Eight types of Marriages in Hinduism

              Though the concept of marriage changed with time, marriage remains a crucial part of our life. Marriage holds a very special place in almost every culture. In the Hindu culture, it is one of the most crucial rites de passage in a person's life. After marriage, a man as well as a woman enter a new sphere of life. According to the Hindu scriptures, a man and a woman should get married only when they have completed their education. This basically means that a marriage should take place only when both the individuals are able to take up the responsibilities. They should love and respect each other. By complimenting each other in various spheres of life, husband and wife should work towards making their marriage successful. Talking of Hindu marriages, it is interesting to know that ancient Hindu texts tell us about various forms of marriages. Many of you will be surprised to know that there are 8 different types of marriages in Hinduism.

• Rite of Brahmana (Brahma) - where the father of the bride invites a man learned in the Vedas and a good conduct, and gives his daughter in marriage to him after decking her with jewels and costly garments.
• Rite of The Gods (Daiva) -where the daughter is groomed with ornaments and given to a priest who duly officiates at a sacrifice during the course of its performance of this rite.
• Rite of the Rishis (Arsha) - when the father gives away his daughter after receiving a cow and a bull from the brightgroom.
• Rite of the Prajapati (Prajapatya)- where the father gives away his daughter after blessing the couple with the text "May both of you perform together your duties"
• Rite of the Asuras (Demons)- when the bridegrrom receives a maiden after bestowing wealth to the kinsmen and to the bride according to his own will..
• Rite of the Gandharva - the voluntary union of a maiden and her lover, which arises from desire and sexual intercourse for its purpose.
• Rite of the Rakshasa - forcible abduction of a maiden from her home after her kinsmen have been slain or wounded and their houses broken open.
• Rite of the Pisaka - when a man by stealth seduces a girl who is sleeping or intoxicated or is mentally disbalanced or handicapped.

                The brahma marriage is for all castes. Other forms of marriage are also permitted for non-Brahmins, also post-puberty marriage. If the idea is to give importance to carnal pleasure these other forms may be permitted. But brahma is the best if the purpose of the marriage samskara is the advancement of the self.