A couple is considered “married” only when the bride and the groom take the seven wedding vows to promise to be with each other for eternity around the holy pyre (Agni) as the witness.
For the seven vows to take place, the holy fire is lit using wood, ghee, and cow manure in the sacred fireplace (Havan Kund).
According to Hindu mythology, fire is one of the five natural elements that make the human body which is why it is considered important. It is also believed that fire is capable of tying the couple in an eternal bond of marriage because fire is the one thing that separates them from each other. In the Hindu religion, the body of a person is burnt after death.
Every religion and culture has its own set of vows but the final aim is to keep their relation unbreakable.
Let’s dive deeper into these 7 vows:
The First Vow
In the first vow, the groom promises to take care of his bride, their children and the family’s well being and in return, the bride undertakes the responsibility of looking after the household management.
The Second Vow
In the second vow, the groom vows that he will be loyal and faithful to his to-be wife and will stand by her through all the ups and downs. He will support her by providing mental, physical and financial stability and security to her and the family. The bride vows that she will share the responsibility by standing with him as his strength through all his agonies and ecstasies.
The Third Vow
In the third vow, the groom promises to work hard towards growing wealth and prosperity and to educate their children. The bride promises to prioritize her groom above every other man in her life. She vows to unconditionally love her groom for the rest of her life.
The Fourth Vow
In the fourth vow, the groom promises to bring completeness and sacredness to their relationship. He vows to respect both the families equally and include his bride’s opinion in all his life decisions. In return, the bride promises to stand by her groom through the family commitments and will respect all the decisions that he makes for her and the family. She vows to protect her groom and will even sacrifice her life for him if she has to.
The Fifth Vow
The fifth round around the holy fire is to share happiness and sorrows. The groom promises to be her best friend and understands her in every part of his life. The bride promises to love and cherish her groom as long as she lives. She considers his happiness and sorrows as her own.
The Sixth Vow
The sixth vow around the holy fire is called two bodies, one soul. The groom and bride promise each other to fill each other’s life with happiness and peace. They pray to be blessed with healthy children and promise to nurture their children with great love and care.
The Seventh Vow
The last vow around the holy fire, the seventh round is when they have become husband and wife. After this vow, their souls are united with a divine thread of love and togetherness till eternity. They promise to abide by the vows that they have taken with pure and true intentions.
