Vivaha or marriage is considered cardinal among the sixteen sacraments. Since Garhasthya (householder's life) is the basis for all the other Ashramas, it has
been highly eulogized in the Hindu scriptural works. Satisfying lust is not the basic aim of the sacrament of marriage. Spiritual progress leading to God realization through a disciplined life in which we find self
control, companionship with the spouse and other members of the family as well as selfless service is the real aim of the married life. It is a co operative venture of husband and wife in the field of the four Purusharthas. It is Dharma that has united them. That is why in Hinduism matrimony is considered too sacred to be dissolved. The sacrament commences with Kanyadana (gifting away the maiden to the bridegroom) by her father. Vivaha homa, offerings in a duly consecrated fire, with appropriate mantras is the next important step.

Panigrahana, the clasping of the  bride's hand by the groom, which comes next, symbolizes the transfer of the responsibility of her protection from her father to the former,Saptapadi, the rite in which the couple walk seven steps together is the most important stage which puts the legal seal on the marriage. At this point, the bride  crosses over to the Gotra (lineage of family) of her husband. Suryaloka seeing the sun, is another item in the process which indicates that the sun himself is the witness to this ite.

Asmarohana  (stepping on a block of stone) and Arundhati Darsana (seeing the tiny star Arundhati, or Alcor in the Great Bear) are two other parts of the ritual which assert that the ties of marriage should be firm and steady. Antyeshti (the last sacrifice), the last of the sacraments, is the rite of consigning the body to the fire after death. It is a sacrament performed by his relatives for his good and future well being, since he has endeavoured throughout his life to  Purify himself by appropriate Samskaras.

Though performed  after one's death, it does not lose its significance in any way; for, in the eyes of a Hindu, after life is as important, if not more important, than life here and now. Pouring the sacred water of Ganga and offering a Tulasi leaf into the mouth of a dying person is the usual tradition. The body is then carried to the burial ground and buried or cremated according to the custom of the family. If buried, a small mound or memorial may be raised at the Place. If cremated, bones and ashes are gathered later on in an urn and consigned to the waters of a river or sea. Sraddha or obsequial rites are an important aspect of Antyeshti. 

 Out of these Samskaras, only Namakarana, Vivaha and Antyesti are common to all sections of the Hindu society, though there may be variations in the details. 

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