Marriage

Seven Pheras

First Step :
Couple: “With our God as our guide, let us now take the first step to live with honour and respect. Let us walk together so we may get food.”.

Second Step :
Couple: “Let us be happy and enjoy our life. Let us walk together so we may grow together in strength.”

Third Step :
Couple: “Let us share our joys and pains together. Let us walk together so we may get wealth.”

Fourth Step :
Couple: “Let us not forget our parents and elders. Let us walk together so we may find happiness by sharing our joys and sorrows.”

Fifth Step :
Couple: “Let us observe all acts of charity. Let us walk together so we may have family.”

Sixth Step :
Couple: “Let us live a long and peaceful life together. Let us walk together so we may have joy.”

Seventh Step :
Couple: “Let us be friends with love and sacrifice. Let us walk together so we may have friendship.”

Groom says to the Bride: “With seven steps we have become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be severed from me.”

Mounting The Stone

Asmaarohana: (Mounting the stone).
At the end of each round of nuptial fire, both the Groom and the Bride step on a stone and offer a prayer for their mutual love to be firm and steadfast like the stone.

The bridegroom says the words while the bride stands up:

“Come, beautiful one.”

And lets her put the tip of the right foot on the stone, saying:

“Come, step on the stone;

Be strong like a stone.

Resist the enemies;

Overcome those who attack you.”

Hradayasparsh: Touching the Heart

The bridegroom touches the heart of the bride over her right shoulder:

“I hold your heart in serving fellowship, your mind follows my mind.
In my word you rejoice with all your heart.
You are joined to me by the Lord of all creatures.”

The Oblation of Parched Grain

The Bride offers sacrifice of food to the Gods for their blessings. (the rice is poured into her hands by her brother, or someone acting on her brothers behalf)

“This grain I spill. May it bring to me well-being and unite you to me. May Agni hear us.”

He then causes the bride to spill the grain into the fire, saying :

“This woman scattering grain into the fire, prays: Blessings on my husband. May my relatives be prosperous.

‘Svaha!’ ”

Holding the Hand

Bridegroom stands facing west, while the bride sits facing him(east).

Bridegroom takes the Brides hand:

“O Sarasvati, gracious one,

rich in off spring,

you whom we hymm first of all the Gods,

may you prosper this marriage.”

“I seize your hand.”

Vivaaha - Wedding

Bride and Groom face each other.

The priest ties the Brides saree to the grooms shirt, symbolizing the sacred union.

The Bride and Groom garland each other and exchange the Rings.

The nuptial fire is installed and worshipped.

Bride and Groom grasp their hands together and pray to God for His blessings.

Samagree, is offered into the sacred fire to seek Gods blessings for the couple.