Hindu mythology includes eight types of Hindu marriages. Some of these marriages were practiced in ancient culture as per the sayings of Hinduism. Among the eight types of marriages, all are not religiously sanctioned but it has been said that the people of ancient India were followers of these Hindu marriages. Marriage is generally considered as a process of uniting two individual souls and at the same time bringing two families close to each other. According to the Hindu philosophy marriage is not just a process of coming together of the individuals but it is a holy bond and a commitment which lasts a lifetime. Even the holy scriptures of the Vedas suggest that an individual should enter the phase of Grihasta after his or her student life. Thus, it can be said that marriage is almost a mandatory custom for all the Hindus.

Hindu religion is based on eternal philosophy of Vedas and this philosophy is well briefed in the six shastras and the Manu Smriti written by the rishis who were philosophers of the Vedas, did practice of Bahiranga Yoga, realised God and Veda mantras within their heart. Those ancient rishis were Manu, Atri, Kambadh, Matang, Patanjali, Vashisth Vyas Muni, and dignitaries like Lord Rama, Sita, Lord Krishna, Brahamcharini Gargi et al along with some other many other rishis of ancient times.

In all the philosophies those of which are still followed in India and especially by the Hindus, the institution of marriage occupies a prominent position. However, according to the eternal philosophy of Vedas, child marriage is not permitted. The age of marriage of a boy is plus 25 and that of a girl is above 18 years. In the middle and present period however the custom of child marriage against Vedas started. Reason may be any but it has created a huge loss for entire humanity. In Manu Smriti shlok 3/21, eight types of marriages have been stated, but of eight the last two are prohibited.

For a Hindu, marriage is a religious ceremony. It is accompanied by the holy yajna and the Veda mantras. The Vedic mantras are chanted wishing a happy life to the couple. The mantras instill a pious feeling into the hearts of the couple. The ritual of marriage is generally performed by a priest or the Brahmana. The concept of caste plays an important role in a Hindu marriage. Almost always a prospective groom or a bride is advised to marry within his or her own caste.

In earlier times, child marriage was a very common institution. Parents decided on the marriages of their children at a very early age. The prime concern of negotiating the marriage was to find out the compatibility between the two families. It was believed during those times that if two persons know each other right from childhood it is easier on their part to understand each other in a better manner. Hence children were married off at very tender ages but the daughter stayed with her parents until she attained the age of puberty. But fortunately today child marriages are completely prohibited and not only that but also the children get a scope to chose their own grooms or brides. Thus, we can say that the Hindu outlook towards marriage has widened its spectrum and has become much tolerant in nature.

According to Manu Smriti there are mainly eight types of marriages that are prevalent in the Hindu philosophy. Among all the eight types the Brahma form of marriage holds a supreme position and this system of marriage do not involve any system of dowry. Brahma Marriage takes place only after the completion of student hood of a boy and in this system the bride`s father ensures that the prospective groom has acquired the knowledge of the Vedas unfailingly.

Daiva Marriage, on the other hand is considered inferior to the Brahma marriage because in this system a woman has to look for her groom that in turn is considered a demeaning practice for a woman. In Daiva marriage the girl is married to a priest during a sacrifice. After waiting for a reasonable period to get a suitable man for their daughter when they fail to find anyone, the girl`s parents go looking for a groom in a place where a sacrifice is being conducted. During this marriage ceremony the girl is well groomed with ornaments and is surrendered to the priest who performs the sacrificial activities.

The word Arsha means Rishi or sage in Sanskrit language and hence, Arsha Marriage suggests marriages with the sages or rishis. In this form of marriage the bride is exchanged for two cows received from the groom. This type of marriage took place because the parents of the bride couldn`t afford the expense of their daughter`s marriage at the right time according to the Brahma rite. So the girl is married off to an old sage.

Unlike the Brahma form of marriage, kanyadan and any kind of monetary transactions do not form important parts in the Prajapatya Marriage. In this form there takes place the joint performance of sacred duties by a man and a woman. According to Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, the father gives his daughter to the bridegroom, by addressing the couple with the mantras, `May both of you perform together your dharma.` This kind of marriage may be similar to Brahma vivah, which may be the origin of Prajapatya vivah but there are certain subtle differences for instance in the Brahma form of marriage the groom`s family sets out to seek a suitable bride for their son.

The Gandharva form of marriage is somewhat similar to present day love marriage. Couples whose union is not blessed by families seek refuge in this custom. The Gandharva Marriage or the marriage of the celestials involves simple exchange of garlands upon which the sanctity of the marriage is confirmed. Reference to this type of marriages is found in a number of epics and mythological texts.

Asura Marriage on the other hand takes place when an unsuitable bridegroom approaches the family of the bride and offers a high `price` to get married to the girl. It could be looked upon as bribe for getting the girl the boy desires even if he is in no way a match for the girl. This system of marriage was not a much desirable form because it involved commoditization of women.

Similarly, the Rakshasa Marriage is also not a desirable form of marriage because it involves the use of force to woo a girl. In this type of marriage the groom fights and wins over the family of the bride and then persuades the bride to marry him. Thus, it can be said that the Rakshasa form of marriage involves improper use of force.

The last and the eighth type of Hindu wedding is the Paishacha Marriage. This type of marriage is considered the most inferior form of Hindu marriage and has been prohibited in the later ages. In this form of marriage, the girl is captured and is forced to marry even against her desires. The groom`s family does not even present anything in cash or kind to the family of the bride.

Hence, it can be concluded that Hindu philosophy encompasses eight different forms of marriages which are very different from each other. But the ultimate aim of all is to unite the two individuals. The rites and rituals of these marriages are different from each other and some of these marriages are still in practiced in Hinduism.