Rhiannon Hendricks
Hindu weddings are a vibrant affair, rich in traditions and rituals. The seven vows, or saptapadi, are one of the most prominent Hindu wedding rituals. The vows are recited by the couple in Sanskrit around a sacred fire, and they cover everything from individual roles to the promise of putting each other's happiness first. The seven vows are indispensable to Hindu marriages and are deemed to complete the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vows of love | "We shall share love, share the same food, share our strengths, share the same tastes." |
| Vows of duty | "We shall be of one mind, we shall observe the vows together." |
| Vows of respect | "I will be by your side as your courage and strength. I will rejoice in your happiness. In return, you will love me solely." |
| Vows of faithfulness | "I will love you solely for the rest of my life, as you are my husband. Every other man in my life will be secondary. I vow to remain chaste." |
| Vows for a fruitful union | "May we grow wealthy and prosperous and strive for the education of our children and may our children live long." |
| Vows for companionship | "You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me." |
| Vows for lifelong companionship | "We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey-sweet for us." |
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What You'll Learn
The vows are recited around a sacred fire
Hindu weddings are a grand affair, with many rituals and traditions that hold religious and social significance. The seven vows, or Saptapadi, are one of the most prominent rituals in Hindu weddings. The vows are recited around a sacred fire, with the couple taking seven steps or Mangal Pheras around the fire, known as the saat phere.
The ceremony begins with a prayer to the Hindu god Ganesha, after which the couple is led in their vows by a purohit, or family priest. The priest explains the meaning of each pledge, which revolve around the necessary elements for a successful marriage and a strong bond between the couple. The couple then chants each vow, taking a step around the fire with each one.
The seven vows cover a range of promises, including love, duty, respect, faithfulness, and a fruitful union. The couple promises to stand by each other and be true to one another, with the bride demanding respect from her husband and the groom expressing gratitude and calling the bride his best friend. They agree to share love, food, strengths, and tastes, and to be equal partners in the relationship.
In the final vow, the couple prays to God for companionship, togetherness, loyalty, and understanding. They ask God to make them friends and to grant them the maturity to maintain their friendship for life. With this, the couple seals their holy union, becoming companions for life.
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The couple prays for companionship and lifelong friendship
Hindu weddings are a vibrant, culture-rich affair, full of rituals and traditions that are both religious and social in significance. The wedding ceremony itself is sacred, and the couple is expected to recite seven vows, or 'saptapadi' in Sanskrit, while taking seven rounds or 'pheras' around a sacred fire.
The fifth vow of the wedding celebrates the importance of loyalty and dependency on each other. The groom expresses his gratitude and calls the bride his best friend, and the bride promises to love and cherish their relationship forever. She replies, "Arte arba sapade vadet," and pledges to honour him and strive to fulfil his wishes.
The final vow seals the completion of the holy union with a pledge of lifelong companionship. The couple promises to stand by each other and be true in their relationship always. This final vow is special because it is not only about the love between the couple but also about the friendship and loyalty that will sustain them as companions for life.
The rituals and customs of Hindu weddings may vary, but the seven vows are indispensable to the marriage ceremony. The couple prays for the peace and well-being of the entire universe, and their marriage is not just a union of two people but also of their families.
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The bride demands respect from her husband
During the ceremony, the couple is brought under a decorated altar called a mandap, with a holy fire at its centre. They then exchange vows, with the bride promising to honour and cherish her husband and asking him to respect her in return. This respect is demanded especially in front of family and friends, and the bride also expects her husband to avoid gambling and infidelity.
The bride's demand for respect is part of the larger theme of loyalty and companionship that runs through the seven vows. In the fifth vow, the groom expresses his gratitude and calls the bride his best friend, and the bride promises to love and cherish their relationship forever. The final vow seals their pledge of lifelong companionship, with the couple promising to stand by each other and be true to one another.
The seven vows are not just a ritual but are considered sacred promises that must be exchanged in a certain way. They are recited by the couple around the sacred fire, with each vow accompanied by a circumambulation or phera around the fire. The bride and groom are dressed in traditional wedding sarees and the ceremony is led by a family priest or purohit.
The seven vows are a significant ritual in Hindu weddings, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of Hinduism. They are indispensable to the marriage, with the couple's union deemed complete once the vows are conducted.
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The groom expresses gratitude and calls the bride his best friend
The seven vows, known as Saptapadi, are performed along with Mangal Pheras, which involves walking around a sacred fire. The vows are indispensable to Hindu marriages and are deemed complete once they are conducted. The bride and groom sit under the Mandap, or the sacred canopy, and the corners of the bride's saree and the groom's Uttariya are tied in a sacred knot by the priest. The couple then takes seven Pheras, or circumambulations, around the sacred fire, uttering a different promise with each one.
The seven vows are the most important ritual in a Hindu wedding as they sanctify the union and give social recognition to the marriage. They revolve around the necessary elements required to make the marriage successful and strengthen the bond between the partners. The vows cover the generally accepted dos and don'ts of a successful married life, including individual roles and the promise of putting each other's happiness first.
The fifth vow, in particular, emphasizes the significance of loyalty and companionship in the relationship. The groom expresses his gratitude and acknowledges the bride as his best friend, while the bride reciprocates by pledging her lifelong love and devotion to their union.
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The vows revolve around the necessary elements for a successful marriage
The Hindu wedding ceremony is a sacred and elaborate ritual, often extending over several days. The seven vows, or saptapadi, form the centrepiece of the wedding ceremony. They are indispensable to Hindu marriages and are deemed to complete the union, affording social recognition to the marriage.
The first phera or marriage vow is a promise made by the husband and wife to stay and go on pilgrimage together as a couple. They express their gratitude to the Holy Spirit for the abundance of food, water, and other nourishment and pray for strength to live together, respect one another, and care for each other.
The second phera is a prayer for physical and mental strength and a healthy and peaceful life. The couple also promises to protect their house and children. The bride promises to be by the groom's side as his courage and strength and to rejoice in his happiness.
In the third phera, the couple prays for the fulfilment of spiritual obligations and for spiritual strength. They also pray for wealth and prosperity and the education of their children. The bride promises to love her husband solely for the rest of her life and to remain chaste.
The fourth phera is a prayer for happiness and harmony through mutual love and trust and a long, joyous life together. The groom expresses his gratitude to the bride, calling her his best friend and a well-wisher. He asks God to bless her, and the bride promises to love and cherish him all her life.
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