Marriage in Indian Society & Women Part 2.

Hindu or Sanatan Marriage, Saptapadi and its meaning in legal term.

Hindu marriage act 1955 takes Saptapadi as the basis of Hindu marriage, any marriage may not be termed as a Hindu marriage legally, if Saptapadi was not performed.

If we go through the text and meaning we will find that it is fully relevant even today too.  Saptapadi is 100% applicable Vedic wisdom of Vedic people.

Saptapadi is a concise set of seven promises by husband and wife at the time of marriage.

It defines the role, duties and rights of husband and wife. If you go through the meaning of each promise it will open itself as a law no more no less for a couple.

This Saptapadi is not for any religion, Culture, Cast or Creed; it’s for All the Couple of the World.

Saptapadi is thus a mutual agreement/agreement between bride and bridegroom clearly defines what is expected of each other in married life and this is agreed upon by both in presence of elders from both sides and / or society in general.

Now here it is not important to mention that both (Bride and Groom) are adult at the time of marriage. 

The Purohit or the priest conducting the marriage translates this into vernacular language so that the bridegroom and bride understand the meaning.

This Saptapadi is designed as a clearly defined legal agreement though not signed on a paper but in presence of witnesses and the process recognized by current law of nation.

The 7 vows are 7 laws of marriage, which symbolizes 7 promises.

During the marriage a scared Fire is created in the Fireplace (Hawankund) made for the purpose.

The whole place of marriage is created with Geometrical lines and Angles for the marriage purpose which is also scared in Nature and is only for the marriage purpose and prayer (Puja) with Scared Mantras.

The scared fire is created with Ghee, wooden sticks of different trees, different spices etc with the help of chanting mantras in order to evoke Fire God (Agni Dev), who serves as the witness of the ritual of 7 Vows, and marriage. 

Before marriage bride is seated close to right hand side of the Groom in the Mundap (place made for marriage).

After marriage or taking the phera (circle or round of Scared Fire) the Bride (Dulhan, another name of the bride) changes place and shifts to the left side of the Groom (Dulha - another name of groom).

It means that now she (Bride) is close to the heart of the Groom.  That’s why after marriage the bride is called “Praneshwari” means Goddess of Life of the Groom.

In most of the Sanatan or Hindu wedding the Bride and Groom takes 7 phera (circle) of the Fire during SAPTAPADI but there is an exception Gujaratis and Sindhis take only 4 phera.

The Groom takes the pinky or colored with Heena finger (or hand) of his Bride and leads her for the first four phera (Round of fire), and then they switch places and the Bride finishes the last three by leading him to the culminating step.

Each of these phera signifies a specific meaning for both the Bride and Groom – complementary meanings that ensure that they will work as a unit to make this marriage successful, healthy, and prosperous. It shows that Women and Men are equally responsible for the marriage.

The following is the list of the promises, Vows the couple makes as they complete each full circle of Scared Fire of the Fireplace (Hawankund).

While the couple is making their rounds, the priest dictates mantras pertaining to each specific phera (Circle or Round).

The Seven Steps of a Marriage are -

  

·   The bride and the groom take the first step of the seven vows to pledge that they would provide a prospered living for the household or the family that they would look after and avoid those that might hinder their healthy living.

·     During the second step of the seven phera, the bride and the groom promise that they would develop their physical, mental and spiritual powers in order to lead a lifestyle that would be healthy.

·         During the third vow, the couple promises to earn a living and increase by righteous and proper means, so that their materialistic wealth increases manifold.

·         While taking the fourth vow, the married couple pledges to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect, understanding and faith.

·         The fifth vow is taken to have expanded their heredity by having children, for whom, they will be responsible. They also pray to be blessed with healthy, honest and brave children.

·         While taking the sixth step around the sacred fire, the bride and the groom pray for self-control of the mind, body and soul and longevity of their marital relationship.

·         When the bride and the groom take the seventh and the last vow, they promise that they would be true and loyal to each other and would remain companions and best of friends for the lifetime.

In Eastern India, South India and Western India during wedding the couple says these words as they complete the 7 steps of Saptapadi. –

“Now let us make a Vow together. We will share love, share the same food, share our strength, and share the shame taste.

We will be of one mind; we will observe the Vows together. I will be the Samveda, You the Rigveda,; I will be the Upper World, You the Earth; I will be the Sukhilam, You the Holder – together we will live and beget children and other wealth; come thou, O sweet - worded Girl”.

In North Indian weddings, the Bride and the Groom say the following words after completing the 7 steps –

        “We have taken the 7 steps.  You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners.

I have become yours. Hereafter, I can’t live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys.

We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey – sweet for us.

May the morning be honey – sweet for us. May the earth be honey – sweet for us. May the Heaven be honey – sweet for us.

May the plants be honey – sweet for us.  May the Sun be all honey for us.  May the Cows yield honey us honey – sweet milk. As the Heaven is stable, as the Earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled”.

 While the couple makes their rounds, family members those who are present in the Mandap, (a place made for marriage) bless the couple with rose petals and (Lawa) rice, celebrating a pivotal part of the ceremony.

They are also the witness of that Marriage too. After the Bride and Groom have made the seven rounds, they seek blessing from Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and Lakhsmi, (the goddess of wealth).

It is said that the couple has tied themselves together for seven lifetimes once this part of the ceremony is finished. Some regions of India finish the ceremony off by having the bride touch seven beetle nuts in turn with her toe, while her groom helps her keep her balance.

Before marriage bride is seated close to right hand side of the Groom in the Mundap (place made for marriage). 

After marriage or taking the phera (circle or round of Scared Fire) the Bride (Dulhan, it’s another name of the bride) changes place and shifts to the left side of the Groom (Dulha - another name of groom).

It means that now she (Bride) is close to the heart of the Groom. Being left side of Groom, the Bride is also known as “Vamangi” means the left side of the body or left part of the body.

 That’s why the bride after marriage is called “Praneshwari” means Goddess of Life.

 In most of the Sanatan or Hindu wedding the Bride and Groom takes 7 phera (circle) of the Fire during SAPTAPADI but there is an exception Gujaratis and Sindhis take only 4 phera.

There are many regional differences that occur in the execution of this ritual.

In South Indian tradition it is customary that the couple take seven steps due south, with the Groom leading his Bride by her pinky finger around the fire.

The alternating positions of the couple, as well as who is leading each step, varies across the country based on region and religion.

   

Marriage in Indian Society & Women Part 1.

Marriage: -

The law of marriage was first introduced before the world by Maharishi Swatketu; son of renowned Maharishi Uddhalak.

Before that men and women were free to live with anyone, with whom they wish too and as long as they wish. 

There was no relation except man and woman. (Bhartaya Vivah Sansthha Ka Itihas).

Hindu (This word was first used by Arabs. When Arab came on the bank of Sindhu River they called it Hindu river and people living there were called Hindu.  

Sanatana or Hindu marriage is all about rituals and customs which teach us the actual sense of a blissful marriage life.  

But there are some examples in Rig-Veda when the girl had not married for long time or lived unmarried, she was known as “Amazuh”.

During Rig Veda there was no bondage on marriage. 

Later on the Brahmin scholars made some marriage restrictions for the society –

Sapind - 

Pind means Body, so here Sapind means of one body or Blood relation; even scientifically it is proven. Maharishi Vasisth and Gautama say marriage in 7 generation from Father side and 5 generation from Mother side is prohibited. 

Sagotra - 

The Gotra system might have started originally among Brahmins as a system of classification and identification of various families and indicating common descent from a 'Rishi'. 

There are 49 established Lead Hindu Gotras.

All members of a particular Gotra are believed to possess certain common characteristics by way of nature or profession. 

It seems that’s why generally people living in a village are called Gotriya or in local language “Gotia” and so marriage between them is prohibited. 

Sapravar -

SAPRAVARA is a set of the greatest Rishis who belonged to the Gotra. 

Usually these are the founding fathers of the Gotra. In Vedic ritual, the importance of the Pravara appears to be in its use by the ritualist for extolling his ancestry and proclaiming, as a descendant of worthy ancestors, I am a fit and proper person to do the act I am performing.

So Sapind, Sagotra and Sapravar marriage were prohibited and still are. 

Rig Vedic society was free in nature, there was inter cast marriage.

Adult boys and girls were free to marriage that they like but family permission was needed for the bondage of the family and society. 

The marriage of Brahamn “Vimad” and Princess “Kamadhu”, Brahmarishi “Sayasawa” married king Rathvithi’s daughter “Darmya”, Daughter of Sukracharya “Devyanani” married king “Yayati”. Rishi Angirasa daughter “Saswati” married king Asang. 

  

Women were not in Curtain or Veil in Sanatan or Hindu culture, it came in medieval period. 

No Veil was used by women in Sanatan culture. 

Only when Muslim ruled India for the safety of Hindu women Veil and Curtain were used by women (Hindu and Muslim).

Veil and Curtain came from Arab that is there culture.

In the beginning the society or Vedic society was castles. It helped in great way to women. 

There was women freedom in this regard.  The society was Monogamy. 

Man and Woman were free to marry anybody whom they like and wish to marry. 

The marriage was finalized by family members of the bride; they could be Father, Brother or seniors from the society as they have to be the witness of the marriage. 

Women were enjoying all types of freedom as Men were enjoying, from Education to Profession every where they were on equal term with Men. 

Child Marriage - There was no child marriage. 

Chathurthi Karma - 

Rishi Apstamb, Sankhayayan and Paraskar writes that after 3 days of marriage “Newly Married Couple” have to perform Chathurthi Karma or 4^th day Ritual, is game of Sex. 

Chathurthi Karma is “Living together day” or this is the first day when they live in their room as Husband and Wife and play Game of Sex. 

This confirms that there is no child marriage in Sastra’a or Books and in Sanatan Law and one who is doing this is against the Rule. 

In 3 days the Bride know her Father – in – Laws’ house, their living style and above all her Life Partner (Husband) and get easy of his presence in there room and life.  

This will give both of them time to understand each other under one roof. 

Young Man and Woman chose their life partner from the whole society. 

There was no dowry system. Actually Dowry system came in Indian Society during British Rule; they convert gifts into dowry in their rule. Of course gifts were given to New Couple from family members and Society to start their family life. Even divorce is not in Vedic marriage, it was introduced in rule by Britishers. 

In Sutra literature there are 8 types of marriage. These marriages came into society time to time and lawmakers put them under the Sanatana or Hindu marriage law. Hindu marriage act 1955 doesn’t recognize many of them.

These 8 marriage systems are - 

Braham, Dev, Ayrsa, Prajapatya (it’s like Brahama marriage), Gandharva (Love marriage), Asur, Raksha, and Payasha (last 3 marriages were neither seen in good test nor were accepted by the society in large) slowly except Brahama and Gandharva rest type of marriage die their own death.

1.   Brahama Marriage – This system runs today too and is in 1955 act. Under this system the responsibility of the marriage of the Bride is upon the Father, Brother or the elder of the family or sometimes on the society. This is the best marriage system that’s why it is known as “Brahama” marriage. Even in this marriage system as written previous Bride’s Consent was on Top which changed slowly and Father and Family members Consent became on Top.

It is important to know that SAPTPADI in itself is a rule made on Oath or Vow before Fire and Society which gives enormous power to women. 

Actually the whole marriage is on 7 Vows or Oath. Anyone who breaks the Vow, other has the right to take a needy step it’s not that one is bound for 7 lives. 

The Family members, Relatives and or the society who are present there are the witness of that marriage which says that now they are Husband and Wife or Life Partner. 

Nowhere, it is said that Man is Boss or Swami and Woman is her Mistress. They are Life Partner till they don’t break promises and how much they have given freedom to each other.  

This SAPTPADI custom is running till date, but 99.99% don’t know about it or wants to know, only because it’s an Ancient ritual. Girls must have to now this SAPTAPADI, even Boys too. 

It’s important to give prior information regarding this to Women and Men both. 

Actually the marriage in Hindu or Sanatan Society is a promise between 2 sides – The Bride and the Groom. 

Only after accepting these 7 Vows Girl (Kanaya) and Boy (Var) will be called Married. From Veda till date Girl is called “Kanaya” Maiden and Boy as Var (svenn is used for males who have yet to sleep with someone. Although jomfru (virgin) is also more and more used on males). 

There was few or little example of widow marriage. In an example a childless widow remarry her husband’s younger brother.