Marriages are considered a sacred institution in almost every culture and religion around the world. There were different cultures, wedding ceremonies were always full of pomp. Hindu weddings in our country reflect a rich beautiful culture. Indian wedding traditions are very beautiful to see. Different wedding ceremonies take place in different parts of the country and some ceremonies are common in every Hindu wedding. According to Hindu mythology, fire is one of the five natural elements that make up the human body and one of the Pancha Tatvas, hence it is considered vital. According to the Vedas, the bride is originally seated on the right side of the groom. After the vrata, she should sit on the left side as she is closer to the groom’s heart. A Hindu wedding is a big event in a person’s life and its main attraction lies in various rituals and traditions with religious and social significance.
Hindu weddings are a major attraction, with various rituals and traditions that have religious and social significance. Among the most important Hindu wedding rituals are the ‘Seven Vratas’ or Saptapadis. And they have the essence of modern values, where couples stand as equals and promise each other lifelong companionship. Each vow is essential to make the marriage successful and strengthen the bond between the partners.
In Hindu weddings, these 7 wedding vows are called Saath Phair. This Saath Mela is the sacred round that the bride and groom take around the sacred fire. Each of these seven rounds represents a vow or promise that the bride and groom make to each other that binds the couple forever. Hindus believe that marriages are made in heaven and that the union of two souls is eternal. The bride and groom make seven promises to each other for lifelong love and happiness. These seven vows state the important principles that the bride and groom should follow in their marriage.
Religious Background
Seven vows known as Saptapadi are performed around the sacred fire. No Hindu marriage is complete without these vows and once they are fulfilled it is considered complete. On the wedding day, the bride and groom sit under the mandapa or sacred canopy. The sacred fire is lit with traditional homa puja by priests. Priests tie the northern corners of the bride’s sari and the groom’s in sacred knots. They are then asked to stand up and take seven laps around the sacred fire, chanting a different promise with each phera. The bride is seated to the left of the groom before the pheras, but to the right after they are completed. Along with the seven vows, the seven vows are the most important ritual in a Hindu marriage, as they sanctify the union and give social recognition to the marriage.
According to Hindu mythology, fire is one of the five natural elements (pancha tattva) that make up the human body and is therefore considered vital. Fire is believed to be able to bind couples in eternal marriage because fire is the one thing that separates them from each other. In Hinduism, the body is cremated after a person’s death. The seating arrangement during the seven vratas was also carefully decided. According to the Vedas, the bride is initially seated to the right of the groom; After the vows are over, she is asked to sit on the left side of the groom, indicating that she is now close to his heart.
First Vow
In the first vow, the groom says I will give you welfare and happiness to you and the children we bear, and that you will feed me and help me in times of need. In return, the bride promises to be responsible for the entire upkeep of the household. A vow signifies the will of both partners to bring prosperity into their lives; Everyone agrees to fulfill their respective roles.
Second Vow
In the second vow, the groom says that together, we will protect our children and home, and in turn, the bride promises to stand bravely with her husband. She vows to revel in his happiness and, in return, insists on being faithful to him. The second vow is that the couple seeks union on emotional, psychological, and spiritual levels..
Third Vow
In the third vow, the groom hopes for a rich and prosperous future for himself and his children. The bride responds by promising to remain faithful to her husband and subjugate every man in her life. The third sacred vow of a Hindu wedding is when the bride and groom pray together for wealth and prosperity and promise to fulfill their spiritual obligations. They seek blessings for their ability to educate their children and take care of all their needs. The vow signifies the physical and spiritual fidelity of the bride and groom to each other throughout their lives.
Fourth Vow
In the fourth vow, the groom declares to the bride that his life is complete and promises to honor her. They expect their children to be obedient and noble. They wish their children long life and express interest in working hard for their education. The fourth vow of a Hindu wedding ceremony indicates the importance of family in Indian society. The couple vows to strengthen their family together by upholding family values. The couple expresses gratitude to each other and prays for the blessing that their future offspring will be noble and obedient.
Fifth vow
In the fifth vow, the groom calls the bride his best friend and well-wisher. He thanks her and asks God to bless her. For this, the bride promises to love and cherish him for the rest of her life. She says that his joys and sorrows are now her joys and sorrows. The bride promises the groom to honor him and strive to fulfill his wishes. The fifth wedding vow signifies the importance of mutual loyalty and dependence. The groom expresses his gratitude and calls the bride his best friend, while the bride, in return, promises to love and cherish their relationship forever.
Sixth Vow
In the sixth vow, the groom tells the bride “Now you have taken six steps with me and I am happy. Do you promise to fill my heart with the same joy for life? For this, the bride promises to be with her husband for the rest of her life. They pray together to seek God’s blessings to grant them a long and healthy life filled with peace and prosperity. The sixth vow allows the groom to express the depth of his joy in finding his bride. The bride affirms her love for the groom and promises to stand by him forever. This vow signifies the importance of health, peace, and prosperity in one’s life.
Seventh Vow
In the seventh and final vow, the groom declares that we are now husband and wife and that we will now be together for eternity. In response, since the bride is God’s witness, she is now his wife, and both love and respect each other. The final vow signifying the completion of the sacred union is sealed with a vow of companionship for life. Couples stand by each other and promise to always be true in their relationship. The vow of loyalty and willingness to spend life not with another person but with a friend makes the last vow special.
Last words.
Hindu weddings are a reflection of beautiful India’s rich culture. These seven wedding vows are personal vows that serve the purpose of two people living together but also hold great significance in bringing together different cultures and distant civilizations over time. The general aspirations they had when they entered into marriage – are contained in the seven wedding vows. As the couple steps to tread the Saptapadi, family members and friends in the mandapa spread rose petals and rice and bless the couple. Folks say that if you step on Saptapadi, you will enter married life for the next seven lifetimes. Either way, Saptapadi is the most interesting and important part of any Hindu wedding. For that reason, there are examples of foreigners getting married here because of the Indian culture and the Hindu marriage system here. Our Indian culture is great.
