Weddings are the most beautiful things. Most girls dream about this day from a very young age - what they would wear, the colors they will use, the location and theme, the ceremonies they want to incorporate, the flower arrangements they want, how they want the invitation to look like etc...basically anything and everything under the umbrella. The bride no matter what part of the world she comes from cares about every single detail of the wedding planning. There is one thing though that an Indian bride does not have to worry about and that is the wedding vows. They are kind of already made up for her. They are actually verses from their religious book and recited by the priest during the main ceremony. Imagine that you are taking/saying the exact same vows that your mother and her mother and her mother's mother took and so did hundreds of generations before them? Pretty cool, right?
As I attended my best friend's wedding yesterday, I was intrigued by this process of taking vows when the priest actually translated & explained the meaning of every Sanskrit shlok of the Hindu wedding ceremony that he recited. Now, we all know from experience or from bollywood movies that a Hindu wedding means the couple has to go around the fire 7 times to be married but have you ever wondered what its significance is....what the mantras/shloks that the priest is chanting during that time means? Well, here is what they mean as per my new found knowledge...the saat phere or the seven vows that the couple makes to each other as they take the big leap towards a life of togetherness:
1. Nourishment
With our first step together we pray to God to provide us with pure and nourishing food. Together we will live our lives with honour and respect for each other.
As I attended my best friend's wedding yesterday, I was intrigued by this process of taking vows when the priest actually translated & explained the meaning of every Sanskrit shlok of the Hindu wedding ceremony that he recited. Now, we all know from experience or from bollywood movies that a Hindu wedding means the couple has to go around the fire 7 times to be married but have you ever wondered what its significance is....what the mantras/shloks that the priest is chanting during that time means? Well, here is what they mean as per my new found knowledge...the saat phere or the seven vows that the couple makes to each other as they take the big leap towards a life of togetherness:
1. Nourishment
With our first step together we pray to God to provide us with pure and nourishing food. Together we will live our lives with honour and respect for each other.
2. Health
With our second step together we pledge to grow in physical, mental and spiritual powers. Together we will lead a healthy lifestyle.
With our second step together we pledge to grow in physical, mental and spiritual powers. Together we will lead a healthy lifestyle.
3. Prosperity
With our third step we promise each other to earn and increase materialistic wealth by righteous way and provide comfort to the family. Together we will share all our sorrows and joys.
With our third step we promise each other to earn and increase materialistic wealth by righteous way and provide comfort to the family. Together we will share all our sorrows and joys.
4. Family
With our fourth step together we pledge not to forget our parents and elders. Together we will maintain and strengthen the family bonds.
With our fourth step together we pledge not to forget our parents and elders. Together we will maintain and strengthen the family bonds.
5. Progeny
With our fifth step together we pray to God to bless us with beautiful, kind and brave children. Together as responsible parents, we shall provide them with good education and values of life.
With our fifth step together we pray to God to bless us with beautiful, kind and brave children. Together as responsible parents, we shall provide them with good education and values of life.
6. Strength
With our sixth step together, we promise self-control over the mind, body and soul and pray for longevity of our marital relationship. Together we will live a balanced and harmonious life.
With our sixth step together, we promise self-control over the mind, body and soul and pray for longevity of our marital relationship. Together we will live a balanced and harmonious life.
7. Friendship and love
With our seventh step together, we promise to be best friends and be always true to each other. Together we will live a life of mutual trust, love and friendship.
With our seventh step together, we promise to be best friends and be always true to each other. Together we will live a life of mutual trust, love and friendship.
Beautiful, isn't it? Well, so were the newly weds yesterday. Congratulations, Sugandha & Samir Verma on your wedding. You both looked gorgeous. Best wishes for an amazing journey ahead. Love you loads.
Newly Weds: Sugandha & Samir Verma
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