Come today, and a typical Indian wedding is nothing less than a grand affair. Stretching for days from shaadi pakki to shaadi mubarak, a wedding is arguably the biggest and longest event in the life of an Indian. Marathi weddings are a bit mellowed down with a unique combination of flamboyance and modesty. Sticking to the culture of arranged marriages, marathi wedding preparations begin with the search of a perfect partner by inquiring with friends and relatives. The groom’s family enrolls his name into marathi matrimony sites where they can find a match from among the various marathi matrimony brides profile . Once the match is found and everything is set, the grand Indian wedding celebrations begin.
Beneath all the pomp and fervour of the modern wedding, lies the original vedic ceremony, replete with rites and rituals, which underlines the true meaning of marriage. One such ritual that stands out among others are the ‘saat pheraas’ commonly translated by our fair skinned neighbours as the ‘seven vows’ of a hindu wedding. Also known as saptapadi, these 7 rounds are taken around the holy fire, which stands as a witness to the promises made between the bride and the groom. They are asked to stand up and circumambulate the sacred fire 7 times as the brahman chants the vows on behalf of the wife. While the 7 rounds have been popularised due to bollywood shaadis frequently showcasing this particular act, seldom must people be knowing the literal meaning of whatever is chanted during those seven rounds. Here are sanskrit verses along with their meanings. This roughly translates as below:
Vow 1:
तीर्थव्रतोद्यापनयज्ञकर्ममयासहैवप्रियवयंकुर्या:
वामांगमायामितदात्वदीयंब्रवीतिवाक्यंप्रथमंकुमारी!
O man, if you happen to undertake a pilgrimage, do not leave me behind and take me with you. If you undertake a fast or a religious vow for the sake of God, let me partake half the responsibility with you. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Vow 2:
पुज्योयथास्वौपितरौममापितथेशभक्तोनिजकर्मकुर्या:
वामांगमायामितदात्वदीयंब्रवीतिकन्यावचनंद्वितीयम
O man, just as thou honor thy father and mother, thou shalt honor my father and mother too. As also, shall thou remain devoted to thy family and thy Lord God. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Vow 3:
जीवनमअवस्थात्रयेपालनांकुर्यात
वामांगंयामितदात्वदीयंब्रवीतिकन्यावचनंतृतीयं
O man, promise me that you will look after me (if God willing, i live long enough) in all the three stages of my life: my youth, my adulthood and my old age. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Vow 4:
कुटुम्बसंपालनसर्वकार्यकर्तुप्रतिज्ञांयदिकातंकुर्या:
वामांगमायामितदात्वदीयंब्रवीतिकन्यावचनंचतुर्थ:
You were indeed a free soul until now. After marriage, you will be tied by the responsibilities of yourself, me, and our future family. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Vow 5:
स्वसद्यकार्येव्यहारकर्मण्येव्ययेमामापिमन्त्रयेथा
वामांगमायामितदात्वदीयं ब्रूते वच: पंचमत्रकन्या
O man, promise me that you will consult me and include me in the financial decisions related to our household and our family. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Vow 6:
न मेपमानमंसविधेसखीनाद्यूतं न वादुर्व्यसनंभंजश्वेत
वामाम्गमायामितदात्वदीयंब्रवीतिकन्यावचनं च षष्ठम
O man, promise me that when I am amid my girl-friends and my sisters, you will not, by any means, humiliate me in their presence. O man, strive to keep yourself away from all kinds of intoxicants, gambling and immoral acts. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Vow 7:
परस्त्रियंमातूसमांसमीक्ष्यस्नेहंसदाचेन्मयिकान्तकूर्या।
वामांगमायामितदात्वदीयं ब्रूते वच: सप्तमंत्रकन्या
O man, promise me that you would not unlawfully covet any other woman besides your wife as they are to you like your mother. If you are able to fulfil this covenant of mine, I shall willingly enter your household.
Although the vows are quite intense and meaningful, it’s a wonder how many men are actually able to keep them. Whatever the case, the marriage is beautifully solemnised and bride-groom seek blessings from the attendees and the priest. If you are looking for a buddhist marriage bureau or a maratha vadhu var suchak kendra , or a matrimonial for any other caste, just log in to PavitraVivah.com - a trusted online matrimonial site, specially designed for marathi people.
