Description of Wedding Rituals by Dr Swami Satya Prakash at Surrey Mandir Nov 16, 2010 at 6 PM ALL ARE INVITED

Description and Sequence of Marriage Ceremony Rituals 

1. Welcome

Parents of the Bride welcome the Grooms’s family and friends amidst sacred chanting 

1. Garlanding: Jaimaal

The Bride and Groom Garland each other symbolizing acceptance of each other.

Bhagwat sholoka: “ Ka tva mukund mahti kul sheel roop vidya vayo dravid dhaam bhiratma tulya”

There are seven qualities that Rukmini was attracted to Krishna Kul (Generation), sheel (nature), roop (beauty), vidya (academic qualification), vaya (age), dhan (financial), dhaam (living standard). Rukmini says that all these qualities of  the groom are according to me so I like you. These qualities attract me towards you so I accept you in marriage.

1. Light a Diya and Ganesh Poojan

Begin the ceremony by lighting the Diya (which remains the witness to the marriage till eternity) and Prayers to Lord Ganesha conducted in the very beginning for Removal of Obstacles during the ceremony and throughout the marital life.

1. Raksha Bandhan and Sankalpam

Bride’s parents take the sankalp (vow) to wed their daughter and tie a thread to the priest as a symbol of giving authorization to the priest to formalize the ceremony. Priest accepts by tying threads to parent’s hands and giving them blessings and the promise to conduct the ceremony as a representative of God

1. Dev and Navagrah Pooja

Prayers to God and Planets; Blessings from the Universe

1. Lakshmi and Vishnu Pooja

Bride and Groom are seated as symbols of Lakshmi and Vishnu during the ceremony and Priest purifies them through Mantras.

1. Agni Sthapan: Lighting Fire 

The ceremony is conducted with Yagna and the entire environment is enlightened  

1. Granthi Bandhan: Tying the Knot

This is a symbol of Meeting of the Minds and completely tied to each other. In the knot there 5 things tied together which include Coin, Flower, Haldi/Turmeric, Durva and Rice/Akshat. Coin symbolizes equal right on finances,  flower is for happiness and good wishes, haldi symbolizes working towards increasing and taking care of each others’ physical, mental emotional and intellectual needs, Durva is a symbol of life force purity and divinity. If durva dries and you put it in water, it becomes green again similarly in marital life may you have a life force pure and divine which will give boundless eternal and selfless love for each other. Akshat symbolizes complete fullfilment in everything including material and spiritual wealth and happiness.    

1. Kanya Daan: Giving away the Daughter 

Bride’s parents and family members give away their daughter of the family, their most precious gift brought up so dearly and wisely by giving best education and values who is now being implanted into another family to further grow and flourish in the Groom’s family and take their lineage forward. Kanya Daan or Giving away Lakshmi (symbol of Wealth) is the biggest and most sacred and precious donation that anyone can ever make in their lifetime as lots has gone into making her the person she is and is most precious yet she is now being given away.

1. Hawan and Four Phere: Encircling the Sacred Fire 

With Hawan and 7 times encircling this fire (Four Phere). Fire is representative of Surya. In offerings of Havan or in fire everything that is desired is communicated to Gods and the universe which is uplifted through the smoke.  According to vedas the couple takes 4 rounds around fire. This is a symbol of commitment for dharma Artha kama and Moksha. Dharma or Duty or Civilization or religion means living a dutiful life  towards family members society environment and universe. Artha means being together in accomplishing material wealth including essential commodities of life, Kama is fulfillment of desires in attaining better job, good health and honour. In first three phere the girl walks in front and takes lead symbolizing woman’s importance in marriage for attaining Dharma Artha Kama and in the last phera of Moksha the husband leads the way symbolizing his leadership in attainment of liberation of husband and wife. In this the two bodies become one and with no boundaries because they become one is soul. No boundaries means beyond sorrows and pleasures and in this union this idea of future life of becoming one with each other can be realized. 

Crossing the Stone

Ashvorahan is giving wisdom to bride that crossing the stone symbolizes the crossing of mountain of difficulties together and still staying firm like a rock in the marital relationship. Bride is advised that you should remain undisturbed and whoever does wrong towards you, may you keep them in your favor with your good behavior. May you climb and cross the mountain of difficulties and in doing this remain firm like a rock.  

11.  Saptapadi for Vaam Ang : Seven Promises for Bride’s Move to the Left

The Bride and Groom take Seven Steps together towards north as that is the direction of progress where Kuber resides (Lord of wealth is on the north).   

1. We’ll work together in increasing family’s health and food
2. We’ll increase each other’s physical strength and power
3. We’ll increase each others’ financial strength
4. We’ll walk together in happiness and pain and difficulties
5. We’ll work for environment care including animals and plants and car/vehicle care etc. 
6. We’ll keep you happy in all seasons of the year and according to each season. 
7. We’ll be agreeable with each other 

As a condition for the Bride to move on to the left side of the Groom, both bride and groom agree to the Seven Promises from each other. Both of them agree that husband would be on the right once these conditions are followed and in fact wife takes the powerful position on the left so even if the husband is 0 their strength together is that of 10. So when the wife is on the left side husband’s strength is increased as she is close to his heart being on his left side.

Groom requests 7 promises from Bride which include:

You will listen to me to fulfill your duties

Give pleasure to me and my family; You will speak sweetly;

 You will not get angry or be lazy and not hurt me

You will take care of my parents and you will speak nicely to my brother and sister so that you’ll become my partner in trust and faith. Also: 

Do not go alone in Jungle/unsafe place: To keep yourself safe

Do not go in company of People who are drunk or take sensual pleasures with others; Do not go to officials alone in negative sense

Do not go to parents alone with any type of negativity

Bride’s makes 7 Request from the Groom. She says:

1. Take me with you in all spiritual and religious pursuits and do not go with other women.
2. In Donation take my consent
3. As my childhood is already gone so for my Youth, Middle Age and old Age Stay with me and protect me.
4. Keep me informed of all sources of your income and wealth
5. In purchasing any kind of wealth –vehicle land or house-please take my consent
6. Please take care of me in all seasons
7. When I’m with my friends do not say anything and tell me when we are alone

12. Prayer to Surya/Dhruv 

Bride and Groom take inspiration and blessings to stay as constant as Surya and Dhruv Star

13. Abhishek by the Groom: 

Accepting and welcoming the Bride by the Groom with purity and clarity of heart like water

14. Mangal Sutra and Sumangal/Sindoor Ceremony: 

Giving of pious thread of Mangal or promise of blessing and well being red colour by the groom on his bride as a symbol of promising prosperity and happiness to his wife in every way 

15. Swisht Krit and Ashirwaad : 

Kshma if anything went wrong by anyone present in the entire marriage ceremony.

May all deficiencies in rules and activities of the vivaha ceremony be absolved by the mercy of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees. I now remember that Supreme Lord Vishnu in order to nullify whatever faults there may be there in the proceedings.

16. Blessings by Sri Swamiji 

Swamiji will bless the newly married and to the Parents for prosperity of the family.

17. Concluding Ceremony

Blessings by all family members to the newly married.