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Vedic Hindu Vivah

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Puja Samagri

Vedic Hindu Vivaah

19/31

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Vedic Hindu marriage is viewed as

sacramental, which is a lifelong commitment of
one wife and one husband. It is the strongest
bond between a man and a woman, which
takes place in the presence of their parents,
relatives, and friends. This is an irrevocable
commitment for a lifetime.
For a Hindu, marriage is the only way to
continue the family, and thereby repay, his
debt to his ancestors. The most important
thing is that all the Hindu God and Goddesses
are also united in this. Marriage is for spiritual
growth and a way of learning many things in
life through experience. In other words, it is a
perfect way of following the holy law of the
Creator. There are eight ways of getting
married. They are:

1. Brahma:
Kanyadan performed by
holy parents
2. Daiva:
Kanyadan by Godfearing parents
3. Aarsha:
Kanyadan by parents
with 5 other gifts
4. Prajaapatya:
Kanyadan by honor and
respect
5. Asur:
Love Marriage
6. Gandharv:
Marrying for money
7. Raakshas:
Forceful abduction of a
maiden.
8. Paishaach:
Intercourse in asleep or
intoxicated situation thus taking full
responsibility to protect her for forever.
Steps to follow for marriage ceremony:
1. Arrival of Baraat and Welcome of the
Groom
2. Milni (Welcoming the Barat)
3. Jai Mala (Garland)
4. Ganesh Pooja (Prayers to Lord Ganesh)
5. Nav Graha Pooja (Prayers to the Nine
Planets)
6. Var Pooja (Offerings to the Groom)
7. Madhuparka Vidhi (Adorning of the Bride by
New Family)
8. Vastra Dharan Vidhi (Adorning of the Bride
by New family)
9. Kanya Daan (Giving the Bride away)
10. Pani Grahan (Hand Taking Ceremony)
11. Exchange of vows and conditions
12. Lajahuti: (64 Ahuties for 64 different
purposes in life)
13. Mangal Phera: (four rounds for Dharma,
Arth, Kaam and Moksha)
14. Saptpadi (exchanging 7 vows)
15. Vamangii: (wife at the left side) completion

of the vows.
16. Sindoor Bharan (Vermilion): declaration of
the duty of husband and wife.
17. Hridya Sparsh (Touching hearts): two
minds one thought.
18. Exchange Rings and Sweets: (for love and
sweetness)
19. Surya Darshan (Viewing of the sun):
20. Ashirvad: (Blessings)
Vaag-daan, Tilak & Sagun (Engagement): It is a
commitment by the bride's parents to complete
the marriage of a future date acceptance by
the parents of bridegroom. A teeka is then
applied on groom's forehead and gifts are
exchanged between groom & bride family
members.
Ganesh, Navagrah Puja and 'Chura' Sait or
Shantipath: Lord Ganesh is worshipped for
success of the ceremony and nine planets for
good household life of bride and bridegroom.
They are explained the right way of leading a
good household life. Chura is given by the
brides' maternal uncle Mama as a blessing and
well wishing for her married life. Offering
Chunni to the bride to signify that from this
time onwards she is the bearer of the respect
of the groom's family.
Mandap Karan: Erecting pandaal where the
ceremonies are to be performed.
Nandi Shradh: Offering prayers to the
forefathers
Sehra and Badhu Grahaagaman: Groom's
dressing with Sehra and Garland and
proceeding to the bride's house.

Milani: A warm welcome and greeting of the

groom's parents by bride's parents and other
close family members with garlands and gifts
mostly cash. Aarati offered to the groom.
Jaimala: Formal acceptance of each other by
bride and bridegroom with garlands.
Madhupark: Reception of bridegroom by
bride's father with yogurt and honey.
Sarva Dev Poojan: Lord Ganesh, nine planets,
sixteen Matrikas, sixty-four Yoginies, seven
ghee Matrikas are Varuna, Main Kalash, Sun
and Kula Devatas are invited and worshipped.
In their presence Kanyadan is performed.
Kanyadan (giving away of daugther): The
parents of bride then place their daughter's
right hand in the hand of the groom and her
fathers declares to the assemblage that he, on
this day and hour, of his own free will and that
of the bride, hereby hands over his daughter to
her the groom saying always follow the rules of
religion. Groom promises to protect her.
Paanigrahan (Taking the hand of the bride):
The bridegroom takes the hands of the bride
for the prosperity in household life. He makes
a commitment to the bride's parents that from
here on he takes full responsibility of their
daughter including, her protection.
I bridegroom hold your hand unto mine for life
long commitment and for prosperity of
household life. May you attain full age in all
prosperity with me as your husband. God, who
is the master of all prosperity, the
administrator of justice, the creator of the
universe and all subsisting and enlightened

persons present here is giving you to me for

the fulfillment of the household life's
attainment and obligation.
Seven sentences are pronounced by both:
1. Always remember the divine.
2. Always took upon each other with sympathy,
love and compassion.
3. Help in all good deeds of each other.
4. Keep mind pure and virtuous. Be strong and
righteous.
5. Show goodwill and affection to parents,
brothers, sisters and other family members.
6. Bring up the children in such a manner that
they are strong in mind and body.
7. Always welcome and respect guests.
Gathbandhan (Sacred Union of two souls): A
knot in the sacred cloth of bride and
bridegroom is tied and some rice may be kept
in that knot by priest as a sign of prosperity
and sacredness.
Aashirvaad (Mangalastak, Blessings): "May you
stay together. May you never be separated. May
you encompass all life (long life), always be
happy in your own house playing with your
children and grandchildren. O Lord! Make her
endowed with worthy sons and prosperity,
bestow on her all the good wishes so that she
could bring up good children. May you be
queen over your family. Mangalastak and
blessing mantras are chanted at this time."
May Brahma, the Lord of wisdom, Shiva the
Lord of all beings, Sun the Lord of all planets
of the solar system, Shukra the Lord of
Devatas, and Skanda the Lord of army, always

bring good fortune.

"May Vishnu the Lord of Yagya, Yama the Lord
of ancestors, Moon, the Lord of stars always
bring auspiciousness."
"May Lord Hari who is on the lotus flower, Lord
wind, fire, moon, sun, water, wealth, Pret and
all planets cause the good things in life."
"Pradumna, Nal, Kuber, holy elephant, jewel
and the Lord of power cause the good things in
the life."
"May the three eyes of Shiva, and three feats of
Lord fire, three feats of Lord Vishnu, that three
Ramas, three Lokas bring good fortune."
"May the three ways of Ganga, three Vedas,
three times prayer of Priests cause always good
things in the life."
"May the Goddess of prosperity, Dhanwantari,
holy mother cow, and Rambha always bless
you."
"Horses of Gods, seven kinds of happiness,
bow of the Lord, conch, poison, fourteen kinds
of jewels brings good fortune."
"May Gauri, the Goddess of family lineage,
Savitri, Shiva, Goddess of Knowledge and
Truth Goddess Arundhati bring
auspiciousness."
Homa: Establishing the fire and offering of
Samagri into the fire, with the prayers to
different power bearing Gods.
Laja Hom: (Baked rice grains into the fire) The

brother of the bride gives handful of baked rice

to the bride and the bride passes it to the
groom. Then it is offered to the holy fire. This
action is repeated three times. Signifying that
she is leaving her parent's Gotra to join her
husband's family.
Parikrama: Different system is used in
different societies. Such as only three rounds
bride leading to the groom, Only seven rounds
bride leading to the groom, Four rounds first
three bride leading to groom and last groom
leading to the bride. However These days
mostly seven Feras are used which includes
Mangal fera and Saptpadi. First four rounds
are dedicated for four aims of life i.e. Dharma
(righteousness to follow the rules of religion,
duty, morality and spirituality) Artha (wealth
for livelihood, sharing with poor and
misfortunate, to work hard and to earn money
with right means) Kaam (love, physical and
mental support and satisfaction, dedication
between husband and wife throughout life
Moksha (liberation from this world of suffering
by abiding the law of household life).
However when all the main parts of the
ceremony i.e. laja hom, shila-rohan
(asmarohan), Gatha-gan, feras, 11 promises
from the bridegroom & 9 promises from the
bride and saptpadi are performed together
then seven rounds are taken together.
May that all-controlling fire be the source of
separating me from parental family for joining
the husband's family. However it should not
keep me separate from my husband. By the
grace of God, may my husband attain a long
life and the members of our families and

relatives flourish in happiness and prosperity.

O bridegroom! I drop these grains of roasted
paddy into the fire for your prosperity and
progress. May there be great affection between
you and me for each other. May this fire of
yagya be a source of help to us.
Saptpadi: (Main part of the wedding ceremony)
Saptpadi is the most important part of
wedding, which follows the seven promises of
Saptpadi with seven rounds around the
nuptial fire. They move clockwise starting from
the Dhruva (north polar star as a significance
of firmness, like the pole star). Every round
starts with the right foot first. The groom leads
the bride for the first four rounds, the bride
leads the groom the last three rounds
signifying that she will always be in front of
him in all actions. She shall always be
respected as Grahalaxmi. The Priest chants
certain hymns from scriptures. This system is
called 'Bhavnar' and is the most common and
well-known system.
As the Panigrahan ceremony marks the
beginning of the formal section of the marriage
rites, so the Saptpadi brings the most
important section to a close.
Throughout the ages this particular act of
bride and groom together walking seven steps
around the ceremonial fire has been regarded
as the symbolic moment when the couple is
said to be married. It is, in fact, the completion
of the seventh round of the Saptpadi that the
Hindu marriage Act of 1955 recognizes as the
moment at which the marriage transaction
attains legal status. Manu, the great codifiers
of Hindu law in ca. 300 AD states that after

taking the hand of the bride and upon

completion of the seventh step around the
sacred fire the man and woman are legal
couple. The Likhita Smriti, another ancient
law-text provides that upon taking the seventh
step, the bride leaves the Gotra of the family of
her parents and becomes a member of her
husband's family.
To confirm the new family membership of the
couple, shortly after the Saptpadi ceremony,
and after observing a few minor ceremonies
such Sindoor Dan and Mangal Sutra, the
couple departs for the groom's home.
The Saptpadi rite is performed around the
ceremonial fire, which is maintained by a
Priest. Seven circles of rice are drawn around
the fire, starting from the 'Dhruva' (north pole
star) side, north point and proceeding
eastward. The groom takes the right hand of
the bride and places it onto the first circle of
rice. She follows through by bringing up her
left foot, careful to proceed to the next step.
The bride and groom pronounce the seven
important mantras, which form the Saptpadi.
1.
Groom: My beloved, our love became firm by
your walking one round with me. you will offer
me food and be helpful in every way. I will
cherish you and provide for the welfare and
happiness of you and our children.
Bride: This is my humble submission to you,
that when you give me the responsibility of the
home, food and taking care of the household
activities, I promise you that I shall discharge
all responsibilities for welfare of the all family

members and children.

2.
Groom: My beloved, now you have walked the
second round with me, fill my heart with
strength and courage, and together we shall
protect eh household and children.
Bride: My Beloved, in you grief, I shall fill your
heart with courage and strength. In your
happiness, I shall rejoice, and I promise you
that I will please you always with sweet words
and take care of the family and children. In
return you shall love me alone as your wife.
3.
Groom: My beloved, now you have walked three
rounds with me. By virtue of this, our wealth
and prosperity is going to grow. You shall be
the only woman to whom I shall love and
respect as my wife. Together, we will educate
our children and may they live long.
Bride: My beloved, I will love you with singleminded devotion as my husband. I will treat all
other men as secondary. My devotion to you
shall be of a chaste wife and you shall be my
joy. This is my commitment to you.
4.
Groom: My beloved, it is a great blessing that
you have walked four steps with me. you have
brought auspiciousness and sacredness into
my life. May we be blessed with obedient and
noble children, may they live long.
Bride: My beloved, I will decorate you from
your feet to your head with lots of happiness of
different flowers, garlands and ornaments and

fragrance. I will please you in every way I can.

5.
Groom: My beloved, now you have walked five
rounds with me. I know wife is the best friend
and well-wisher. You have enriched my life.
May god bless you. May our loved ones live
long and share in our prosperity.
Bride: My beloved, I share both in your joys
and sorrows. Your love will make me trust and
honor you. I will carry out your wishes.
6.
Groom: My Graha-Lakshami, you have filled
my heart with happiness by walking six steps
with me. may you be filled with joy and peace
for all time.
Bride: My Pati-Parameshwar in all acts of
righteousness, in every form of enjoyment and
divine acts, I promise you I shall participate
and I shall always be with you.
7.
Groom: My beloved, as you have walked the
seven rounds with me, our love and friendship
became eternal and eternal . we experienced
spiritual union in God. Now you have become
completely mine therefore I offer my life to you.
Our marriage shall be forever and ever.
Bride: My beloved, as God and Holy Scriptures,
I have become your spouse. Whatever promises
we have, we have spoken in pure mind. We will
be truthful to each other in all things. We will
love and honor each other for ever and ever
and ever.
Hridaya Sparsha: O lord! Dwelling in every

heart, may our aim be identical, and our heart

united. May our minds be one may our
thought be identical may we attain the destiny
of life together and may we live together in
concord.
Sindur, Mangalsutra, Suhag: Symbolizing her
as a married woman who will always wish for
the long life of her husband and they say now
onwards we understand that we are married.
Blessings:
"May you become like Ram & Sita, Vinita &
Kashyap, Kunti & Pandu."
"Usha & Anirudha; Damayanti & Nal;
Arundhati & VasisthaAnusuya & Atri; Renuka
& Jamadagni; Rukmani & Sri Krishna."
"May you life be with an example of inspiration
like Gandhari & Dhritarastra; Subhadra &
Arjun; Ganga & Shantanu."
"May you live like Sudakshina & King Dilip;
Devaki & Vasudev; Lopamudra and Agastya."
"May you become too holy and pure like Ahilya
& Goutam; Dropadi & Pandavas; Tara & Bali."
"May you become like Revati & Balaram;
Laxman & Saamba; Sita & Rama."
Shanti Path:
May there be peace in the heavenly region. May
there be peace in the atmosphere. May peace
reign on the Earth. May the water be soothing
and plants be the source of peace to all. May
all the enlightened persons bring peace to us.

May the Vedas spread peace throughout the

Universe. May all other objects give us peace
and may peace even bring peace to all. May
that peace come to us. Om Shanti! Shanti!
Shanti!

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