow the bridegroom to marry his daughter.

4.    Prajapatya Vivaah- In this form of marriage, the bridegroom had to give commitment to the girl’s father about togetherness with the bride. The father after honouring the bridegroom, gave his daughter and used to address both of them with the words, “May both of you perform your religious duties together.”

5.    Asura Vivaah- This type of a marriage was rarely prevalent in the society as it was hardly liked by all. In this form of marriage, a father used to sell his daughter after taking a handsome amount and wealth from the bridegroom and the bridegroom willingly gave the said amount.

6.    Gandharva Vivaah- This was a love marriage in which the parents of bride and bridegroom hardly knew about this marriage. With the mutual consent of both, bride and bridegroom used to marry with each other. Swayamvar, was one of the forms of Gandharva Vivaah.

7.    Rakshasa Vivaah- This type of marriage was also known as abduction marriage. This marriage was prevalent in Kshatriya Varna. In this marriage, the bride was forcibly carried out by the bridegroom from her home and her kinsmen were beaten and injured.

8.    Paishacha Vivaah- This form of marriage was abject and abominable. In this form, a seduced and raped girl had to marry with that person forcibly.

 The above mentioned out of eight types of marriage, the first four were according to the Dharma Shastras and there was a provision of gift or Kanyadaan by the father or the other guardian of the bride to the bridegroom. In the above four forms, there was no any provision of Divorce or separation. However, the rest four forms were less liked and prevalent. They were not legalized. Brahama Vivah was the most prevalent and the best form of marriage and Paishacha Vivaha was worst.

Marriage system in Medieval India

Medieval age of Indian history shows a different phase in terms of marriage system. During this time the marriage was compulsory for all the girls except for those who opted ascetism.  From the fifth century onwards, it is seen that the marriage age of girls, especially Brahmin girls was between eight and ten. Among Kshatriyas, Polygamy was prevalent due to political reasons. According to Abhilashitartha Chintamani, the king should marry a Kshatriya girl of noble birth for a  chief Queen though he is permitted to have Vaishya or Shudra wives for pleasure.

Due to political anarchy, child marriage became common during medieval era which was not prevalent during ancient age. Separation or Divorce was not common during this age and marriage was considered as a permanent bonding of life. However, if divorce did occur, generally the couple's possessions were divided equally and any child stayed with the mother.

Marriage during Sultanate Era- Delhi sultanate period starts with slave dynasty. During this period, the marriage system among the invaders was different to the common people of India. Kings conquered the kingdoms; the conqueror often took away his choice as his bride and the consent of the bride was always not taken.

Marriage during Mughal period- Marriage during the Mughal period became a pomp & show and extravagance. This period was flourishing not only from the historical, economical and administration only, but marriages in this time were significant and memorable.

Marriage system in Modern India

Image courtsey: IANS

In modern days, a vast change has occurred in the marriage system. Government and legislation have interreference in the system. Certain provisions and customs which were prevalent in early ages, were banned and amended during the British rule and later on. Child marriage was banned and Widow remarriage started in 19^th century.

The modern form of Hindu marriage, life partner selection process and age at marriage are result of modern legislation. The rules regard to Varna, caste, sub-caste, endogamy and exogamy, gotra, are prohibited in modern society. Met selection process in modern days has changed and traditional factors in met selection process are no longer associated in arranged marriages. In stead of looking towards the traditional sources of met selection, urban Hindu society is turning towards the modern sources of met selection like, newspaper matrimonial, family connections, marriage bureau, matrimonial websites etc. Today, family, parents and children are given equal opportunity to select a spouse. Society has learnt an art of met selection and understands the demands of modern days.

Now a days, love marriage is as prevalent as arrange marriage. Even, it is seen that love marriages are getting consents of parents and it becomes love cum arrange marriage. Live-in-relationships have become common in urban societies of present time where, individual freedom and liberty of taking decisions has taken places in the family. Modern educated generation is deciding their own way in case of spouse selection.

Conclusion

The institution of Hindu marriage, mediates between individual and society. However, the traditional concept of Hindu marriage from Vedic period to the modern days, has shown its different colours and different shades. From the age of promiscuity to the modern liberal age the system of marriage has got many stages to perform the role and it led the society, accordingly. However today, the institution of marriage is losing its glory and on the name of individual freedom all customs and tradition are being vanished which used to be the jewel of life bound between two.