“Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupation were not universally followed in ancient times. ” Give arguments in support of your answer.

According to the religious text of Hindus- Manusmriti, there existed eight types of marriages in the Hindu tradition called the Ashta vivaah.

1. The first four forms of marriages were known as Prashsta forms, these being the approved marriages. The next four marriages were called the Aprashatsa form, these were regarded as undesirable.

2. Moreover, according to the Hindu laws, the social practices which were not up to the mark as per the brahminical ideas were regarded as undesirable and an uncivilized one.

3. However, despite all these traditions and rules and regulations there did exist Anuloma and Pratiloma kinds of marriages.

Some of these examples are-

Bhima getting married to the asura Hidimba despite of the prescribed laws of the dharmashastra.