For Hindus, marriage is not just a union between a man and woman with the intention of living as man and wife or simply a physical relationship where a man and woman live together, bear children and raise a family. It is a much deeper bond. The physical relationship is an essential part of it. Equally important is deep emotional bond that takes the couple towards spiritual bonding.

It is believed that marriage occurs through destiny and is the building of a relationship between two families, where not only the couple, but the other members of the two families also contribute to make it a wholesome relationship.

According to the Vedas, a marriage is a union between two bodies, two minds, two hearts, and two spirits or souls that lovingly resolve to live together just like SHIVA and PARVATI.

In Vedic literature, Rishi Shwetketu has clarified that it was the need for maintaining dignity and propriety of conduct between man and woman that led to the evolution of the institution of marriage. Since then, it has withstood the test of time.

A Hindu marriage solemnised by chanting popular mantras is referred to as Brahm Vivah - a union devoted to the eternal spirit. Manu notes the religious importance of such a marriage.

In Manusmriti, 3/37, it is said:

A son born from a Brahm Vivah absolves the sins of 21 generations. This includes 10 generations of the past and 10 generations of the future, and the current generation. 

In the Bhavishyapuran, it is written that whoever motivates the daughter to marry according to Brahm Vivah rites, protects seven generations of predecessors and seven generations of sucessors from hell.

In this context, the Ashvalayan said:

A son born from a couple married according to Brahm Vivah rites shall purify 12 generations of predecessors and 12 generations of successors.