Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 5
चत्वार एते विप्राणां धर्म्याः पाणिग्रहाः स्मृताः । आसुरः क्रयणाद्द्रव्यैर्गांधर्वोन्योन्य मैत्रतः
catvāra ete viprāṇāṃ dharmyāḥ pāṇigrahāḥ smṛtāḥ | āsuraḥ krayaṇāddravyairgāṃdharvonyonya maitrataḥ
These four are remembered as the dharmic forms of marriage for brāhmaṇas. The Āsura marriage arises from purchase with wealth, while the Gāndharva arises from mutual affection.
Skanda (continuing from 38.1)
Listener: Śaunaka and ṛṣis (frame)
Scene: A didactic tableau: on one side, the four dharmic marriages symbolized by Vedic rites; on the other, Āsura shown as wealth exchange; Gāndharva shown as a couple choosing each other in mutual affection.
FAQs
It contrasts dharmically sanctioned marriage ideals with socially driven forms based on wealth or passion, urging alignment with righteous norms.
No tīrtha is glorified in this verse; it is a normative dharma taxonomy within Kāśīkhaṇḍa.
No detailed rite; it characterizes Āsura as wealth-based ‘purchase’ and Gāndharva as mutual-consent union.