The Seven Vows When it comes to Indian marriages, words like big, fat, extravagant, pomp and show

come to our mind at once. However, irrespective of the st le and si!e of the wedding, one thing that remains common in all Hindu marriages is the "seven vows" signified b the sacred "saat pheras" around fire or "#gni", which is one of the most imperative rituals of Indian weddings. With each "phera" the couple makes a vow, a commitment with strong m thological roots, which is to be lived forever and more, its onl then that a couple is accepted as husband and wife for the next man lives to come. These seven vows are supposed to serve as an anchor to keep the couple going through all the ups and downs of life together, as husband and wife tied to each other in a sacred relationship. $irst vow% The couple appeals to the almight to shower blessings in the form of pure and nourishing food with a respectful and noble life. The groom pledges to provide welfare and happiness to his wife and children, whereas the bride swears to shoulder all responsibilities for the welfare of the groom"s entire famil . Second vow% The groom re&uests the bride to be his strength so that he can provide securit and protect the famil with courage. The bride agrees to abide b , while demanding eternal love and undivided attention. Third vow% The couple pleads for wisdom, wealth, and prosperit in order to live a content and satisfied life. The pledge to remain spirituall committed and the bride assures the groom that b the virtue of true love and devotion she will remain a chaste wife. $ourth vow% The groom thanks his would'be wife for bringing auspiciousness, happiness, and sacredness in his life. In return, the bride takes an oath to serve and please her husband in ever wa possible. Together, the also pledge to take care and respect their elders in the famil . $ifth vow% The importance of the fifth vow is to pra for the welfare of all the living things in this (niverse and begetting a noble breed. The couple also pra s to almight to bless each other"s friends and famil with happiness and well'being. Sixth vow% vow% In the sixth vow, )od is invoked to bless the couple for bountiful seasons and long lived togetherness. The groom wishes that his wife would glut his life with *o and peace+ while the bride provides assurance that she would participate with her husband in all his noble and divine acts. Seventh vow% This is the last vow adding completion to the ceremon . Here the couple pleads for the long lasting relationship, enriched with understanding and lo alt . The take an oath to nourish their relationship with love and honest and be together with each other forever not onl in this life, but also in the lives to come. ,ven though different religions and cultures have their own uni&ue set of vows and different wa s to perform them, the basic meaning of all remains the same "commitment", a vow of being spirituall united as one. It is a wa to assure our partner that he-she is worth of our love and ou are willing to submit, "till death do ou part".