Marriage is a pure and sacred bond between two souls who are bonded together for seven lives with the blessings of God. Religion holds the upper hand in Hindu tradition. Marriage is a social truth of Hindu tradition and is tied to seven promises that are made by the bride and the groom while encircling the holy fire and admitting to being with each other in the presence of the gods. Marriage is given great importance in Hindu tradition and is linked to the Gods and Goddesses.
Whenever a talk about marriage occurs in Hindu tradition, there is always a mention of Shiv ji and Mata Parvati. They are considered the epitome of love, connection, and commitment, forming the beautiful and sacred bond of a matrimonial alliance. To have the desired match, girls often keep fast and worship Lord Shiva. Even after getting married, women keep the Karwa Chauth fast for the long lives of their husbands. This is all included and is based on Hindu religious beliefs, traditions, and culture.
The primary purpose of marriage in Hindu tradition is related to the procreation of human beings. Marriage is performed to continue the lineage of a family. It is done to have offspring, especially male offspring, that can carry on the bloodline of the ancestors. Though marriage is a spiritual union between two individuals, it does come with social responsibilities that must be performed. A couple is required to carry out some duties based on the already established traditions. Marriage is said to be a way of repaying the gods and ancestors.
One cannot deny that Hindu tradition is all about religion, customs, and beliefs. The event of marriage has religious significance attached to it. There are many religious duties and rituals that are to be performed in pairs only. An individual is bound to get married to fulfil religious duties. Marriage is performed with full faith. A matrimonial alliance is seen as the spiritual union of two individuals with each other as well as with God. It is said that marriage is a way of reaching your higher self. It comes with the spiritual awakening of the soul when two souls are tied together with the sacred thread of God's blessings.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and in Hindu tradition, there is no such thing as getting divorced if the marriage does not work out. Though today, with changed times, divorce is considered for failed marriages, traditionally, the idea of getting divorced is neither accepted nor appreciated. It is believed that the hardships of marriage are the test that God puts the couple through.
Horoscopes and astrology play a major role when it comes to marriages in Hindu tradition. They are believers in astrology and match birth charts before getting into a matrimonial alliance. There are many rituals performed to get rid of any problems that might delay marriage or destroy married life.
Marriage is more like a social obligation than a personal choice. One has to get married to fulfill his or her duty towards society, religion, and the family. In Hindu tradition, marriages are normally arranged after finding a suitable match. Before finalising anything, a proper background check is run on both potential partners. The idea of having a love marriage is not accepted wholeheartedly in Hindu tradition. Traditionally speaking, marriage is also done to have a proper and systemised domestic life where the man of the house works and the woman of the house performs her duties towards her husband, family, and children.
The importance of marriage in Hindu tradition is not limited to one aspect of life. It influences almost everything in an individual's life. Starting from religious duties to social duties to family duties, every duty is to be performed without negligence. If we consider the Sanskrit writers, then marriage in Hindu tradition is a form of Samskara. Getting married is the second-most important stage of life after getting born. Marriage opens up the doors to more social institutions, including the creation of a family.
