(Proffering of Bride's hand)
The parent of the bride offers her hand to the bridegroom and requests
him to accept her daughter as his wife. The bridegroom accepts the
bride as his wife and presents her with clothing and jewellery. Vaivahik
Homa (Invoking the sacred fire) The sacred fire is invoked and oblations
as poured into it. Agni (fire) is the mouth of Vishnu and symbolises
illumination of mind, knowledge and happiness.
(stepping on the stone)
The bride places her right foot on the stone. The bridegroom tells
her to be as firm as the stone in his house so that they can face
the onslaughts of enemies and the difficulties of life together.
(Putting
parched rice in the sacred fire)
Three oblations are offered to the sacred fire. The brother of the
bride puts into the bride's hands parched rice, half of which slips
into the Bridegrooms hands. Mantras are chanted. The bride prays
to Yama, the god of death, that he grants long life, health, happiness
and prosperity to the Bridegroom. Agni Parikrama This is the most
important part of the ceremony as it is believe by all Hindus that
the bride is protected by the moon for the first seven years of
her life, followed by the sun for the next seven years and the following
seven years Agni (fire) is the custodian. Therefore the bride and
the groom have to perform.
(perambulation
around the fire),
going round four times-three times led by the groom and the fourth
time led by the bride, who approaches the fire with seven steps.
(Taking
seven steps)
The bride and the groom take seven steps around the sacred fire.
At each step they invoke the blessing of god for food, strength,
family, prosperity, progency, enjoying life together and performing
religious rites together and life-long friendship.
(Blessing
Bride)
The groom blesses the bride by putting Kumkum or Sindur (vermilion
powder) at the parting of her hair or on her forehead and by giving
her Manglesutra (sacred necklace).
(looking
at the sun)
The groom accepts the bride as his wife in the presence of the sun
and tells her to look at it or at Dhruva (star of steadfastness)
and at Arundhati (star devotion), if the marriage is performed at
nigh. And tells her to be firm in her love and duty and to be devoted
to him likeArundhati was to the safe Vashishtha. The bride tells
the groom that she does look at them and promises hm to be as steadfast
and as devoted as they are.
(touching
of Hearts)
The bride and the groom touch each others heart. The bride tells
the groom: I touch thy heart unto mine. God has given thee as my
husband. May my heart be thine and thy heart be mine now. When I
talk to thee, please listen to me with perfect attention. The groom
tells her the same to the bride.
(feeding
the bridegroom)
The bride feeds the groom and tells him: by feeding this sweet food
and I shall bind thy heart with the thread of truth, sincerity and
love: so my heart be thine and thy heart be mine forever.
(complete
of ceremony)
After the oblation is poured into the sacred
fire, the priest blesses the bride and groom. Flower petals and
rice is distributed to the guests, who shower them on the bride
and groom and bless them. With the blessings the marriage ceremony
is completed.
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