Is marriage really sacred?

September 18 2025, 8 min reading time

Is marriage really an act of sacred emotion? Is marriage something endorsed by religion? Is spirituality an aspect in marriage and religion? If yes, how? If no, why? Know more....

Is marriage really sacred?

Marriage has always been spoken of with a certain reverence as if it were a sacred bridge between two souls, meant to last across lifetimes.

From the time we are young, we are told that marriage is the ultimate milestone, the moment when life becomes “complete.” In Indian tradition especially, marriage is celebrated as a sanskar, a holy ritual that ties not just two individuals but two families together.

But as we step back and look at the world we live in today, this glowing image of marriage seems to clash with the harsh realities we often witness like stories of domestic abuse, dowry harassment, mental cruelty, and broken relationships.

This contrast forces us to ask a question that many hesitate to raise, like is marriage truly as sacred as we have been led to believe, or is its sanctity an idea we hold on to simply because it is comforting?

Why is marriage considered as a sacred vow and the mortal flow?

Marriage is often called a sacred vow because it is seen as a promise not just between two people, but between two souls in front of something higher than themselves, be it God, society, or the universe.

In most traditions, marriage rituals involve symbols of purity, fire, holy water, blessings of elders to remind the couple that their bond carries a spiritual weight. The idea is that marriage is not just about sharing a home but about sharing a life’s journey with commitment and dignity.

It is considered sacred because it demands loyalty, patience, forgiveness, and selflessness, the values that uplift both partners and, by extension, society. This is why people often describe marriage as a path of personal growth.

The vows exchanged whether the seven steps in Hinduism or the “for better or worse” in other cultures serve as a moral compass, guiding the couple through challenges with the understanding that they are bound by something bigger than fleeting emotions.

At the same time, marriage is also a part of the mortal flow as the natural rhythm of human life. Just as birth, growth, and death are inevitable, so too is the desire to connect, to form bonds and to create families.

In this sense, marriage is society’s way of giving structure to a very human need for companionship and continuity. It is the bridge through which one generation flows into the next, preserving values, culture, and lineage.

But being part of the mortal flow also means marriage is not immune to change or decay. Just as rivers shift course over time, relationships too may face conflicts, disillusionments, and even endings.

Seeing marriage as part of this flow helps us accept that while it can be deeply meaningful, it is also human, fragile, and shaped by time, choice, and circumstance. In that acceptance lies the freedom to honor it when it works, and to release it gracefully when it does not.

Is marriage still a holy institution?

The idea of marriage as a holy institution has stood for centuries, wrapped in layers of tradition, rituals, and spiritual symbolism. In many cultures, marriage is still seen as a divine bond where two individuals come together not just to share a life but to fulfill a higher purpose. Religious ceremonies, sacred vows and blessings from elders all add to the aura of sanctity.

For many couples, marriage continues to feel like a sacred commitment as a promise to stand by each other through joy and suffering.

This spiritual dimension gives people a sense of stability and meaning, turning marriage into something more than just a legal or social contract. It becomes a moral compass that guides families and communities toward shared values of loyalty, love and responsibility.

Yet, the question remains whether marriage retains this holiness in today’s world. Modern realities often challenge the traditional image of marriage as flawless and pure. Instances of domestic abuse, forced marriages, and toxic relationships reveal that not all unions uphold the ideals of love and respect they were meant to symbolize.

For many, marriage is no longer an unquestioned sacred duty but a choice and a choice that must serve their happiness and well-being.

People are slowly redefining what makes a relationship meaningful, moving away from blind faith in rituals to focusing on emotional compatibility, equality and mutual growth.

In this sense, marriage can still be holy but only if it reflects its original purpose as a partnership built on respect, consent and shared values, rather than societal pressure or outdated expectations.

When does this sacred institution become a prison?

Marriage becomes a prison the moment love and respect are replaced by control and fear. What was meant to be a partnership turns into a power struggle, where one partner tries to dominate the other emotionally, financially, or even physically.

Many people stay trapped in marriages because of societal expectations, financial dependence or fear of judgment.

In such cases, the vows of companionship and mutual support lose their meaning, and the home which should have been a place of comfort becomes a cage.

This is often seen in relationships where abuse is normalized, where women (and sometimes men) are silenced from speaking about their suffering because “saving the marriage” is seen as more important than saving the person.

This institution also feels like a prison when individuality is sacrificed at the altar of tradition. A partner may be forced to give up education, career, or personal choices just to “fit” into the family’s expectations.

Social pressure to endure toxic relationships, even when they harm mental health, is another way in which marriage becomes restrictive.

When freedom of thought, choice, and expression are taken away, marriage loses the sacredness it once held.

At that point, it stops being a union of two souls and becomes a social obligation that stifles growth, drains happiness, and traps individuals in a cycle of silent suffering.

Is there a middle path to reconcile two realities of marriage?

The answer is yes but it requires courage, compassion, and a willingness to redefine what marriage means for our times. A middle path would neither glorify marriage blindly as an unbreakable bond nor dismiss it as an outdated burden.

Instead, it would treat marriage as a choice, a partnership entered into by two individuals who respect each other’s autonomy, ambitions, and boundaries.

This means encouraging open conversations before marriage about values, expectations, finances, and life goals, so both partners know they are on the same page. It also means that society must shed its stigma around divorce and singlehood, allowing people to leave relationships that are abusive or unfulfilling without judgment.

At the same time, the positive aspects of Vedic teachings such as equality, shared responsibility, and spiritual companionship can still inspire couples to build marriages based on mutual respect rather than compulsion.

The middle path, therefore, lies in balancing tradition with freedom, creating a space where marriage can be sacred not because society demands it, but because the people in it choose to make it so.

Therefore, the potential for sacredness is woven into its oldest ideals. The Vedic vision provides a beautiful, aspirational blueprint for a partnership that elevates both individuals. But the institution itself is not automatically or universally sacred.

It is made sacred by the people in it. It is sanctified by kindness, consecrated by respect, and hallowed by the daily choice to see your partner not as property, but as a person.

When it becomes a tool for abuse, it loses any claim to piety. In such cases, the most courageous and righteous act is to walk away, reclaim one’s own sanctity, and understand that no ancient text should ever be used to justify present-day suffering.

The sacredness was never in the marriage itself. It was always in the humanity of those who choose to build one, together.

Written by: Nikita, Article and Content Writer, Editor, Strategist at Rudraksha Hub

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