Hindu weddings are like gorgeous flower gardens! It’s all about the details, from the beauty of the flowers to the way they interact with one another. Hindu weddings are a combination of tradition, family, and fun. It is celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, and the couple that gets married is considered to be blessed by God.
The ceremony is followed by various rituals and customs that create a unique atmosphere for the occasion. The wedding ceremony includes rituals like chanting mantras, singing bhajans, lighting camphor and incense sticks, wearing sacred thread, i.e., Mangalsutra or Kadas and offering flowers to Gods. But the most important ritual is the Seven Vows, without which the Hindu wedding is incomplete.
What do Seven Vows Mean in Hindu Wedding Ceremony?
A Hindu marriage is a religious ceremony, that involves Seven Vows. It is considered a sacred event and is held on auspicious dates.
Several customs and rituals must be followed during this ceremony. The primary purpose of these vows is to bind the couple together in their relationship for life. Therefore, these vows are believed to have religious significance and are often referred to as “Saat Phere”.
In Hinduism, marriage is seen as a sacred ritual, that brings couples together and binds them for life. The idea of marriage is based on seven vows, which provide guidelines on how a couple should behave during their lifetime.
Hindus believe that marriage is a union of two souls; not bodies. They also believe that a marriage without full consent from both parties is invalid, and has to be dissolved by a court of law. Hindus have seven vows that they repeat during their wedding ceremony to make sure that the couple agrees on their wedding vows.
Seven Vows Symbolism
Seven vows in Hindu weddings symbolises the union of a couple. Therefore, a Hindu wedding is not just a celebration of love but also an opportunity for the couple to formalise their commitment to each other and their family.
It is a reflection of the couple’s commitment to each other, and their desire to be together forever. It also symbolises the union of the couple’s souls for the subsequent seven incarnations. Seven vows symbolise lifetime happiness, love, purity, and marriage.
The seven vows promise that the couple will stick together in good times. They vow to love each other forever, share their lives, cherish each other’s families, have children, be true to their family’s values and traditions, respect one another’s privacy, and care for each other when they are sick or old.
The Ritual of Seven Vows
The ritual is carried out in seven steps at Hindu weddings. These seven steps are referred to as “Saptapadi” (The Seven Steps or Rounds). The Seven Vows ritual known as Mangal Pheras, is performed while walking around the Agni (sacred fire).
In the presence of Pandits, the ritual is performed in Hindu temples or Mandaps. While the Pandit recites various promises in Sanskrit, the bride and groom stand up and begin to walk around Agni (sacred fire).
During beginning of the Mangal Pheras, the bride must be on the groom’s right side. All of this demonstrates the significance of the Seven Vows in Hindu Weddings, which are the most important aspect of a wedding.
The Pandit blesses each member of the wedding party separately with holy water, milk, and honeyed yoghurt. This signifies that all three are equal in importance when it comes to making marriage work i.e., husband, wife, and child; each one of them.
The Sacred Seven Vows
- First Phera / Vow- Prayer for Food and Responsibilities
The groom is the one who is responsible for providing food, financial security, and welfare to the bride and children during their marriage. It is a solemn vow that he takes upon himself to fulfil this obligation. The bride also promises to be responsible for managing household chores and raising children. She has been given a great responsibility as a wife and mother. She has to take care of her husband, children, and family. The groom has to provide all the necessary things for her life to be comfortable and happy.
- Second Phera / Vow – Mutual Strength
We promise that in good times and bad times, when life seems like it might When things take a turn for the worse, we will reach out for help from friends or family members if needed, but also remember that there is strength within ourselves as well; this is how we will stay strong throughout this journey of life, together.
In any situation, the groom promises to protect his wife and children. In addition, the bride promises to be groom’s strength and courage during difficult times.
- Third Phera/ Vow- Prosperity
The third vow in a Hindu wedding is a prayer for prosperity. It is considered one of the most important parts of the ceremony because it says that they will be able to support themselves financially and that they are committed to each other.
In a Hindu wedding, the third vow is made by saying: “I take this woman as my wife; I promise to love her, to protect her, to honour her, and keep myself pure until death separates us.”
The bride then responds, “I take this man as my husband; I promise to love him, protect him, honour him, and keep myself pure until death separates us.”
- Fourth Phera/ Vow- Family
The fourth vow is the commitment of the groom and bride to uphold the traditions of their family and community. They both, promise to honour their parents, ancestors, and those who come after them. They promise that they will make sure that their in-laws are given respect and are treated with love.
The groom also promises to take care of his mother and father-in-law’s needs and wants and the bride promises to do the same.
- Fifth Phera/Vow- Healthy Children
The fifth vow in a Hindu wedding is a prayer for healthy children. The bride and groom pray together and ask God to bless their union with a child who will be happy and successful in life.
- Sixth Phera / Vow- Healthy Life
Both bride and groom promise to be kind and generous towards each other, and enjoy a long, healthy, and prosperous life. The bride promises to be kind and loving to her husband. This pledge is made at the time of the marriage ceremony and is considered very sacred. It means that the woman will take care of her husband from until old age.
- Seventh Phera/ Vow- True Companion
The groom accepts the bride as his wife and lifelong companion. The bride she responds by accepting the groom as her husband. They vow to love and respect one another. She will protect him from all kinds of problems and love him unconditionally throughout the life.
