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THE WAY OF LIFE 4. THE DAIVA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The Daiva system of marriage is the name given to that form of marriage in which the father of the girl gives her away in marriage to the brahmin who performs the Yagna (the fire sacrifice) at the time of the marriage, as Dakshina or an honorarium paid to a priest.
These four kinds of marriage take place with the consent of the parents. Therefore in these systems of marriage certain religious and spiritual austerities like worshipping God etc. proper to the life of householders are carried out with ease. Therefore, the Dharmashastras consider these systems as authentic. Now, I will mention the four other systems of marriage which do not enjoy the sanction of the shastras but still take place; therefore, they are mentioned.
5. THE GANDHARVA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The Gandharva system of marriage means the boy and the girl falling in love with each other, and then marrying. In the present-day terminology, this is called a love-marriage.
6. THE ASURA-MARRIAGE
The Asura marriage is the name given to that form of marriage in which the bride is given away in exchange for some monetary consideration. The Kanya-vikraya or the selling of the bride comes under this head.
7. THE RAKSHASA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The Rakshasa system of marriage is the name given to that form of marriage in which someone using physical might abducts the girl and marries her.
8. THE PAISHACHA SYSTEM OF MARRIAGE
The Paishacha marriage is the name given to that form of marriage in which the girl is abducted when she is asleep or in a state of intoxication and the abductor marries her against her will.
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