"Marriage is a natural and beautiful institution between a man and a woman. It's wrong for judges and politicians to destroy marriage, which is the very foundation of society."
--- Randy Thomasson
(executive director, campaign for Californian Families)

When mankind's first couple, Adam and Eve, was roaming the Garden of Eden, marriage was too far from their minds, one would guess. Since there was no human soul inhabiting the planet earth then, they didn't need to declare their natural bonding to anyone.

If there were anyone else, they would have, and then there could have been celebration in the presence of others and thus Adam and Even would have publicly entered into an institution of marriage, without a legal certificate though.

Since the first man and woman, the mother and father of all of us, mythologically speaking, several couples have got united in a bond, which is legally binding, socially sanctioned and is completed through rituals with all the festivities and celebrations in the presence of family members and friends.

Laws of marriage are found in the Hindu scriptures in the writings of Manu. Manu Smrti dates back to 200 bc.

However, any authentic recorded history of the beginning of institution of marriage is almost impossible to trace. But institution of marriage has existed in almost all societies, even before the idea of love and romance took root in cultures around the world.

Human need for association with the opposite sex has been deeply recognized by various communities and religions. It is this recognition which is the root for the emergence of institution of marriage. The intent is that couples take responsibility towards each other and remain committed. Also, through this institution society can arrange itself into neat family units and bring about coherency and security to all.

The institution is not a private bond between a man and a woman but essentially a publicly recognized contract, a family unit, which gives its consent to a man and a woman to legally engage in sexual relationship, procreate, nurture and provide legal and homely security to children.

The family lineage and history, issues of inheritance and security of property and bonding of blood relations for generations all emanate only through this institution.

In our times, many men and women tie the nuptial knot after they fall in love or at least come to know each other. The institution of marriage and rituals performed to enter the institution are public declaration of their love and desire to be with each other.

In spite of the fact that traditional marriage has become a brunt of several jokes today and is being scoffed at by many, the bond of marriage can be sweet and full of warmth.