One of the eight methods to conduct a marriage that the Dharma Shastras, or religious treatises, acknowledge (dharma).
- The bride's father gets a pair of cattle from the bridegroom with the idea that the animals would be used for sacrifice in an arsha marriage.
- This was formerly considered one of the four acceptable types of marriage (prashasta weddings), but it went out of favor due to the shame attached to receiving any kind of gift for the bride, even one that was expressly designated for sacrifice.
- Because of the implied sacrifice rituals, the shape was called after the rishis (sages).
Related to - The eight classical types of marriage.
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