The Arya Samaj Wedding

The Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 by Swami Dayanad. As a young man he left his family in search of truth and wandered all over India and studied at many places. He devoted his life to propagating the Vedic religion and the reform of society. This was a time in India when a number of social and reform movements were altering the face of Indian society. It was a transition from medievalism to modern age, a period of rebellion against the mindless ritualism and evils that were so much a part of society. To the Indian mind stirred by contact with forces from the west, society was in need of change, the Arya Samaj was one of the agents of this change.

Marriage in this context is treated as one of the most important aspects of man's life. The premise is that man is a social animal whose growth is dependent on the solidarity of the family. As no family can come into existence without the institution of marriage, great importance has been attached to this institution.

The Arya Samaj also believes that the institution of marriage is a code prescribed in the Vedas. To quote a verse which is recited during the Lajahoma:

Sarasvati predamava subhage vajinivati. 
Yantva vishvasya bhutasya prajayama 
syagrtah Yasyam bhutam samabhavat
yasyam vishvamidam jagat.  Tamadya 
gatham gasyami  ya strinam yashah.
(Paraskar, 1, 2).

"O bride! You are the symbol of culture, source of all round pleasure and happiness and the mistress of grain and wealth, protect and strengthen this conjugal affinity. You represent the Prakriti, the material couse of this universe..."

Here the couple is representative of Prakriti and Purusha the couple responsible for the creation of the universe. The establishment of the institution of marriage is thus believed to be simultaneous with the emergence of mankind on earth and the procedure of marriage is likened to the story of creation. Almost every human being, according to the Vedas, has the obligation to discharge certain debts. One of these is known as Pitri Rina or the Parental debt which is cleared by maintaining the continuity of generation. Thus reproduction is considered the critical aspect in marriage. As man has the obligation to propagate his species, a matrimonial affinity becomes essential.

The marriage caremony in itself is defined in six steps, In keeping with the principles of the Arya Samaj the caremony follows only the essential steps. and is thus short, simple and focused. The caremony avoids a number of the rituals which make for the usual and elaborate wedding that were characteristic of the times. As the Arya Samaj was a revolution against superstition, horoscopes were avoided and any day or time of mutual convenience is regarded as acceptable for the muhurtham. The first important step in the marriage is the arrival of the groom at the bride's house. Here the groom is given water to drink and to wash his feet and face. He is then given madhuparka or a mixture of honey and curd. At the time he chants a hymn which reads:

"Sweet are the breaths of winds.
Sweet is the flow of rivers.  
Let herbs be full of sweetness for us.
Night is sweet and so is the dawn. 
Sweet is earthly sand.
Let the  fatherly space be sweet.  
Let vegetable kingdom be sweet for us and sweet be the sun.
Let cows give us sweet milk."

Clothes are then exchanged with the words:

"Let all, present here know that our hearts have mingled together like waters.
Let breath, let God; let wisdom keep us united".

This done the homa is performed. This is believed to be an important chapter of Vedic teaching on man's duties towards family, society and nation.

The panigrahanam or handgrasping is believed to be of ultimate importance. This is considered as important an aspect of marriage as the saptapadi. Without this the marriage is believed to have no validity in the eyes of Hindu law.

The bride then places her foot on a stone slab as part of the Lajahoma and the bridegroom says"ascend this stone and be firm like a rock..."

The Saptapadi then follows after which the couple together see the sun or the pole star depending on the time of day that the wedding is conducted.

And thus the marriage is concluded, an inviolable sacred knot based on mutual affection.

The View of Panigrahanam

I, the bridegroom hold your hand into mine for prosperity of household life. May you attain old age with pleasure along with me as your husband. God, who is the master of all prosperity, the administrator of justice, the creator of the universe and all-subsisting; and the elightened persons here are giving you to me for the fulfillment of household life's attainments and obligations.

I, possessed of virtues and prosperity grasp your hand; full of inspiration of duty and procreation hold your hand unto mine, you are my wife in the letter and spirit of the dharma and I your husband accordingly.

O bride! that you whom the protector of the universe gave me, remain supported and nourished by me, O ye procreating lady! may you live hundred autumns delightfully with me as your husband.

O bride! the relation of husband and wife is based on in this world in conformity to the techings of God and enlightened persons. Just as the electricity is permeating all the objects so you attain nice dresses, ornaments and happiness from me for the sake of my pleasure. May the All-creating Supper-excellent God bless this my wife with offspring. Similarly, I will keep you well-dressed and well-ornamented.

O ye our relatives! Kindly be helpful in the well-being of my wife just as the electricity and fire, the sun and earth, atmosphere air, oxygen and hydrogen, good fortune, physician and true preacher, impartial ruler, cultured men, Supreme Being and the moon protect and enhance the lot of subjects, and this my wife with prosperity, offspring etc.

O bride! Just as I, foreseeing the progress of family through my mind, love your beauty and desire you, so you also be attracted towards me. I leave with good intention thoughts to conceal any thing from you, and I say, I would not also eat or use or do anything stealthily. I myself, even being unsturdy, would remove all the obstacles standing in the way of rightousness and you are also expected to act accordingly.