History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c26.355

v2.c26.355

*Forms of marriage:* From the times of the gṛhya sūtras dharmasūtras and smṛtis the forms of marriage are said to be eight, viz. Brāhma, Prājāpatya, Ārṣa, Daiva, Gāndharva, Āsura Rākṣasa and Paiśāca (vide Āśv. gṛ. I. 6, Gaut. IV. 6-13, Baud Dh. S. I. 11, Manu III. 21 = Ādi-parva 73. 8-9), Viṣṇu Dh. S 24.18-19, Yāj. I. 58, Nārada (strīpuṁsa, verses 38-39), Kauṭilya III. 1, 59th prakaraṇa, Ādi-parva 102. 12-15 (they are described but not named); some of these arrange the first four differently e. g. Āśv. gṛ. arranges them as Brāhma, Daiva, Prājāpatya and Ārṣa, while Viṣṇu arranges them as Brāhma, Daiva, Ārṣa and Prājāpatya; Āśv. gṛ. I. 6 places Paiśāca before Rākṣasa. The Mānava gṛ. speaks of only two Brāhma and Śaulka (i. e. Āsura) probably because these two were the forms most current. Āp Dh. S. (II. 5. 11. 17-20—II. 5. 12. 1-2) speaks of only six omitting Prājāpatya and Paiśāca; while Vas. Dh. S. I. 28-29 expressly says that there are only six forms of marriage viz. Brāhma, Daiva, Ārṣa, Gāndharva, Kṣātra and Mānuṣa (the last two being the same as Rākṣasa and Āsura). It is impossible for want of space to set out the various definitions of the several forms given by the several authors. There is general agreement on the special characteristics of each and it is sufficient to point out these as given in Manu III. 27-34.