Significance of Marriage
Synonyms: Union, Matrimony, Partnership, Alliance, Nuptials, Commitment, Wedding
In Dutch: Huwelijk; In Finnish: Avioliitto; In Spanish: Casamiento; In German: Hochzeit; In Swedish: Äktenskap; In Malay: Perkahwinan; In Italian: Matrimonio; In French: Mariage; In Portugese: Casado; In Polish: Małżeństwo
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Marriage'
Buddhism views marriage ambivalently. It's seen as undesirable for those focused on compassion, and also describes romantic relationships that lead to socially unacceptable sexual activity.
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) The development of romantic relationships between men and women, often resulting in sexual encounters seen as socially unacceptable.[1]
From: Mahavamsa
(1) The king and his sons decided to give Citta in marriage to Gamani, but with the intention of slaying their son if it was a boy.[2]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) A connection that those led by mercy alone do not desire to establish with men.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Marriage'
In Hinduism, marriage is a crucial rite of passage into the householder stage, a social contract with varying forms and significance across castes. It involves Vedic rites, household duties, and considerations of virginity and age.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) "Marriage" in the context of the Asura form involves a transaction where wealth is exchanged for the bride, differing from other forms of unions.[4] (2) Marriage is performed after the bridegroom is chosen, solidifying the giving away of the daughter and formally establishing the husband's ownership over her.[5] (3) The term 'wife' applies to a woman who has undergone a specific sacrament, which signifies the bond between a man and a woman.[6] (4) Marriage involves selecting a wife who meets specific criteria, including being of the same caste, possessing auspicious signs, and originating from a noble family.[7] (5) The sacrament of 'marriage' establishes the husband's right to the offspring, specifically the son born within that marital bond, as acknowledged by learned individuals.[8]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) Marriage involves rituals such as seizing hands, verses, and sacrifices performed with specific orientations and items, like water-pots and gold, to ensure happiness and offspring.[9]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A ceremony where the groom is covered with a cloth or curtain, and the bride walks around him seven times.[10] (2) Those based on sense gratification between ordinary men and women are known as bandhana, or bondage, while the pastimes of Shri Gaura-Narayana lead to liberation.[11] (3) Specifically referring to wedding ceremonies or unions, which are used as a point of comparison for assessing the grandeur of the present event.[12] (4) This event between Nimai and Lakshmidevi, arranged after initial hesitation, brought opulence and auspiciousness to Shacidevi’s household, marking a significant turning point.[13] (5) Marriage is the arrangement being discussed by His mother and father, causing distress.[14]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) It signifies a formal union and legal contract between two individuals, establishing rights, responsibilities, and a socially recognized partnership.[15] (2) Refers to the specific event of marriage being discussed in relation to Radha and Krishna.[16] (3) The cultural and personal act that the speaker contemplates concerning their daughters, reflecting a significant social custom in the text.[17]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) This is a union that has been forbidden due to another's envy, causing distress and sleeplessness for those involved.[18] (2) Contextualized as events where dependents demonstrate independence, highlighting the complex reality of performing duties while maintaining some level of self-agency.[19]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) The marriage between Satyabhama and Shri Krishna is arranged by Satrajit to atone for his false accusation and to restore honor, with the jewel given as dowry.[20] (2) The marriage of Shri Krishna Chund and Rookmunee Jee is the central event, involving prescribed rites, ceremonies, and celebrations in Dwarka, signifying the union of two important figures.[21]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The event used as an analogy by Bhattarya to explain the Alvar's actions, referencing a girl's departure from her parental home.[22]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This lot results from subtracting Saturn from Venus at all times, according to the procedures described within the text.[23] (2) The legally or socially recognized union of two people.[24] (3) This is one of the sahamas, a set of concepts that aid in the outcomes of all the houses, in the same manner that fate supports the endeavors of people.[25] (4) This is one of the sahamas, representing the formal union of two people as partners in a relationship, as stated in the text.[26] (5) This keyword represents the union of two individuals in a committed relationship, which is considered an aspect of the twelfth house in astrological judgments, as explained in the given text.[27]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) This is the main subject, with details about the arrangements, auspicious timing, and the union of different houses and individuals.[28] (2) Refers to the union of individuals, such as the Rakshasi given to the King of the Kalakas and Shurpanakha presented to Vidyujjihva. Another instance involves Maya giving his daughter Mandodari to Dashagriva.[29]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) It is proposed by ministers for the prince and the youthful daughter of the king of Syrastra, considered a proper match for him due to her age.[30]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The union between Arjuna and Drupada's daughter that evolved into an arrangement where she would be the wife of all five Pandava brothers.[31]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) Marriage is presented as a sacred deed and a cause of gaining Svarga and final emancipation, as insisted upon by Ruci's forefathers.[32]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Marriage is a socially or religiously recognized union that creates rights and obligations; it is referenced in the text regarding different forms and customs.[33] (2) Kankanam, a yellow thread, such as is used in Hindu marriages and once to be used in satis, to which a betel leaf is fastened, is tied on her right wrist by the senior basivi present. A marriage song is then sung by the basivi and married women (not widows), who throw yellow rice over the girl.[34] (3) The marriage of the King of Vatsa and Vasavadatta is a major event, celebrated with appropriate ceremonies and a high festival after Gopalaka arrives.[35] (4) The ceremony during which Vayuvegayashas expressed her reluctance and the subsequent events that unfolded, revealing a complex agreement and the involvement of other maidens.[36]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) Agreements among higher castes allow bride rejection before a specific ritual, but among Shudras, it is before nuptials, with conditions for rejection even after the rite if certain faults are discovered.[37] (2) This refers to a strategic alliance between kingdoms, a political tool that can be used to create alliances, solidify relationships, or potentially manipulate the other kingdom involved in the relationship.[38]
Jain concept of 'Marriage'
In Jainism, marriage involves a key event, like that of Kamalamela and Nabhahsena, alongside unions such as Vasudeva and Kapila. It fundamentally includes taking a woman as a wife.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The central conflict revolves around the arrangement of one for Sita, with multiple parties vying for her hand and causing tension.[39] (2) It is a subject the prince is initially averse to but eventually consents to out of regard for his parents.[40] (3) The event that is a focal point of the text, specifically involving Kamalamela and Nabhahsena.[41] (4) The union between Vasudeva and Kapila that follows the events described.[42]
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) This involves the act of taking a woman for a wife, which is a fundamental element within the provided text.[43]
The concept of Marriage in local and regional sources
The text explores marriage as a union, social contract, and legal agreement, highlighting diverse perspectives, expectations, and challenges across social classes and personal experiences, including love, hardship, societal norms, and individual desires.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) It is portrayed as a complex institution with changing attitudes towards it, divorce, and the equality of the sexes, as seen through the characters' experiences and beliefs.[44] (2) Marriage is described as having a little happiness but many responsibilities, particularly for a girl, involving potential harassment from the mother-in-law and quarrels with the sister-in-law.[45] (3) Marriage is the ultimate goal of the characters, but Sri's test is designed to ensure that the foundation of their marriage is built on genuine love, forgiveness, and acceptance, rather than superficial attraction.[46] (4) The narrator received letters from Raghu and Shanthi inviting them to Rekha's marriage, which brought back memories of their time in Rampur.[47] (5) The marriage of the daughter, Jaya, was celebrated with minimal expense, reflecting the father's frugal nature and lack of understanding of social customs.[48]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Marriage is described as the truest goal for most people, with the belief that it leads to the happiest life if one learns to bear, forbear, and compromise.[49] (2) A tradition the author sees as a brutality that slaughters hopeful boys.[50] (3) An institution that has brought hardship to Sturdy, with his experience being described as difficult and causing him much suffering.[51] (4) A subject that formed a large part of the lecture, with differing rules and expectations across different social classes, including the practice of not marrying one's mother.[52] (5) Marriage is presented as a decision with potential consequences, suggesting that bringing down ideals is important to avoid misery for both parties.[53]
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) An arrangement made by the young man's parents, unaware of his relationship with the bonga girl.[54] (2) Marriage is a central theme, as the parents' quest revolves around finding the most suitable husband for their daughter, reflecting social concerns about status and caste within the community.[55] (3) The legal union between the husband and the wife, which was ended by the divorce.[56] (4) The union that takes place between the princess and the caterpillar boy despite initial embarrassment from her parents.[57] (5) The ultimate goal for Kora, which he manages to achieve despite the initial setbacks.[58]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) An event that Shri Krishna invited several people to.[59] (2) The marriage is the central event being arranged, with agreements made and conditions set forth, forming the core of the narrative's conflict.[60]
From: Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka
(1) It is one of the events with which the ceremony is associated. It is generally known as sanghika-dana, meaning the alms given to the community of monks.[61]
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) The union between the Prince and the teacher's daughter, which became a central point of conflict and betrayal.[62] (2) The Pied Robin said she was going to look for a suitable marriage when asked where she was going by the Jackal, the blind man, and the Hunchback.[63] (3) Marriage is a central theme, starting with the Prince and Princess, and the obstacles they face in maintaining their relationship.[64] (4) Refers to the social union or legal contract between two individuals, in this case indicated as 'diga' in the text.[65] (5) A union that Tamarind Tikka seeks, asking his uncle for his daughter’s hand in marriage.[66]
The concept of Marriage in scientific sources
Marriage, a union between individuals, can be a source of stress, impacting mental health. It also signifies the marital status of those involved, representing a personal characteristic.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Marriage is a fundamental and universal human institution that describes a culturally endorsed relationship involving sexual intimacy, shared residence, economic collaboration, procreation, and joint childrearing responsibility.[67] (2) Marriage is explored in the context of Pentecostal teachings, which present fidelity between partners as the ideal model, especially in a context where polygamous unions are socially accepted, shaping converts’ moral selves.[68] (3) Marriage is one of the topics related to women that Martin Luther wrote about extensively, along with sexuality and the family, found throughout his works.[69] (4) Concerns the conditions and consequences of the union of two parties, which are then medially conceptualised, produced, and regulated within the context of church history.[70] (5) Marriage is presented as a godly state, celebrated in early modern England, and contrasted with the Catholic ideal of monastic celibacy in Shakespeare's comedies and romances.[71]
From: Religious Inquiries (Journal)
(1) According to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s), **marriage** is the most sacred construction that human beings can build, and its destruction by divorce is the permissible act that is most disliked in the sight of God.[72] (2) This is the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.[73] (3) Marriage is a way to ensure the continuation of a healthy and wholesome life, providing intimacy, affection, and companionship, and fulfilling emotional-mental needs to find peace of mind.[74] (4) Marriage holds a special position in different cultures and religions, and is the natural vocation of a human being, which enables him to achieve peace and tranquility.[75]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) Marriage is viewed as a more serious commitment, consolidating traditional gender roles, and is associated with happiness and tradition, often seen as the next step after dating and parenthood.[76] (2) It is mentioned as a factor that, along with others like population density and GDP, does not have a mediating effect on suicidal behavior.[77] (3) It is a variable with coefficients and p-values indicating the statistical significance of relationship with memory, orientation, executive function and global cognition.[78] (4) Is a union between individuals, and with or without, you feel bored and lonely, but you have a spiritual anchor that will always sustain you.[79] (5) The effect was amplified in the adjusted model for, respectively, 1.54 (95%CI 1.11–2.17), 2.3 (1.72–2.94), and 1.59 (1.20–2.13) times less likely to have unmet needs of family and community respect as well as unmet marriage needs.[80]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) It is a life event that has been studied in relation to how managers perceive and approach risk in their professional roles.[81] (2) It is a variable indicating marital status, with '0' representing single and '1' representing married, according to the data utilized in the analysis.[82] (3) The term marriage is referenced in studies analyzing its relationship with various factors, including home ownership, inflation, education, and the timing of births.[83] (4) It is the marital status of an individual, influencing health outcomes and considered as a control variable in studies.[84] (5) one of the control variables, alongside gender, age, education, tenure, and employment type, as applied in relevant studies to manage extraneous influences.[85]
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) This refers to the marital status of the participants, and is a characteristic.[86] (2) This is a union between individuals, and depending on the circumstances surrounding it, it can be a source of stress for those involved, potentially leading to adverse mental health consequences.[87]
From: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics
(1) This often provides emotional support, companionship, and a sense of stability, contributing positively to overall QoL.[88]
From: South African Journal of HIV Medicine
(1) Two other factors complicate the above system, i.e. (i) inheritance in terms of traditional indigenous/cultural/ religious systems and (ii) marriage and life partnerships.[89]
From: South African Journal of Psychiatry
(1) Marriage is a social contract that has been a feature of human societies throughout history, where individuals publicly declare their status and conform to rituals.[90] (2) Family violence also adversely affected marriages; a significant number of women who indicated that they were not enjoying their marriages had experienced family violence.[91]
Classical concept of 'Marriage'
From: The Odyssey of Homer (English translation)
(1) Marriage is discussed when people think there is a wedding in the house, and Ulysses and Penelope reaffirm their marriage, solidifying their bond after years of separation.[92] (2) Marriage is a central conflict, as the suitors pressure Penelope to remarry, and she uses stratagems to avoid it, illustrating her resistance and loyalty to Ulysses.[93] (3) A union between two people, which Penelope detests but knows she will eventually have to yield to with one of the suitors.[94] (4) A union that people are not making offers of in the usual way, instead wasting an estate by force.[95] (5) It is referenced in the context of the queen preparing for it with one of the suitors, unaware of the plot against her son.[96]
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) The marriage between Megacles and Agariste was determined by Cleisthenes, which brought renown to the Alcmaionidai over all Hellas, highlighting the importance of strategic alliances.[97] (2) Marriage is mentioned as the ultimate goal of Cleisthenes' search for the best man of all the Hellenes, highlighting its importance in social and political alliances.[98] (3) A practice involving the sale of maidens, where the most comely were sold to wealthy men, and the less comely received dowries from the sale of the beautiful ones.[99] (4) They marry several lawful wives and also have a much larger number of concubines.[100] (5) Marriage was arranged for Crsus' son Atys, and it was during this time that a man under a misfortune, Adrastos, came to Sardis.[101]
From: The Authoress of the Odyssey
(1) A recurring theme involving multiple characters. The arrangements and motivations surrounding this are explored.[102] (2) A situation that is causing distress to a character, who is lamenting its impending occurrence and her inability to sleep because of it.[103] (3) Marriage is an upcoming event for Nausicaa, which is the reason Minerva prompts her to wash the family linen in preparation for the bridegroom's arrival, though he has not yet been decided upon.[104]
From: The Argonautica (English translation)
(1) A union that was prepared for the maiden in a sacred cave, underscoring the significance of tradition and the involvement of divine elements in this event.[105] (2) Marriage is mentioned as a reason why the characters might have come, questioning whether they did so in scorn of their countrywomen.[106]
From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)
(1) The central conflict revolves around the Lion's desire for Marriage with the woodcutter's daughter, which initiates the series of events that lead to the Lion's downfall.[107]
From: The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle
(1) The text notes that to "marriages" people invite their kinsfolk, for these have a part in the family and therefore in the doings that affect the family.[108]
From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World
(1) "Marriage" with a younger sister was considered proper, while marrying an elder sister or aunt was incestuous, with the elder sister representing the mother.[109]