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Bhishma abducted women:

Meanwhile the son of the ocean-going Ganga heard that king Devaka had a daughter endued with youth and beauty and begotten upon a Sudra wife. Bringing her from her father's abode, Bhishma married her to Vidura of great wisdom. And Vidura begot upon her many children like unto himself in accomplishments.'

-- An excerpt of Adi Parva Section CXIV

Krishna abducted women:

Of eyes like the lotus petals, and endued with great bravery, Krishna, vanquishing all the kings at a self-choice, bore away the daughter of the king of the Gandharas. Those angry kings, as if they were horses by birth, were yoked unto his nuptial car and were lacerated with the whip.

-- Excerpt of Drona Parva Section XI

Duryodhana abducted women:

Disregarding all the kings, he commanded the maiden to stop. Intoxicated with the pride of energy, and relying upon Bhishma and Drona, king Duryodhana, taking up that maiden on his car, abducted her with force.

Excerpt of Shanti Parva Section IV

Why was kidnapping such a prevalent custom of marrying women in ancient aryavarta?

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  • It is not a prevalent custom. There are always consequences and punishments for the wrong-doers.
    – user1195
    Commented Jul 8, 2017 at 7:41
  • 2
    Of your three quotes, only third mentions abduction, one done by duryodhana.
    – Aks
    Commented Jul 8, 2017 at 17:10
  • This is like to someone the year 3000 A.D asking 'why were moon landings so frequent during the 20th century?'. It happened only a few times, but because it was so famous, it is remembered for long time in history. you gave 3 examples. Out of how many billions of marriages that would have happened during that time ?? Statistically speaking, how do you know they were 'prevalent' ?
    – ram
    Commented Aug 7, 2019 at 4:05
  • 2
    @Wikash_, if you believe all Hindu epics are fairy tales, what exactly are you doing on this website ?
    – ram
    Commented Aug 11, 2019 at 5:31
  • @ram it has never been okay to abduct people.
    – Wikash_
    Commented Apr 17, 2020 at 7:33

1 Answer 1

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In scriptures 8 types of marriages are described.

Manu Smriti 3.21. (They are) the rite of Brahman (Brahma), that of the gods (Daiva), that of the Rishis (Arsha), that of Pragapati (Pragapatya), that of the Asuras (Asura), that of the Gandharvas (Gandharva), that of the Rhashasas (Rakshasa), and that of the Pisakas (Paisaka)

Also, the following verses describe which marriages are suitable for which Varnas.

3.23. One may know that the first six according to the order (followed above) are lawful for a Brahmana, the four last for a Kshatriya, and the same four, excepting the Rakshasa rite, for a Vaisya and a Sudra.

3.24. The sages state that the first four are approved (in the case) of a Brahmana, one, the Rakshasa (rite in the case) of a Kshatriya, and the Asura (marriage in that) of a Vaisya and of a Sudra.

And, in general,

3.25. But in these (Institutes of the sacred law) three of the five (last) are declared to be lawful and two unlawful; the Paisaka and the Asura (rites) must never be used

Now,

Gandharva marriage:

3.32. The voluntary union of a maiden and her lover one must know (to be) the Gandharva rite, which springs from desire and has sexual intercourse for its purpose.

Rakshasha marriage:

3.33. The forcible abduction of a maiden from her home, while she cries out and weeps, after (her kinsmen) have been slain or wounded and (their houses) broken open, is called the Rakshasa rite.

Pishacha marriage:

3.34. When (a man) by stealth seduces a girl who is sleeping, intoxicated, or disordered in intellect, that is the eighth, the most base and sinful rite of the Pisakas.

So, when both the bride and bridegroom have no problems in marrying, that marriage comes under the Gandharva Rite. This one is acceptable even if kidnapping is involved.

However, the Rakshasa and Pisacha rites, where marriage takes place without the approval of the maiden and with force or stealth being involved, are generally considered as blameable forms of marriages.

For Kshatriyas, however, the Rakshasa marriage is approved as you can see from one of the verses given above.

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  • 2
    The OP is making an anti-Hindu generalisation. Those who violated women were punished and suffered consequences. Your answer does not address the OP's stated and implicit Q. On the contrary, it implies that rakshasa marriage is acceptable.
    – user1195
    Commented Jul 8, 2017 at 7:39
  • 5
    The OP is making an anti-Hindu generalisation- That's ur assumption. I don't have any reasons to do the same. I am just seeing the Q as it is and answering it. Your answer does not address the OP's stated and implicit Q. On the contrary, it implies that rakshasa marriage is acceptable.- I think it is answering. For Kshatriyas that form of marriage is not entirely prohibited. But generally such marriages are condemned. Verses in support of both my these claims are there in my answer itself. Most characters mentioned in the Q are Kshatriyas too. @moonstar2001
    – Rickross
    Commented Jul 8, 2017 at 8:45
  • 'Rakshasa and Pisacha rites...are generally considered as blameable forms of marriages' - can you add references for this statement?
    – Say No To Censorship
    Commented Aug 6, 2019 at 21:14
  • Ok, I see "two unlawful; the Paisaka and the Asura (rites) must never be used" - so this contradicts your last statement: "For Kshatriyas, however, the Rakshasa marriage is approved" - what does approved mean?
    – Say No To Censorship
    Commented Aug 6, 2019 at 21:16
  • @sv. Only Pishacha marraige in the quotr of rickross is named sinful.
    – Wikash_
    Commented Aug 7, 2019 at 4:58

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