Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c7.554

c7.554

In the Gṛhyasūtras we find the description of the difference between a Brāhma and a Śaulkadharma which are therein regarded as the two chief forms of marriage, and in Kāmasūtra 190 ff., according to the commentary, the four regular forms have been dealt with comprehensively. Accordingly, it is probable that the Brāhma Vivāha with its double meaning represented originally the form of marriage appropriate for the Brahmans in contrast to the Kṣātra Vivāha, abduction of women, the marriage form of the Kṣatriyas and the Mānuṣa Vivāha, purchase of women, the marriage form of the common people, and only at a later period this form of marriage was connected with the name of god Brahman and the hierarchy of the eight Vivāhas was established on analogy with the hierarchy of gods and demons.¹ At all events at the present day too there is no difference between the first four marriage forms. The nuptial ceremonies now in practice are generally identified with the Brāhma Vivāha of the Smṛtis.