Marriage is a sacred institution in India. In India, marriage is not only a two soul affair but it is the marriage between two families. This sacred thread binds two person together and the families of the duo unite together to be a part of the family. These days, there are several matrimonial sites to search bride and groom for your child, sibling or a friend.
The concept of matrimony is same across the world but the culture, rituals and traditions differ from place to place and what I believe that the Hindu marriage follows extensive rituals and customs to solemnize the marriage.
Among the customs and rituals, the important ones are Jaimala, Sindoor daan, wearing of Mangalsutra and the Seven vows taken by the bride and groom while taking Saat Pheras around the sacred fire. The couple seeks the blessings of God and fire to be together for next seven births by taking the Saat Phere.
The mantras of Seven vows are chanted by the Priests of the family and the bride and the groom repeats them during their turns. But do they really understand the terms of the Seven Vows that they promise to abide by. I believe very few of them understand the vows fully and follow the promises in life. Majority of couples chant after Pandit without understanding the real meaning.
They are sacred vows and if it is followed religiously by both the partners, they can lead a happy life with no grudges because it teaches them the principles to lead a happy and caring life taking care of each other’s responsibility as their own. The united soul can bring great difference in the life of each other while treading on the path of life as great companions.
The 7 sacred vows are the Vedic scriptures and it has been segregated as holy vows to bring husband and wife on the same platform of understanding and love.
The First Vow: The Groom vows to bride that he will be responsible for providing the nourishment, welfare and happiness to the wife and the children.
The Bride vows to the groom that she will take care of the family and household and will share his responsibility as her own.
The Second Vow: The Groom vows to bride that he will remain loyal and faithful to his wife and will stand by her throughout the thick and thins of life. He will be with her providing mental, physical and financial stability and security to her and family.
The Bride vows to the groom that she will willingly share the responsibility by helping him in every possible way and be ready to endure all with courage and strength.
The Third Vow: The Groom vows to bride that he will work hard putting all his efforts to bring wealth and prosperity in the house and giving education to their children.
The Bride vows to the groom that she will act responsibly in maintaining the resources and devote her love exceptionally to her husband and all other men would be secondary in her life. She will be loyal throughout life, maintaining chastity.
The Fourth Vow: The Groom thanks to bride that through this sacred affair of marriage, she has made his life beautiful and complete and he vows to respect both set of families. He will respect her wishes and will include her in all his major decisions.
The Bride vows to groom that she will stand by his side in all rituals, family and religious commitments and will walk by his side giving her consent for his decisions. She will respect and regard his decisions and include his say in all her decisions. In case any danger intercepts his way, she will stand before him to save him and will be ready to sacrifice her life for him.
The Fifth Vow: The couple vows to be with each other sharing their happiness and sorrows with great understanding and care. They together pray to God to bless them with healthy children and they both will strive to nurture their children with enriching values and generous lifestyle.
The Sixth Vow: The couple vows to love and respect each other and stand together in times of joy and grief. They together pray to seek the blessings of God to bestow them with healthy and long life filled with joy, peace and prosperity so that they can carry their duties and responsibilities towards each other.
The Seventh Vow: The couple vows together that through this ritual of Sacred Seven Vows, they have become husband and wife uniting their soul. They are united with a divine thread of togetherness and they will love each other and be there for each other till eternity. They as a couple will walk together as great companions, sharing each and everything of life, honouring and loving each other unconditionally. They promise to abide by all the holy seven vows with pure and honest intentions that they have promised during the ritual of marriage.
Ah, the segregated vows were compiled ages before but it has an essence of modern values. They stand for equality among the couple and together, they form a pure bonding of love, understanding and care entering into matrimonial relationships
All the would-be husbands and wives should read these sacred seven vows and understand their true meaning that lies in the vows and try to adopt in their life when they unite as a couple to bring love, peace and harmony in their life.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment and wise decisions usher’s life with happiness.
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