Anuloma is a

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...

term that is used in the

Manusmriti The ''Manusmṛiti'' ( sa, मनुस्मृति), also known as the ''Mānava-Dharmaśāstra'' or Laws of Manu, is one of the many legal texts and constitution among the many ' of Hinduism. In ancient India, the sages often wrote their ...

, that is the ''Laws of Manu (

Shraddhadeva Manu Vaivasvata Manu (), also referred to as Shraddhadeva and Satyavrata, is the current Manu—the progenitor of the human race in Hindu mythology. He is the seventh of the 14 Manus of the current kalpa (aeon) of Hindu cosmology. Forewarned abou ...

''), to describe a hypergamous union between a high born man and a woman of a lower standing (by birth) relative to the respective man. Manu explains that the evolution of different castes among mankind occurred due to the union of two persons who did not belong to the same rung in the caste or class ladder (by birth and not wealth or status in society) relative to each other. According to Manu, marriage within the same caste, that is, between two persons who belong to the same rung in the ladder, is excellent. ''Anuloma'' marriages are considered as "''going with the grain''" unions. As per

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

scriptures, ''Anuloma'' marriages or unions are not advocated but were tolerated and accepted historically. On the other hand, the reverse union called ''

Pratiloma Pratiloma is a Sanskrit term used in the Manusmriti, that is the ''Laws of Manu (Shraddhadeva Manu''), to describe a hypogamous union between a high born woman and a man of a lower standing (by birth) relative to the respective woman. Manu explain ...

'' marriages, where a high born woman unites with a man of low birth (relative to the woman) was condemned. Manu bitterly criticises and condemns these unions which were considered as "going against the hair or grain" and holds them responsible for the degeneration of the parties involved, subsequent to the union. However, later commentators have come to accept these marriages.

References

{{reflist Hindu law Ancient Indian law Dharmaśāstra