Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed, as evidenced by several practices that diverged from prescribed norms.

First, the practice of polyandry was prevalent amongst ruling elites, as described in texts like the Mahabharata. While Brahmanas viewed it as undesirable, it was commonly practised in the Himalayan region and possibly emerged during times of warfare due to shortage of men.

Second, the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognised eight forms of marriage, of which only the first four were considered "good." The remaining four were condemned, yet they were still practised by those who did not accept Brahmanical norms.

Third, evidence from the Satavahana rulers shows significant deviations. Women married to Satavahana rulers retained their father's gotra names (like Gotama and Vasistha) instead of adopting their husband's gotra as required. Additionally, some of these women belonged to the same gotra as their husbands, violating the rule of exogamy.

This practice of endogamy, or marriage within the kin group, was prevalent amongst several communities in south India. Such marriages amongst kinfolk ensured a close-knit community, representing an alternative to Brahmanical prescriptions.