INTRODUCTION

In the era of man’s ascendancy to power, the institution of marriage came into existence as an  union. No other people have endeavoured to idealize the institution of marriage as the Hindus have done. In the patriarchal society of rig vedic Hindus, marriage was considered as a sacramental union. In the hindu cutsom wife is considered to be of man and she is often referred as ardhangini. From the notion of unity of personality of husband and wife, mutual fidelity of husband and wife is implied. In the Shastra, husband and wife are referred by several names. He is known by the names such as ‘ Bhartri’ (as he is to support his wife), ‘pati’ ( because he is to protect her). On the other hand, wife is known as Jaya, because one’s own self is begotten on her.

Marriage is one of the essential samskaras for every Hindu. The Hindus conceived of marriage as a sacramental union which meant and implied that the marriage between man and woman is of religious and holy character and not a contractual union. It is obligatory for begetting a son, for discharging his debt to the ancestors and for performing religious and spiritual duties. It cannot take place without the sacred rites and ceremonies. Sacramental concept also emphasized that it is a permanent union and it is tie which once tied cannot be untied, i.e. it cannot be dissolved. It is not valid only in this life but in lives to come.

Because of its sacramental nature and not being a contract, consenting mind was not necessary and its absence for any reason was immaterial. Even if the person married was minor or even of unsound mind, and yet if the marriage tie was duly solemnised it was considered to be a valid marriage.

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 has reformed Hindu laws of marriage. Under the modern concept of Hindu marriage, marriage has not remained a sacramental union and has also not become a contract, it has semblance of both. It has a semblance of a contract as consent if of some importance; it has a semblance of a sacrament as in most marriages a sacramental ceremony is still necessary. Marriage confers a status of husband and wife on parties to the marriage and a status of legitimacy on children of marriage. Many of the practices such as the polygamy, polyandry, sati system, child marriage have been abolished. Apart from that there is even an added chapter on matrimonial causes[1].

Forms of Marriage

In ancient Hindu law eightforms of marriage prevailed of which only three were valid before 1955. These were Brahma, Gandharva and Asura. The patrilineal was the widespread system, though matrilineal system prevailed and it it still prevails in some part of South India. The Hi calls a marriage solemnised under this act which may be performed in accordance with shastric rites and ceremonies or in accordance with the customary ceremonies prevalent in the community to which the bridegroom belongs.

Distinction between approved and unapproved marriage is no longer tenable and all marriages performed after the commencement of this act are in approved form. There are two forms of marriage prevalent in the modern Hindu society – 1. Love marriage

                                                                                 2. Arranged marriage.

An arranged  marriage may be either in the Brahma form or the Asura form. Among the High caste Hindus, the Brahma marriage is most common and among the Shudras asura form is more in vouge. Hindu marriage is still a ritual ridden marriage. The ritual is dispensed only when it is not possible to perform it, such as when a love marriage takes place secretly without the participation of parents, or where one of the party is not a Hindu and therefore marriage is performed as a civil marriage.

CEREMONIES OF MARRIAGE

Performance of shastric ceremonies is necessary for the solemnisation of Hindu marriage or the customary ceremonies prevailing in that caste/ community. It is contained in Griha sutras.

On the forenoon of the day when the marriage is to be performed, the father of the bride or his nearest relative, performs the vridhi sraha, i.e. offerings are made to the departed ancestors with a view to obtaining their blessings for the marriage. In the evening the bride groom comes in procession to the bride’s place where he and his party are received with great hospitality.

• Sampradna –   after the arrival of the bridegroom at the bride’s house the first ceremony that is performed is known as sampradana consisting of padya (water) for washing the feet, water mixed with flowers, durva grass, rice and sandal paste for washing the head, a cushion for sitting, and a mixture of honey, curd and gifts. These gifts are made amidst the chanting of mantras.
• Kanyadan –     the father of the bride or in his absence the next guardian for marriage pours out a libation of water symbolising the gift of the bride. In this manner the bride is formally given in gift to the bridegroom who recites the kama sukta and accepts the gift. Certain presents are also made  to the bridegroom, then the father of bride invokes the bridegroom and tells him never to fail the bride in pursuit of dharma, artha, kama and moksha.
• Vivaha homa –   it is known as lightning of fire, which symbolises the divine witness and sanctifier of vivaha samskara. The bridegroom offers oblations to the holy fire in which bride participates by grasping the hands of the bridegroom. These oblations include mahavayahritu homa, i.e. oblations are offered in the honour of earth, sky and heaven.
• Panigrahana –   the bridegroom takes the hands of the bride.
• Laja Loma – bride offers oblations to Aryama, Varuna, pushari ad agni so that the gods may be pleased to free her from their bonds.
• Agni parinayana –  it is popularly known as pheras . According to griha sutras it is three though in practice it is usually five or seven.
• Saptapadi – it is the most important and indispensable ceremony. Near the vivaha mantapa the bridegroom leads the bride for seven steps in the north- eastern direction while reciting certain hymns. This is followed by an address by the bridegroom to the bride. Water is then poured on the hands of the couple and certain prayers are recited.

Section 7(1) Hindu marriage act, 1955 says that a Hindu marriage may be solemnised in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto. Sub- section (2) of section 7 lays down that when rites and ceremonies include the saptapadi, the marriage becomes complete and binding when seventh step is taken.

CAPACITY TO MARRY

During the British period, it was firmly accepted that a Hindu marriage was sacrament and one of the ten necessary samskaras. Only prohibitions that were recognised were on the bases of caste, gotra, religion or blood relationship.

The prohibition on inter caste marriage and sub caste marriage relates to the rule of endogamy. Ancient texts mention two kinds of marriages. –

• Anuloma marriage. -. When a male of superior caste marries a female of inferior caste.

Example –.   A marriage between a Brahman male and Shudra female or Khastriya male with Vaishya female.

• Pratiloma marriage –     when a female of superior caste marries a female of an inferior caste.

Example. – when a shudra male marries a Kshatriya woman or a Vaishya marries a Brahman woman.

Bal Gulab v. Jiwan Lal [2]

During the British period the pratiloma marriages were considered invalid in all schools of Hindu law, but the anuloma were valid in Bombay, Assam and Bengal.

The present situation is that inter caste marriage is valid and was made valid for all Hindus by Hindu marriage validity act, 1949 and inter sub – caste marriage by the Hindu marriage (Removal of disabilities act), 1946. Even the Hindu marriage act, 1955 provides that any two Hindus can perform a Hindu marriage.

According to the rule of exogamy a person is not permitted to marry within the same gotra or parvara or sapindas. Two persons are gotrajas, or belong to the same gotra if they are descendants in the male line from one of the ancient sage after whose name the gotra is designated. Both the Smritis and Griha sutras prohibit sagotra marriage.

Sapinda relationship –

Section 5(v), Hindu marriage act lays down the parties to the marriage is not sapindas to each other. Section 3(f) defines sapinda relationship. Two theories namely oblation and particles of same body theory propounds sapinda relationship.

One person will be sapinda to each other –

If he is in direct degrees of ascent within five degrees to the other through father or three degree of ascent to the other through mother.

The following rules are applied for determining sapinda relationship:

• The sapinda relationship is always traced upward, i.e. in the ascent and not downward, i.e. in the line of descent.
• The computation of the degree is inclusive of the person concerned and the common ancestor.

Registration of marriage –

Registration of marriage is a mode of proof of marriage. Till 1955 registration of marriage was not compulsory nor there was any provision for registration of marriage existed. It was because Hindu marriages have been performed in public with wide publicity and have entered into genealogical books. Under the present act, only the marriage between two Hindus can be registered. For registration of marriage present of both the parties before the registrar is not necessary.

Seema v. Ashwani Kumar [3]

The Supreme Court held that registration of marriage falls within the ambit of the expression “vital statistics”. Therefore marriage of all citizens of India belonging to various religions should be made compulsorily registrable in the states where they are solemnised. The court has given directions to the states to comply with the same.

If no ceremony of the marriage has taken place, mere registration has no meaning. Registration will be null and void. Certificate of registration does not validate an otherwise invalid marriage.

[1]Paras Diwan, Modern Hindu law

[2]1922 , 46 BOM 471

[3]AIR 2006 SC 1158

Aishwarya Says:

I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.

If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.

Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter  Youtube and Instagram.

The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.

If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com

We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.

We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge