It is very nice when your loved one promises to spend the whole life together with you. In an Indian wedding, it goes beyond a promise or expression of love. It is an eternity commitment. An Indian wedding is considered a sacred exchange of vows. It encompasses the Indian culture and tradition that lay down the rules for a blissful married life. There are seven vows, or Saptadi, that are performed during the mangalpheras. A sacred fire, or havankund, is lit with sandalwood, evoking Lord Agni, the god of fire. The priest chants the mantras from the Vedas, a book of ancient scriptures. The couple walk around the havankund pledging their commitment to be together through thick and thin, which is witnessed by Lord Agni. Before the pheras, the bride sits to the right of the groom, but shortly after the pheras she moves to the left side, symbolizing her approach to her heart.
First Vachan: an appeal for pure food, nutrition and prosperity.
Buttons: “Om Esha ekapadi bhava iti prathaman”. (I will offer prosperity and well-being to you and our children. You will embrace me with your friendly hand and food).
Bride: “Dhanam dhanyam pade vadet.” (I promise to fulfill all my duties and responsibilities of food and finances towards the well-being of our home, family and children).
Second Vachan: a prayer for mental, physical and spiritual strength to lead a healthy life
Buttons: “Om oorje jara dastayaha”. (Give me courage and strength to protect family and home).
Girlfriend: “Kutumbum rakshayishyammi sa aravindharam.” (I promise to sweeten your life with my words. I will fill your heart with strength to overcome sorrows and in return, you will not love anyone but me.)
Third Vachan: seeking prosperity and wealth
Buttons: “Om stripes santu joradastayah”. (You will grace your presence in my life, which will mark the growth of our wealth and prosperity. All other women will be my sisters. And we will educate our children to give them a bright future).
Bride: “Tava bhakti as vadedvachacha.” (I will dedicate myself to you as a pure wife. I will treat all other men as my brothers.)
Fourth Vachan: invoking the god for peace and joy through love and trust
“Om may bhavyas jaradastaya ha” buttons. (Your presence is sacred to my life, my love. We will be blessed with long-lived obedient children).
Bridle “Lalayami cha pede vadet”. (My lord, I will please you in every possible way. I will put on fragrance and sandalwood paste for you.)
Fifth Vachan: The couple asks God for the good of all human beings. They want to be awarded virtuous children.
Buttons: “Om prajabhyaha santu jaradastayaha”. (You will be blessed by the gods and you will share your prosperity with our loved ones. You will be my life).
Bridle “Arte arba sapade vadet”. (I will share your sorrows and joys. You will be my love, trust and honor. I will fulfill your wishes.)
Sixth Vachan: looking for a happy life together
The bride is the only one of the couple who recites this vow. Before doing so, the priest says something like this: “You have filled my heart with joy and happiness after taking 6 pheras with me. You will rejoice me and bring peace and happiness in all walks of life.”
Bride: “Yajna hom shashthe vacho vadet”. (I will be by your side in all fair and divinely approved acts).
Seventh Vachan: calling on the gods to bless them with loyalty, companionship and compatibility
Buttons: “Om sakhi jaradastyahga”. (We have completed the seventh phera and now we have united our souls. We are together until death do us part. Our love has become eternal.)
Bridle: “Attramshe sakshino vadet pade”. (We have vowed to stand together before the gods, chanting their prayers. We have vowed with a pure mind and will remain faithful throughout our lives. With this I am your wife.)
In the first four pheras, the groom leads and the bride follows, while in the last three pheras, the bride leads her groom. As they walk through the havankund, they take the seven vows that bind the couple together for life.
