Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Namaste, everyone on the list I write this to give an example of inter-faith understanding. On the 29th of June at the wedding ceremony of my grandson Guhan Subramanian with Helen Clement at the Swedenborg Chapel, Cambridge, MA, both the christian ceremony and a sample of Hindu vedic benediction were performed with the permission of the Chief Priest Rev.Father Tafel. After the Marriage Covenant and the Ring Exchange Ceremony were over, I,being the grandfather of the groom and the eldest person on the groom's side present, read from the dais a vedic benediction in the form of a recitation. It involved a permuting repetition, (known as the ghana recital)in a certain order, of the words which together meant the following: May the dedication to a life-long commitment made this day ( between this man and this woman) result in great prosperity, untarnished reputation, success in all that they undertake together, and the attainment of all worthy goals. Further I supplemented this by a sequence of 10 sentences of blessing (in Sanskrit) after each of which and its translation, the audience assembled there said in chorus SO BE IT (meaning of tathA-astu)in approval by the assembly. It went like this: 1. svasti mantrArthAs-satyAs-saha-phalAs-santviti bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May there be peace and the noble persons present here so bless that the meaning of the mantras and rituals be true and fruitful) All: SO BE IT. 2. anayor-dampatyoH vedoktam dIrgham Ayushyam bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May this couple have the long life mentioned in the scriptures and the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 3. ayam muhUrtas-sumuhUrto bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May this moment of wedlock be auspicious to its fullest and the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 4. anayor dampatyoH sakala-devatAnAm atyantam AnukUlyam bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May the Divine Power pour forth their richest blessings on this couple and the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 5. anayor dampatyoH Subetara-phala-pradAtRNAm devatAnAm Sakter-nirasanaM bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May the Divine Power overcome any forces that may affect the well-being of this couple and the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 6.anayor dampatyoH Subha-phala-pradAtRNAm SaktiH atyanta atiSayena phaladA bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May the well-wishing Powers that be abundantly shower their best on this couple and may the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 7. anayor dampatyoH Ayur-balam yaSo varcaH paSavas-sthairyam siddhir-lakshmIH kshamA kAntis-sadguNA AnandaH ityeteshAm sadA abhivRddhir-bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May this couple continuously grow in health, good reputation, beauty, prosperity, integrity, forbearance, friendship, love and contentment and may the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 8. anayor dampatyoH nityotsavo nityaSrIH nityamangalam bhUyAditi bhavanto mahAntonugRNantu (May this couple be blessed with abundant joy, constant prosperity and continuing good fortune and may the noble persons present here so bless) All: SO BE IT 9.deSesmin sAntirastu; sarve janAssukhino bhavantu (May this nation enjoy peace; May all people be blessed with happiness) All: SO BE IT 10. samasta-sanmangaLAni santu; uttarottarAbhivRddhir-astu (Let there be all-round good fortune; and may we all continue always to strive towards the Highest Good) All: SO BE IT The audience listened in rapt attention to the Sanskrit saying as well as its translation and with great enthusiasm echoed the words SO BE IT with great sanctity and respect. The entire international gatghering of Europeans, Americans, Americans of Indian origin and Indians liked the programme so much that there have been requests to borrow the script from me for future similar use. I therefore thought I will report this to you. The event was also reported in New York Times of 30th June on their weddings page. Yours , profvk ===== Prof. V. Krishnamurthy My website on Science and Spirituality is http://www.geocities.com/profvk/ You can access my book on Gems from the Ocean of Hindu Thought Vision and Practice, and my father R. Visvanatha Sastri's manuscripts from the site. Sign up for SBC Dial - First Month Free http://sbc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Namaste, Thank you Prof. Krishnamurthy for sharing this edifying example. In another interfaith wedding I attended, the Surya Vivaha section from the Rig-Veda was recited: [tr. Raimondo Panikkar] http://www.himalayanacademy.com/books/vedic_experience/Part2/VEPartIIC hB.html May All the Divine Powers Join Our Two Hearts in One Surya-vivaha 15 This famous hymn describes the marriage of Surya, daughter of the Sun (Surya), with Soma, who here personifies the Moon. This cosmic event is the model and image of every human marriage. The text has two clear-cut parts. The first introduces us to Soma and the second describes practically all the ceremonies of the marriage. After the stanzas (1-19) describing the marriage of Soma the Moon with Surya the Sun-maiden they are proclaimed an inseparable couple, and the second part of the hymn celebrates the human part of the wedding ceremony. The verses that follow are put into the mouths of the different persons taking part: the priest, the bride, the bridegroom, and so on. The bride is taken solemnly from her father's house to the dwelling of her future husband. The Gandharva is sent away, while those who have arranged the marriage are given a blessing for their journey and enterprises. Then the bride is brought into her new home, where, on her arrival, the marriage is performed. The ceremony of the bridal robe, that of the taking of her hand, the circumambulation of the sacred fire, and the settling into the new home are among the rites described in the second part of this hymn. Surya-vivaha RV X, 85, 20-47 20. Mount, O Surya, this gold-hued chariot fashioned from many-shaped planks of Kimshuka and Shalmali wood, strong-wheeled, smooth-rolling. Forth to the world immortal! Prepare for your husband a happy bridal journey! 21. " This woman has a husband. Go, seek another a girl in her father's home ripe for marriage " --I thus addressed Vishvavasu in song-- " and thus fulfill the task assigned you. " 22. Get up from here, Vishvavasu! We entreat you now with due respect. Seek another willing girl and leave the wife alone with her husband. 23. Straight be the paths and thornless on which our friends will travel to present our suit! May Aryaman and Bhaga lead us together! May heaven grant us a stable marriage! 24. I free you now from the fetter of Varuna with which the kindly Savitri secured you. Unharmed within the bosom of Order I set you, along with your husband, in the world of goodness. 25. I free her from this knot, not from that other in which I have now well and truly bound her, in such a way that, mothering fine sons, she may dwell in happiness, O generous Indra! 26. May the Provident One lead you, holding your hand! May the two Ashvins transport you on their chariot! Enter your house as that household's mistress. May authority in speech ever be yours! 27. May happiness await you with your children! Watch o'er this house as mistress of the home. Unite yourself wholly with your husband. Thus authority in speech till old age will be yours. 28. Dark blue and red is the magic sign which clings so closely. The kinsmen of the bride prosper; the husband is bound with bonds. 29. Cast away the dirty robe! Distribute the treasure among the priests! This magic sign, assuming feet, approaches the husband in guise of a wife! 30. Ugly his body, of lurid hue, if with evil intent the husband covers his member with the robe of his bride. 31. The diseases that belong to her own people and follow in the wake of the bridal procession-- these may the worshipful Gods despatch hence to the place from which they came! 32. May those who lurk to bar the pathway not find the bridal couple as they go! May they escape by pleasant paths all harm! Let all the ill-wishers flee away! 33. Signs of good fortune attend the bride. Congregate, one and all, to see her! Wish her joy and return to your homes! 34. It is pungent in odor, sharp, full of barbs. It resembles poison unfit for eating. Only he who knows the Surya hymn is worthy to take the bridal robe. 35. Now it is cut, severed, and divided! See the beautiful colors of Surya! Only the priest can purify these. 36. I take your hand in mine for happiness, that you may reach old age with me as husband. Bhaga, Savitri, Aryaman, Purandhi, have given you to be my household's mistress. 37. Rouse her, O Provident One, this bride of many charms, in whom as in a field men sow the seed. Let her, desirous, open her thighs, that we, desirous, may insert the member. 38. To you they bring, first, in bridal procession this Surya, guiding her steps in circles. Return her now, O Agni, to her husband as rightful wife, and grant to her children. 39. Agni has now returned the bride endowed with splendors and length of life. May she live a lengthy span of days and may her husband live a hundred autumns! 40. This woman was first acquired by Soma. Next the Gandharva was her guardian. To Agni, third, was she presented in marriage. Her fourth husband is born of a woman. 41. Thus Soma passed her on to the Gandarva and he in turn presented her to Agni. Agni has given to me wealth and sons; it is he who has given me this my wife. 42. Dwell in this home; never be parted! Enjoy the full duration of your days, with sons and grandsons playing to the end, rejoicing in your home to your heart's content. 43. May Prajapati grant to us an issue, Aryaman keep us till death in holy marriage! Free from ill omens, enter the home of your husband. Bring blessing to both humans and cattle. 44. Not evil-eyed nor harmful to your husband, kind to dumb beasts, radiant, gentle-hearted; pleasing, beloved by the Gods, bring forth heroes. To menfolk and beasts alike bring blessing. 45. Bless now this bride, O bounteous Lord, cheering her heart with the gift of brave sons. Grant her ten sons; her husband make the eleventh! 46. Act like a queen to your husband's father, to your husband's mother likewise, and his sister. To all your husband's brothers be queen. 47. May all the divine Powers together with the Waters join our two hearts in one! May the Messenger, the Creator, and Holy Obedience unite us! Regards, Sunder Ramakrishna, " V. Krishnamurthy " <profvk> wrote: > Namaste, everyone on the list > a vedic benediction in the form of a recitation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Dear Sunderji What a valuable posting of yours! My appreciations and thanks. Yours, profvk ===== Prof. V. Krishnamurthy My website on Science and Spirituality is http://www.geocities.com/profvk/ You can access my book on Gems from the Ocean of Hindu Thought Vision and Practice, and my father R. Visvanatha Sastri's manuscripts from the site. Sign up for SBC Dial - First Month Free http://sbc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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