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98
SAMBODHI
SUNANDA Y SHASTRI
physical fitness test including the virility test, after he proposes to the parents of the girl It is said that, "when the fact of his vinlity is placed beyond doubt, he shall obtain the maiden'" Marriage would not take place unless he passed the test The part of maiden's choice and man's virility test bears likeness to the tradition of Swayamvara It is more or less a cross between Swayamvara and an arranged marnage
This betrothal is not indissoluble and could be broken if some fault is found in either of the party It could be even broken if a better suitor approaches for the maiden Marriage takes place only with the chanting of mantras with the ritual of joining hands"
(3) Forms of Marriage
In the sutra and smrti literature, eight different forms of marriage are described They are (1) Brahma Vivaha-It is the one in which a maiden properly decked with ornaments is given to the bridegroom with religious ceremony10
(2) Prajapatya Vivaha-Daughter is given to a virtuous bridegroom with the words, 'fulfil your sacred duties together"
(3) Arsa Vivaha-Father of the bride receives a dress, a bull and a cow, by way of a token gift, from the bridegroom and gives his daughter with proper rituals and ceremony
(4) Darva Vivaha-Darva means fate During a sacrifice, when the host gives his daughter to the officiating priest in the front of the altar it is called Daiva marriage's
(5) Gandharva Viväha-when a maiden and a young man unite through love and mutual desire, it is called Gandharva marriage"
(6) Asura Vivaha-when the price is paid for the bride by the bridegroom, then the bride is given ceremoniously to him, it is Asura marriage's
(7) Raksasa Vivaha-Raksasa means a demon. When a girl who is unwilling and resisting is abducted and forcibly marned it is called Raksasa marriage. (8) Paisāca Vivaha-Pisaca means a ghost, or a basest or foulest thing When a girl is approached while she is asleep or intoxicated or mad or unconscious and raped, and consequently married to the person it is called Paisaca form of marriage
