Hindu Marriage vows
Hindu marriage vows, known as “Saptapadi” or the seven steps, are the core ritual where the couple takes seven steps together, each step representing a Hindu Marriage vow they make to each other. These vows vary slightly depending on regional and cultural traditions within Hinduism, but the essence remains similar. In Hind weddings, every step is guided by a Hindu wedding priest Destination weddings in the UK
So, here we are to tell you the meaning and significance of the Hindu Marriage vows ‘saat phere’ or ‘saptapadi’ that bind the couple together for eternity.
In the Hindu Marriage vows may vary based on regional customs and personal preferences, but here is a common set of Hindu Marriage vows or Saptapadi vows:
Hinduism wedding Rituals step by step
Here Are What The Hindu Marriage vows Signifies And Symbolize:
First step (Prayer for nourishment) Hindu Marriage vows:
The couple prays for nourishment and sustenance, promising to provide for each other and their family Guide by a Hindu wedding priest.
How do I prepare for my Indian Hindu wedding?
In response, the bride promises to take care of the household whilst sharing the groom’s responsibility unitedly.
The first phera signifies the bride and groom’s willingness to bring prosperity to their lives while fulfilling their responsibilities.
Second step (Strength in sickness and health) Hindu Marriage vows:
They pledge to support each other in sickness and health, promising to stand by each other through all challenges.
In response, the bride ensures that she will be by his side to encourage him in all his endeavors. Also, in return, she asks the groom to love her solely.
In the second phera the couple prays to God for physical and mental strength to lead a blissful life.
Third step (Prosperity) Hindu Marriage vows:
The couple seeks blessings for prosperity and wealth in their life together, committing to work together for financial stability and success.
The bride promises that she will wholeheartedly love him and will be devoted to their family and every other man in her life will be hereon secondary to her.
In this phera, the couple asks God to bless them with the abundance of everything that they need to live a comfortable and prosperous life.
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Fourth step (Family) Hindu Marriage vows:
They vow to share responsibilities and build a harmonious family life, respecting each other’s families and traditions.
The bride promises to love her husband and shower him with joy and happiness. She says she will stick by him through thick and thin.
The fourth phera is for the couple to promise each other that they will shower happiness, love, and respect on each other.
Fifth step (Progeny) Hindu Marriage vows:
The couple prays for children and commits to raising them with love, care, and good values.
To this, the bride responds that she will trust him, love him, and respect him till her last breath. Promises that her happiness lies in his happiness and she will build a happy home for their children.
The fifth phera is all about praying for noble and loving children. The couple wishes and promises to each other to lead a love-filled life, support their dreams, and accept them for who they are.
Sixth step (Harmony and understanding) Hindu Marriage vows:
They promise to develop understanding, patience, and harmony in their relationship, supporting each other’s growth and aspirations.
The bride promises to be always by his side and stand together through all the joys and sorrows of life.
The sixth phera is all about a happy and harmonious life together. It allows the groom to tell his bride the depth of his love and the happiness he has felt after finding her. While the bride affirms her affection towards the groom and promises to stand by him forever.
Seventh step (Eternal companionship) Hindu Marriage vows:
Finally, they pledge to remain lifelong companions, walking together through all the ups and downs of life, and promising loyalty and love until eternity.
The bride accepts the vow and promises, with God and the holy fire being our witness, she is now his wife. She vows to live and love with honor and cherish each other forever. She proclaims that she will do all the possible things to keep up the promises that have been made during the holy rituals.
In the seventh and the last phera together, the couple seals the bond and promises to be faithful companions.
How do I prepare for my Indian Hindu wedding?
The couple takes seven full circles, walking clockwise around the Agni, representing the seven principles and promises they make to each other; each step is referred to as a ‘phere’ and guided by a Hindu priest. They are tied together with the dupattas, or chunis, from the Granthi Bandhanam ritual, which keeps the couple united as they make their rounds. Although there is no literal part of the ceremony that represents the Western mentality of vow exchanging, these seven steps parallel that ideal in that the couple ‘vows’ to fulfill these principles during their married life successfully.
These vows symbolize the commitment between the couple and their integration into the broader social and spiritual fabric of Hindu society.
