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.
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