For Shunori and Zach, Dec 2019 Text selection and translation by Shunori Ramanathan
A selection of some beautiful Sanskrit mantras to honour your union
1. When wedding fire is lit
śubhaṃ karoti kalyānaṃ ārogyaṃ dhanasaṃpadā
śatrubuddhivināśāya dīpajyotirnamo'stute
Salutations and salutations,
To the holy flame of the lamp,
Which bestows on this couple all that is good,
Health as well as wealth,
And destroys all their enemies.
2. oṃ asato mā sadgamaya
tamaso mā jyotirgamaya
mṛtyormā amṛtaṃ gamaya
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
Lead me from the unreal to the real
From the darkness to the light
From death to immortality
Let there be peace, peace, peace
3. For the four circles that the couple does around the circle, representing the principles of Sanātana Dharma (Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha)
adrohaḥ sarvabhūteṣu karmaṇā manasā girā
anugrahaśca dānaṃ ca satāṃ dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ
The eternal Dharma of the good consists of not harming any creature by action, thought, or speech, and of kindness and giving (Dharma)
vidyā dadāti vinayaṃ vinayādyāti pātratām
pātratvāddhanamāpnoti dhanāddharmaṃ tataḥ sukham
Knowledge brings humility; from humility comes worthiness; with worthiness one attains wealth; with wealth one is able to perform his duties in a better way; and in performing his duties one attains happiness (Artha)
gate śoko na kartavyo bhaviṣyaṃ naiva cintayet
vartamānena kālena vartayanti vicakṣaṇāḥ
The past is not worth mourning. Don't worry for the future. The wise advise to live only in the present (Kāma)
nirapekṣo nirvikāro nirbharaḥ śītalāśayaḥ
agādhabuddhirakṣubdho bhava cinmātravāsanaḥ
You are unconditioned and changeless, formless and immovable, unfathomable awareness and unperturbable, so hold on to nothing but consciousness. (Moksha)
4. This is followed by a common tradition between Jewish custom and Hindu/Jain custom called Hakafot (7 circles) / Saptapadi
For each step, there is a short Sanskrit sloka to be recited
iṣā ekapadī bhava iti prathamam
ūrje dvipadī bhava iti dvitīyam
vratāya tripadī bhava iti tṛtīyam
māyo bhavāya catuśpadī bhava iti caturtham
paśubhyā paṃcapadī bhava iti paṃcamam
rāyaspoṣāya ṣaṭpadī bhava iti ṣaṣṭam
hotrebhyaḥ saptapadī bhava iti saptamam
With this first step, we provide for and support each other
With this second step, we will be resilient and strong in body, mind and spirit
With this third step, we will share all wordly possessions
With this fourth step, we will live in harmony offering constant love to one another
With this fifth step, we will have a family and nurture them together
With the sixth step, we will enjoy the fruits of all seasons
With this seventh step, we will always remain friends and cherish each other
sakhā saptapadī bhava
sakhyaṃte gameyam
sakhyaṃte māyośaḥ
sakhyaṃte māyoṣṭaḥ
With these seven steps, may you become my friend.
May I deserve your friendship.
May my friendship make me one with you.
May your friendship make you one with me.
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