HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - Part 40

[Guest guest]

HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES -

WHY DO WE FOLLOW THOSE?

 

Hindu Wedding

In a Hindu arranged marriage there are various rituals and customs. According to Hindu Sastra there are four stages of life and the second stage is Grahastha Ashram (the householder stage), which signifies married life and it begins when a man and a woman come together and marry. Marriage is treated as an institution, which teaches the actual values of life. Every stage in life has its own charm. A married life also has its own charm and importance. The old Hindu scriptures like Vedas say that among the couple there should be mutual trust, give and take attitude and loyalty, which are the essentials for a happy marriage life. In ancient time the marriages were not arranged by the family or elders. Grown up men and women used to choose each other and started staying together like the modern society. According to a href class there are eight types of marriages- 1.Braahmam : The parents chose the right spouse for their daughters. 2.Praajaapathyam :Groom wanted to marry to become a grahasthan for practicing Dharma. 3.Aarusham :The man approached to the bride`s father to have his daughter and offered two cows in exchange. 4.Daiveekam : When a href Yajna was performed the Kings used to offer their daughters to the Rishis who conducted the yajna. 5.Asuram : In this marriage the groom used to offer a lot of money or other forms of wealth to either the bride or her parents.. 6.Gaandharvam : A man and woman falling in love marry each other out of lust.7.Raakshasam: The process includes abducting a girl and marry her.8.Paisaasam : It is getting married to a girl who is sleeping or unaware of what is going on due to the influence of drug or intoxication. The modern day marriages use many mantras and chantings from RigVeda.. The Main Rituals All of the rituals vary based on family traditions. The names of the rituals also vary. Engagement

A decision made by the parents in front of the community members to have the marriage, sometimes using a document. Tilak Ceremony

Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead using Kumkum, a red turmeric powder. The male members of the bride's family, like her father, brother, uncles place a tilak on the forehead of the groom. This is typically followed by giving some gifts to the groom and the groom's accompanying family members requesting them to take care of the bride later. Mehendi Lagwana

Another name for “Vivaah†is “haath pila karna†or simply translated, making hands yellow. Mehendi (henna) is applied to the bride’s hands and feet. In the right hand, a round spot is left open for Hathlewa.

During marriage festivities GANAPATI PUJA’ (Vigneshwara Pujai) As in an inauguration of any function so also in a marriage – Ganapati, the God of Initiation is invoked, to keep away all impediments. Barat Nikasi

The groom, leaves for the wedding venue riding a decorated horse or elephant. This is a very colorful and grand ceremony. The groom is dressed in a sherwani (long jacket) and 'churidars' (fitted trousers). On his head he wears a 'sehra' (turban) with a 'kalgi' (brooch) pinned onto it. The turban usually has flowers extending from it to keep the grooms face covered during the wedding ceremony. Before he departs, his relatives apply the ceremonial 'tilak' on his forehead and his sister feeds the horse or elephant sweetened grain. The 'baraat' (consisting of the groom seated on the horse or elephant, and relatives and friends of the groom) is headed by the dancing of the congregated folks. Accompanied by the rhythm of the north Indian dholak, the baraat reaches the place of the wedding. Upon arriving at the venue of the wedding, the groom is welcomed by a welcome song. This is called "talota". Then the groom knocks on the door with his sword and enters. Var Mala

 

The groom is led to a small stage where he is greeted and “showered†by the bride's family with flowers. The maternal uncle, brother or brides' best friends bring the bride to the stage. The bride and the groom are handed the garlands while the priest is chanting the religious hymns. Following this, the groom and bride exchange garlands, which are the var mala or te jay mala, signifying their acceptance of each other as husband and wife. Then, the groom’s mother-in-law measures the groom’s chest, and pokes and prods him to make sure he is tough enough to defend her daughter. She then puts kajal on the groom to ward off evil spirits. Aarti

The 'baraatis' (groom's party) are received by the bride's family and at the entrance to the wedding venue.. The bride's mother welcomes the groom by performing the 'aarti' (traditional Indian welcome ritual with a lamp or 'diya' placed on a platter or 'thali') to welcome her son-in-law and placing a tilak on his forehead Kanya Daan

Kanya Daan which mean Gifting away virgin, has been derived from the Sanskrit words Kanya which mean a virgin and Daan which mean donation. Kanya Daan is a very significant ritual performed by the father of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The father pours out libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of his virgin daughter to the bride groom, who is a form of god. The groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the god of love, for pure love and blessings. As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends :

 

dharma,

artha,

and kama.

The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama . This ritual is performed early on before Phere. Ideally, the parents of the bride place the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom and place their own left hands at the bottom and the right hands (the two of them) on top, securing the Conch with gold, betel nut, flowers and a little fruit (in it) placed in bride's hand. It is at this point that the purpose of the Kanyadaan is clearly stated per scripture ( kamo daata..., etc)and the names of the parents and forefathers are stated from both sides. Wedding can not legally proceed without this Kanyadaan step in which parents of the bride agree to the wedding. This must be remembered that in Hindu Wedding, the bride and groom marry each other and the priest only assists with the Mantra. He can not declare them married as no authority is vested in him to do so. Agni, gods and the invited members of the family and friends are the witness. NOTE : Also, Kanyadaan must not be treated like a Godaan in which the cow/ calf is given away with the rope with no subsequent rights on the objects gifted away. Knyadaan still leaves parents with certain rights on their daughter. It is in recognition of that residual right that the daughter can and does perform a partial shraddh on their demise just like the son does - only a more elaborate one. Feminism feels the Kanya Daan is a male dominated ritual which shows women like objects. But in fact, Kanya Daan ritual makes a husband to consider that his wife is the most precious gift given to him by the god. In Hindu

Marriages, Woman who marries for the second time is not eligible for Kanya Daan ritual. Panigrahana Hathlewa

After being led to the wedding mandup, the bride and groom have their hands tied together. The priest does a puja to Lord Ganesh and then puts a coin & mehendi on the bride's right hand where the round empty spot is (where no mehendi was put) and ties his hand with the brides. This puja is done schedule in advance based on an auspicious time & date. Gathabandhan In this ritual priest tying a knot using the ends of the clothing worn by the bride and groom. The priest ties the end of the groom's dhoti or the kurta; whichever he is wearing, with that of the bride's saree, the knot signifying the sacred wedlock. Laja Homa and circumambulation

The ritual connotes the actual core wedding ceremony, for the very meaning of the word "vivaah" is-marriage[. The groom and the bride then circle the holy fire seven times, making seven promises to be fulfilled in the married life, after which they are considered to be 'married' to each other. This ritual is called "phere". Saptapadi

The bridegroom gets up from his seat holding his bride's right hand. He then goes around the Holy Fire (Agni) from the right side, by lifting his bride's right foot at each step. This is done for seven steps. With each step, he recites a mantra addressed to the bride with the following meaning.

To provide for food always.

To give you excellent health and energy.

Todained in Vedas, during your life time.

To give you happiness in life.

To make your cows and good animals to grow in strength and in numbers.

To make all the seasons be beneficial to you.

To make the homams (sacrifices to be done in Holy Fire) to be performed by you in your life as ordained in Vedas, successful and free from hindrances.

The idea behind this is to pray to Lord Vishnu, the protector of life, for his blessings in marital life. The groom then recites a mantra to convey the following meaning: After crossing seven steps with me thus, you should become my friend. I too have become your friend now. I will never discard this friendship and you should also not do that. Let us be together always. Let us resolve to do things in life in the same manner and tread the same path. Let us lead a life by liking and loving each other, having good hearts and thoughts, and enjoying the food and our strong points together. Let us have undivided opinions.

We will perform the vrithas united. Let us have same and joint desires. I will be Sama (one of the vedas); you will be Rig (another Veda). Let me be the Heaven; you be the Earth. Let me be the Shukla (Moon) and you be its wearer. Let me be the mind and you its spokesman (Vak). With these qualities, you be my follower. You the sweet tongued, come to me to get good children and wealth.

Saubhagya Chinha (Blessing the Bride) The bridegroom blesses the bride by putting Kumkum or Sindoor (Vermilion Powder) at the parting of her hair (or on her forehead) and by giving her a sacred necklace (Mangal Sutra). The Mangal Sutra represents the couple's togetherness, love and sacred union. Haridaya-Sparsha (Touching of Hearts) The bride and bridegroom touch each other's heart reciting promises to each other. The pandit closes the wedding ceremony with his blessing, the Aashirwaad, and the marriage is complete. The bride is then sent off with her husband, a ritual known as Kanya Vidaai. As she leaves, the bride's brother puts a shawl on her shoulders with a blessing for happiness. Blessings Blessings by the parents, acharya and elders for the new couple. It may be preceeded by a talk on practicing their grahastha-dharma, coundut as a married couple. Vidaai

This is considered to be the most emotional ritual, when the bride leaves her parents' home and makes her way to her husband's. Family and friends, who also shower her with blessings and gifts, give her a tearful farewell. The male members of the bride's family bid farewell to the groom by applying the traditional 'tilak' (vermilion) on his forehead and shower him with gifts. At their new home Darshan After Vidaai, the couple first visits a temple, preferably that of Lord Rama and Sita, to seek their blessing from where they move towards Groom' house. Dwar-Rokai

After leaving the groom’s father-in-law’s house, the couple come home. They are stopped at the entrance of the house by either the groom’s sister or his father’s sister. There, in an earthen vessel, the sister/aunt uses a mixture of salt and water to ward off evil spirits from the groom. After this, the pot is thrown on the ground and destroyed. After this, the couple enter the house. Griha Pravesh When the bride arrives at her new home, her mother-in-law, who welcomes her with the traditional 'Aarti’. At the entrance, she puts her right foot onto a tray of vermilion powder mixed in water or milk, symbolizing the arrival of good fortune and purity. With both her feet now covered in the red powder paste, she kicks over a vessel filled with rice and coins to denote the arrival of fertility and wealth in her marital home.

dil se,

Bharath.Krishna

Doha, Qatar

Now surf faster and smarter ! Check out the new Firefox 3 - Edition * Click here!