Nine Types Of Marriages in India

In ancient India , nine kinds of marriages were known to exist. While some types were more common, others were practiced only by a particular class.

Swayamvara: This was marriage by self choice. The practice of Swayamvara was most prevalent among the Kshatriya families, in ancient India. When a princess became eligible for marriage, all the princes and kings of friendly countries were invited to the ceremony. When the princess appeared, carrying the jayamala (garland of flowers), they were introduced to her, one by one. The princess could choose any one of them as her husband. Sometimes, the bride placed a condition. A difficult task had to be performed to win her hand. Thus, Arjun had to pierce the eye of a fish fixed to a rotating wheel, with an arrow. But he was required to take the aim by looking at its reflection in a vessel filled with water.

Gandharva: When two persons married for love, it was called Gandharva marriage. Dushyanta, a brave king of the Kuru clan, married Shakuntala, daughter of sage Kanva, in this manner. He met Shakuntala in Kanva's ashram (hermitage) and fell in love with her. As Kanva was away and the king could not stay away from his Capital for long, the couple decided to marry by mutual consent.

Brahma: The bride was gifted to the groom in marriage. Pandu, the brave prince of the Kuru clan, once helped the king of Madra to fight an enemy. Impressed by Pandu's bravery, the king gifted his daughter, Madri, in marriage. Madri later gave birth to Nakul and Sahadev, two of the famous Pandava brothers.

Prajapatya: When a person married for the performance of sacred religious duties, it was called Prajapatya marriage. The wife's presence is necessary when a Hindu householder performs any religious duty. When Ram planned to perform the Ashvamedh sacrifice, he was asked by the priests to marry a second time as he had abandoned his wife, Sita. However, Ram still loved his wife and refused to marry a second time. He made a golden image of Sita and fulfilled the religious duties.

Daiva: A person who performed fire sacrifice gave away his daughter in marriage to the sacrificing priest. Sukanya, a princess, was married to sage Chyavan, in this way. Chyavan is credited with the invention of Chyavanprash , the tonic for eternal youth.

Arsha: Sometimes, a bride was obtained in exchange for a cow or a bull.

Rakshasa: Abduction of a bride. Bhishma, the prince of Kuru clan, abducted princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, for his brother Vichitravirya. Amba refused to accept Vichitravirya as her husband but Ambika and Ambalika were married to him.

Asura: This was the mercenary marriage.

Paishacha: Seizing a bride by force while she was asleep.