Asura Vivaha is one of the eight types of marriage legally valid in Hindu religion. Asur Vivah is that in which the husband gives as much wealth to the bride and he relatives as he can, and marries her. In this category of marriage the main consideration was the wealth (money) so given. It other words, it was, a sort of bargaining. However, as compared to paishacha and rakshasa type, it was better and more civilized kind. Such examples are to be found in Rig Veda, where, for the consideration of the money received, the daughter was given away to anyone without any thought about his worthiness or incapability.
Samhitas have condemned the infidelity and treachery of a purchased wife. This custom was prevalent during the Mahabharata period. Bhishma had obtained brides for the Kuru princes by paying their fees. Perhaps this was almost a custom then.
Gradually, as marriage acquired a religious character, the authors of Sutras considered the acceptance of money by the bride’s father as improper. The authors of Smritis criticize this practice. According to Manu, the bride’s father must not accept money. Acceptance of money is fraudulently making a sale of the daughter. According to Sutras, a woman purchased for money cannot be given a wife’s status. She has no right in observing daiva (godly) or pitrya (posthumous rites for ancestors) rites. She is only like a maid in this type of marriage.