Marriage: A Sacrament
“Love is not weakness, It is strong. Only the sacrament of marriage can contain it.”
Origin of marriage –
Marriage comes from the Old French word “Marrier” (to marry) then after some time it becomes “Mariage” and in 250–1300 CE, From Middle English “Mariage” becomes “Marriage” which means a bond/commitment between a man and a woman.
Our life turns towards a new turn with marriage. It creates a Family: entering into a new stage of life. Marriage does not just mean tying an adult[1] man and an adult woman in a relationship; it is a union of two families and two hearts.
Meaning of Marriage –
Marriage means giving a new turn to your life. It creates two persons: an adult man and an adult woman, a partner for the rest of their life. Marriage creates a bond between an adult man and an adult woman and in their families too. Marriage is not a contract but it is a sacrament[2] which is conferred by a priest and blessings of elders in front of God.
When, How and by whom marriage is discovered? –
As hunter-gatherers settled down into agrarian civilizations, society had a need for more stable arrangements. The first recorded evidence of marriage ceremonies uniting a woman and a man, dates from about 2350 B.C., in Mesopotamia.
Over the next several hundred years, marriage evolved into a widespread institution embraced by the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans.
The Legal Perspective –
The concept of marriage is to establish a relationship between an adult man (husband) and an adult woman (wife). They should be of sound mind, capable of giving free consent, and not subject to recurrent attacks of insanity or epilepsy. Based on Hindu law, marriage is a sacred tie and the last of ten sacraments that can never be broken. Also, it is a relationship that is established from birth to birth.
According to Hindu law, there are certain prerequisites and conditions for a valid marriage which lays down by the personal laws to solemnize a legal marriage.
A legally performed marriage will fulfill sections 5 – 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act,1955[3]. Marriage provides new rights and obligations to both partners and thus changes their legal status too. Some legal functions ensure the rights of both partners with respect to each other and define the relationships of children within a community. After marriage wife is legally entitled to sections 18 and 25 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, of 1956[4].
Necessity of marriage –
Marriage is the beginning and a turning point in both partner’s life and it is the beginning of the family and it is a life-long commitment. It also provides an opportunity to serve your wife and children. Marriage is more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union. Every Hindu must marry. “To be mothers were woman created and to be fathers men.”
Marriage not only makes the partners happy but boosts your life expectancy too and this phenomenon is scientifically proven. Marriage also provides economic and emotional stability and is good for society too since married couples have a strong sense of responsibility. The importance of marriage is not to the extent of one generation but it is an in-depth belief of Hinduism[5]. Without a wife, a person is considered incomplete while performing any rites of Hinduism. It is very important to perform all the rites with the wife.
Impact of marriage –
The Hindu marriage act provides guidance for the Hindus to be in a legal marriage[6] bond. It cohabits rights for both the partners and safety for their family and children so that they do not suffer from any parental issues.
Conclusion –
Basically, marriage is considered a sacrament in Hindus and it is a ‘sanskara’ or purificatory ceremony obligatory for every Hindu.
Marriage represents a multi-level commitment, one that involves person-to-person, family-to-family, and couple-to-state commitments. In all societies, marriage is viewed as a relatively permanent bond, that in some societies it is virtually irrevocable.
References –
- Marriage.
- Marriage is not a contract but it is a sacrament.
- First recorded evidence of marriage.
- Valid marriage.
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
- Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, of 1956.
Economic and emotional stability.
[1] Section 5(3) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
[2] Hindu marriage is a sacrament.
[3] The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (25 of 1955), became law on the 18th May, 1955.
[4] The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, (78 of 1956).
[5] A religion, a religious tradition or a way of life.
[6] Section 7 of Hindu Marriage Act,1955.