Marriage in Hinduism

A Bengali Hindu couple during their wedding ceremony
A North Indian couple wearing traditional attire during a ring ceremony
A Rajput Hindu couple making an offering during their wedding ceremony
A Tamil Hindu couple during their wedding ceremony

The Hindu marriage (Sanskrit: विवाह, romanizedVivāha, lit.'Marriage') is the most important of all the samskaras, the rites of passage described in the Dharmashastra texts.[1]

Variously defined, it is generally described to be a social institution for the establishment and regulation of a proper relationship between the sexes, as stated by Manu. Marriage is regarded to be a sacrament by Hindus, rather than a form of social contract, since they believe that all men and women are created to be parents, and practise dharma together, as ordained by the Vedas.[2] The Brahmanas state that a man is only said to be "complete" after marrying a woman, and acquiring progeny.[3]

  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-03). "Vivaha, Vivāha: 32 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  2. ^ Rao, CN Shankar (September 2004). Sociology of Indian Society. S. Chand Publishing. pp. 102–103. ISBN 978-81-219-2403-0.
  3. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2021-07-12). "Definition and Types of Marriage [Part 2.1-2]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-29.