The Seven Steps: A Hindu Wedding Ritual Adaptation

I described a ritual called “ The Seven Steps” in an earlier entry. This was an adaptation of one of the many Hindu wedding rituals, which invoke blessings of happiness, harmony and growth.

As in western culture, a marriage ceremony in Hindu tradition is a rite which enables two individuals to begin their journey through life together. The ceremony blesses this journey and establishes the union of spirit and matter so that a future of serenity and stability is possible. “The Seven Steps” symbolizes the beginning of the journey, each step representing a vow of marriage.

This anonymous reading has sublimity and earthliness; it says it all:

“ We have taken the even steps. You have become mine forever.

Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united.

You are thought and I am sound.

May the nights be honey sweet for us; may the mornings be honey-sweet for us; may the earth be honey-sweet for us; may the heavens be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us; may the cows yield us honey-sweet milk!

As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled”.

Of course you don’t have to have an Indian ceremony to include this and you don’t have to perform the seven steps… just omit the first sentence!