Sapthapathi: The bridegroom(BG) gets up from the seat holding the right hand of the bride(B). He then goes round the Holy Fire (Agni) from the right side, by lifting the right feet of B step by step. This is done for seven steps. With each step, he recites a mantra addressed to B, with the following meaning. "Let Lord Maha Vishnu follow each one of your steps for the following specific purposes. Step 1: To give you unlimited food. Step 2. To give you excellent health and energy. Step 3. To make you perform your vrithas (rituals) as ordained in Vedas, during your life time. Step 4. To give you happiness in life. Step 5. To make your cows and good animals to grow in strength and in numbers. Step 6. To make all the seasons be beneficial to you. Step 7. To make the homams (sacrifices to be done in Holy Fire) to be performed by you in your life as ordained in Vedas, successful and free from hindrances." Obviously, the idea behind this is to pray to Lord Vishnu, the protector of life, for his blessings in marital life. BG then recites a mantra to convey the following meaning: "After crossing seven steps with me thus, you should become my friend. I too have become your friend now. I will never discord this friendship and you should not also do that. Let us be together always. Let us resolve to do things in life in the same manner and tread the same path. Let us lead a life by liking and loving each other, having good heart and thoughts, and enjoying the food and our strong points together. Let us have undivided opinions. We will perform the vrithas united. Let us have same and joint desires. I will be Sama (one of the vedas); you will be Rig (another Veda). Let me be the Heaven; you be the Earth. Let me be the Shukla (Moon) and you be its wearer. Let me be the mind and you its spokesman (Vak). With these qualities, you be my follower. You the sweet tongued, come to me to get good male children and wealth."
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:27:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015