There are eight types of marriage described in Manusmriti (Laws of
Manu):
Rite of Brahmana (Brahma) - where the father of the bride invites
a man learned in the Vedas and a good conduct, and gives his daughter in marriage
to him after decking her with jewels and costly garments.
Rite of the Gods (Daiva) - where the daughter is groomed with ornaments
and given to a priest who duly officiates at a sacrifice during the course
of its performance of this rite.
Rite of the Rishis (Arsha) - when the father gives away his
daughter after receiving a cow and a bull from the brightgroom.
Rite of the Prajapati - (Prajapatya) where the father gives
away his daugher after blessing the couple with the text "May both of
you perform together your duties"
Rite of the Asuras (Demons) - when the bridegroom receives
a maiden after bestowing wealth to the kinsmen and to the bride according
to his own will.
Rite of the Gandharva - the voluntary union of a maiden and her lover,
which arises from desire and sexual intercourse for its purpose.
Rite of the Rakshasa - forcible abduction of a maiden from her home
after her kinsmen have been slain or wounded and their houses broken open.
Rite of the Pisaka - when a man by stealth seduces a girl who is
sleeping or intoxicated or is mentally disbalanced or handicapped.
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