The seven vows.

Most of us are of the view that a Hindu marriage is completed by tying the knot ---i.e --Thali and quickly make a beeline to the dining hall after congratulating the couples.

The tying of the knot is only symbolical.The marriage which is considered as a religious sacrament is complete only when the couple take seven steps around the sacred fire.

I became aware of the significance of Saptapadi or seven steps only when I studied law ,wherein the Hindu Marriages Act recognises the completion of 7 steps around the sacred fire as a valid marriage. Per chance , if the couple are unable to complete all the 7 steps and circuits , though progressing up to the 6 th , the marriage is invalid !

Nearly all of us miss the actual marriage and abandon the couple and the priest on the podium to go through the actual rituals of a valid Hindu marriage all by themselves . They cut a sorry picture , lonely at a time when they ought to be surrounded by friends and relatives , to witness the most important event of their life!

I must confess here that though I was aware of the significance of 'Sapthapadi when I got married , the meaning of the words chanted by the priest and repeated by us , were all Dutch [ Sanskrit] to me . It was only a decade later that I came to know of the meanings of those words .Every couple ought to know the meaning of the vows they exchange at the ceremony ,itself . This will bind them together and inspire and encourage them to lead a happy , meaningful and a prosperous life .

Married life would become a 'duet' and not a' duel' if they implicitly follow the vows they take together.Family is the bedrock of society .A committed and a happy couple will contribute greatly to the peace and prosperity of a society. Another significance of marriage is that any major yaga can be initiated by a person only if he is accompanied by his consort . Only she can light the fire .
The meaning of the vows taken in each phera or circumbulation around the sacred fire -- Agni that are never to be broken,stated briefly, are as follows.

In the first phera the vow taken is to request god to give plenty of nourishing food and ability to lead a respectable life.

In the second phera they vow to lead a healthy and peaceful life by developing mental and physical strengths.

In the third phera or circuit the couples invoke the god for spiritual strength.

In the fourth phera they pledge to lead a happy and long married life through mutual love ,respect, understanding and trust .

In the fifth phera an vow is taken to expand their lineage by having children , for whom they will be responsible and pray that ,they may be endowed with noble children

In the sixth phera they take an oath to go through all seasons of life together sharing joys and sorrows.

At the last phera i e the seventh circumbulation the couple take a vow to be true and loyal to each other and to remain companions and best of friends .

After exchanging these vows the couple agree to be companions forever.

The bride and the groom also say the following after completing the seven steps or saptapadi .....

''Since we have taken the seven steps together you have become mine and I have become yours . Here after I cannot live without you . Donot live without me . You are thought and I am sound .May , the night,the morning,the earth, the heavens , the plants and the sun be honey sweet to us . May the cow yield us honey sweet milk. As the heavens , the earth, the mountains and the whole universe is stable like wise may our union be stable and everlasting!