Walking seven steps together
(The groom holds the left hand of the bride in his right hand and takes seven steps in the south-east direction. The right foot first and then the left foot to be joined with the right, then chanting of the mantras and proceeding further. This is the way Saptapadi is performed. There should be a distance of 1.5 to 2 feet between two steps. A handful of
rice grains is kept at every step-making a small heap. The bride and groom are to put their feet on them.)
Priest and the groom :
O my dear, we have stared on the course of a householder’s life. Let us walk together.
O my beloved, walk one step with me for getting our livelihood. Please follow me.
Priest and the relations :
Dear ones, you have walked one step together. May you support each other in the journey of life.
Priest and the groom :
O my beloved, walk with me the second step for attaining strength. Please follow me.
Priest and the relations :
Dear ones, you have walked two steps together. May peace and harmony prevail in your life.
Priest and the groom :
O my dear, walk with me the third step for getting wealth and prosperity. Please follow me.
Priest and the relations :
Dear ones, you have walked three steps together. Your love may help both of you blossom in your life together.
Priest and the groom :
O my dear, for pleasure and happiness walk with me the fourth step. Please follow me.
Priest and the relations :
Dear ones, you have walked four steps together. The ties of your love have grown stronger. May the course of life become smoother for you because of your love.
Priest and the bridegroom :
O my beloved, walk with the fifth step for progeny, enough and long-living.
Priest and the relations :
Dear ones, you have walked five steps together. May your love grow stronger and mutually satisfying.
Priest and the groom :
My darling, walk with me the sixth step for the joys of all seasons.
Priest and the relations :
Dear ones, you have walked six steps together. May your lives be woven together in an excellent fabric.
Priest and the groom :
O my dearest, walk with me the seventh step for the ever-lasting friendship.
Priest and the relations :
O bride and bridegroom, you have walked seven steps together. Let your lives be one, one soul residing in two bodies. May God bless you.
The latter part of the sacrifice
Priest and the groom :
If there are any flaws in this sacrifice, may the fire called Swishtakrit forgive me. The fire that brings about all the sacrifices in the right way and gives fruits to everyone may accept my humble oblations.
This belongs to the fire called Swishtakrit, and not to me.
Priest : Offer the rest of the ghee, spoon by spoon, in the fire.
Priest and the groom :
I offer oblations to all the deities in the world. This belongs to them, not to me.
Priest : Hold the large bowl of water in hands and perambulate the fire anticlockwise. Keep the container – Praneetapatra – near the altar.
Priest and the groom :
O god of water, you are perfect. Remain perfect for me. (Make my deeds perfect.) You are supremely perfect. Please be supremely perfect for me. You are omnipotent. Be my life itself. You are eternal. Remain eternal for me.
Priest : Sprinkle the water from the Praneetapatra in all the directions and above, also on your own head, on the head of the bride. Take a little holy ash from the fire with the end of the spoon and apply it to your own forehead and that of your wife.