North Indian Vedic/Hindu Wedding Ceremony
- Preliminaries
The Priests and the parents of the Bride pay their respects to their spiritual preceptors and invoke the blessings of Ganesha — the personification of Wisdom — for the removal of all obstacles. A purification ceremony is then performed.
- Reception of the Groom's party and official meeting of relatives.
The parent's of the bride formally welcome the groom and his party.
- The Honouring of the Groom
The groom is seated in the canopy and officially welcomed by the bride's parents.
- The Garlanding
The bride is escorted to the canopy a curtain is held between the couple blessings are recited then the curtain is removed and the couple garland each other:
Prayer:
May all the Directive Energies of the Cosmos unite the hearts of us two, may the Universal Principles, the Life Force and the heavens keep us two together.
- The invocation of the Gods
The couple offer their prayers for well-being and a happy married life. Worship is offered to Ganesha, Sarasvati & Brahma, Lakshmi & Narayana, Uma & Maheshvara, Sachi & Indra and the Nine Planets.
- The Giving Away of the Bride
A statement of intent is made and the lineages of the couple are announced, and they declare that they are willingly and of their own free choice joining in matrimony.
Prayer:
The Supreme Being who resides in the hearts of all beings, and all the gods are witnesses. This woman is entrusted to you so that you may fulfil your mutual obligations to your forefathers and raise worthy offspring.
- The Couple's Praise of Love
The couple recite together:
Who is giving what and to whom. Love is the Giver and Love the Receiver. Love has entered into the Ocean of Being. Through Love I receive you. O Love all this is for you.
- The Vows
The couple solemnly vow to each other:—
In all matters pertaining to the three aims of life — Dharma (the sphere of ethical and spiritual activities), Artha (professional responsibilities, pursuit of wealth & security) and Kama (Sex, procreation and recreation) I promise never to do the wrong thing by you.
- Presentation of Garments; (optional)
The groom presents the bride with a new set of clothes which is a token of his responsibility to care for all her needs.
- Havan.
Offerings and prayers are made for the well-being of the couple and to bless them with a long and happy married life.
- Laja Homa
Puffed rice is offered by the bride, to pray for the longevity of the husband.
- Taking the Hand
The groom takes the bride's right hand and the couple recites the following affirmations:—
Together:
I take your hand for wellbeing so that together we may attain to old age in happiness. The Sovereign Cosmic Principles; Enjoyment [Bhaga], Aspiration [Aryaman], Creativity [Savitar] and Fullness of Being [Purandhri] have united us for the performance of our duties as householders.
The Groom:
You are Primordial Nature — I am all-pervading Spirit — You are Nature. I am the Sky — You are the Earth. I am the seed — You are the bearer. I am mind — You are Speech. I am the melody — You are the words.
Together:
May we remain together until old age, loving each other, delighting in each other, with our minds in harmony with each other, appreciating each other's ideas, views and feelings. May we discover life together for an hundred autumns, may we live together for an hundred autumns, and may we listen to each other attentively for an hundred autumns.
- Standing upon the Mill-stone.
The couple retire to the north of the fire where a millstone has been placed they both touch the stone with their right feet.
Prayer:
Tread upon this stone, be you firm and steadfast as this stone, in your commitment to each other — rise above all your tribulations, pressing underfoot all negativity and sorrow.
- The Groom's Praise of Sarasvati
O Sarasvati Goddess of learning and eloquence, the source of well-being, O Gracious One, You whom I praise are the source of all creation.
It is in you the whole creation arose and in whom it is sustained and into whom it is ultimately dissolved. Today I shall sing that song which is the highest glory of women.
- The Rite of Seven Steps
The couple take the first seven steps in their journey of life together with the following blessings:
- By the first step may Lord Vishnu guide you to the procurement of nourishment.
- By the second step may Lord Vishnu guide you to health.
- By the third step may Lord Vishnu guide you to prosperity and security.
- By the fourth step may Lord Vishnu guide you to the source of all bliss
- By the fifth step may Lord Vishnu guide you to the welfare of the domestic animals.
- By the sixth step may Lord Vishnu guide you to enjoyments according to the seasons.
- By the seventh step may Lord Vishnu guide you to friendship.
Together:
You are my friend in life through these seven steps; may I attain your friendship, may our friendship bind us together; may we never cease being friends, may our intentions be of one accord, may our radiance be one, and our minds united. We are united in harmony and affection, radiant with kind thoughts, enveloped in enjoyment and strength, united are our minds, our vows and our hearts.
- Touching the Hearts & Sindur danam
Prayer:
United be your intention, united be your hearts, united your thoughts, so that there may be a thorough harmony among you.
- Prayer to the Sun
May we continue to see for an hundred autumns, may we live for an hundred autumns, may we rejoice for an hundred autumns, may we enjoy for an hundred autumns, may we radiate with glory for an hundred autumns, may we listen to what is beneficial for an hundred autumns, may we communicate well for an hundred autumns, may we never be defeated for an hundred autumns, thus for a long time may we continue to pursue the path to enlightenment.
- Blessings
It is of a hundred measures, man has a hundred years of life, a hundred powers; verily on life and power he rests.
May you both blest with prosperity, vigour, longevity, health, wealth, and domestic animals. May you have many children and may you live for a hundred autumns.
Rise over conflicts and calamities, exceed your husband, and your children in dignity and pride and be you famous
Those who are at cross purposes and opposed to the wedded couple may they not succeed. May the hard path of life be crossed by pleasant journey. May all the forces of evil shrink away.
- Honorarium is given to the priests
