The Seven Vows
Hey guys and gals,
how have you all been? I’m back, but only temporarily MAYBE. So, during my absence, what did I miss? Most probably, lots of new born blogs. There were some which I discovered last night on Mauritius Blog List. Honestly, there has been such a big growth of the Mauritian Blogging World. And I would like you all to say
Three Cheers To The Mauritian Blogging World!
Hip! Hip! Hip! Hurray!
Hipipipe! Carripoulé! 
Getting back to the blog title, “The Seven Vows”, does that trigger something in your mind? Oh yeah! I’m talking about The Seven Vows taken by the Bride & Bridegroom during the Hindu Wedding Ceremony. Ever wondered what each step symbolises? Did you know the Bride and Bridegroom, each, make a vow, while taking the rounds of the sacred fire? Do you know what are the promises being made? Ever asked a Pundit about it? I never did. Thankfully, Mum bought a book by Mrs. Sarita Boodhoo: Kanya Dan - The Why’s of Hindu Marriage Rituals.
While flipping the pages to get an overview of the contents, I came across the Seven Vows and the author refers to them as The Seven Steps Mantras. I am going to re-produce the explanation/interpretation.
First Step:
Bridegroom:
“My beloved, our love became firm by your walking one step with me. You will offer me food and be helpful in every way. I will cherish you and provide for your welfare and happiness and that of your children.”
Bride:
“I humbly submit to you my lord. Kindly give me the responsibility of the home, food and finance. I promise you that I shall discharge all responsibilities for the welfare of the family and the children.”
Second Step:
Bridegroom:
“My beloved, now you have walked the second step with me. Fill my heart with strength and courage and together we shall protect the household and the children.”
Bride:
“My Lord, in your grief, I shall fill your heart with courage and strength. In your happiness, I shall rejoice, I promise you that I will please you always with sweet words and take care of the family and children. And you shall love me and me alone as your wife.
Third Step:
Bridegroom:
“My beloved, now you have walked three steps with me. By virtue of this, our wealth and prosperity are going to grow. I shall look upon all other women as my sisters. Together, we will educate our children and may they live long.”
Bride:
My Lord, I will love you with single-minded devotion as my husband. I will treat all other men as my brothers. My devotion to you is of a chaste wife and you are my joy. This is my commitment and my pledge to you.”
Fourth Step:
Bridegroom:
“My beloved, it is a great blessing that you have walked four steps with me. You have brought auspiciousness and sacredness into my life. May we be blessed with obedient and noble children. May they live long.”
Wedding Z Vows
Bride:
“My lord, I will adorn myself from feet to head with flowers, garlands and ornaments, and anoint myself with sandalwood paste and fragrance for your sake. I will serve you and please you in every way I can.”
Fifth Step:
Bridegroom:
“My Beloved, now you have walked five steps with me, you have enriched my life. May God bless you. May our loved ones live long and share in our prosperity.”
Bride:
“My Lord, I share both in your joys and sorrows. Your love will make me trust and honour you. I will carry out your wishes.
Sixth Step:
Bridegroom:
“My beloved, you have filled my heart with happiness by walking six steps with me. May you fill my heart with great joy and peace at all times and seasons.”
Bride:
“My Lord, in all acts of righteousness, in material prosperity, in every form of enjoyment and divine acts, I promise you I shall participate and I shall always be with you.”
Seventh Step:
Bridegroom:
“My beloved, as you walked the seven steps with me, our love and friendship became eternal. We experienced spiritual union in God. Now you have become completely mine and I offer my life to you . Our marriage will be forever.”
Bride:
“My Lord, as per the law of God and the holy scriptures, I have become your spouse with the taking of the seventh step. Whatever promises we gave, we did so with a pure mind. We will be truthful to each other in all matters. We will love each other forever.”
So what is your opinion on the significance of The Seven Steps. While pondering on them, I started to imagine, how life would be perfect had both the husband and the wife adhered to their promises? But these happen only in dreams or Conte de Fées.
Makes me realise as well, that I have a very bad habit of counting the number of rounds that the Bride and Bridegroom take during a wedding ceremony. And I feel very sad to mention that most of the time they have taken only 3 or 5 rounds. And hence the BIG question arises, why is it that not all Seven Vows are taken? I once asked a Pundit about it, and he was unable to answer me 
I don’t wish to offend anybody by asking that question, it’s just a matter of curiosity. When the scriptures have stipulated Seven Vows, then why is not done according to the holy scriptures. Had it been out of ignorance, I could have accepted. Alas! It’s not!
Anyways… Passons…
I await your opinions/questions/criticisms (constructive ones, though) about this post. Comments are always most welcome.
If you wish to know something in particular about Hindu Marriage Rituals, drop me a comment. I’ll delve into the book and get you the answer.
Till the next post,
Cheers,
Chaya 
P.S: Part/Most of the contents of this post are copyrighted to Mrs. Sarita BOODHOO’s writing in Kanya Dan-The Why’s of Hindu Marriage Rituals.
