When we started thinking about this wedding, at the outset, we all wanted a spiritual ceremony. Huges follows Swami Praznapada as his spiritual Guru. Both Henry and Aakriti supported the idea. In addition they wanted the ceremony to be meaningful and succinct. The curious quetion then was to tailor a befitting ceremony that truly represented this beautiful cross cultural union.
The obvious rationale was to look at the Vaidik scriptures - because being among the oldest written documents, they are beyond any religion, race or color. They are by default spritual - just like this beautiful unification of two cultures.
When I looked up, I found in Rig Veda, the oldest of four Vedas, there is a complete chapter dedicated to the ritual of wedding - Paani grahna as we call it in Sanskrit. It describes a wedding through an example. The Paanigrahana ceremony of the Moon Soma with Sun's daughter Surya - two mythical characters. The wedding procession that you saw earlier this afternoon, bears it's roots in this chapter of Rig Veda. When Soma went to seek Surya's hand in marriage, his friends and family celebrated the occasion, dancing around their chariot. It is almost seven thousand years old tradition - give or take!
So, I have chosen few verses from this primordial wedding. A wedding registered in Rigveda itself. The first fully documented wedding. And I have taken the liberty to add few from my own wedding, back in the day with Anjali - my wife. Probably thanks to those mantras me and Anjali are bleassed with Aakriti.
The way we are going to do it is, I will request Huges - Henry's dad, and host of this ceremony, to provide a quick synopsis for the French audience, and then I will recite the verses with English translation. We will also request the bride and the groom to take a circle of the candles with each verse. The circle around the fire has a deeper meaning .. but for now its a signature. Its a signature that both the bride and the groom fully understand , appreciate and approve the recital. After seven circles of auspecious bonds, the bride and the groom will have their vows, in their own words, to transition into the role of a "husband" and a "wife"! Thereafter we will have Huges talk about the five secrets of a successsful modern matrimony based on Vaidik principles taught to him by Swami Paznapada.
Invocation - First verse
Aakriti and Henry, we all have come together here for your transition into the role of husband and wife. This first verse is a wish from all of us present here for this beautiful union at this beautiful location.
It says
Ihemavindra Samnudam Chakravakev Dampati;
Prajyouno Swastikou Vismayurvya Ashnutaam.
O Lord, may you bring this couple together, like a pair of Charavaka birds. Chakravaka is a duck. In India we call it a Brahmini duck. Which means a sacred duck.
So Hey lord, please bring this couple together like a pair of Chakravaka ducks. Let them enjoy the marital bliss and live a long life along with their progeny. Their kids , and of course their pets :-)
What is Paanigrahana. - second verse
Talking about traditions, wedding - or Paanigrahna , as we call it Sanskrit, is one of the oldest and among the most sacred tradition ... in almost all the culture. Since it is a universal tradition, it is by definition, spiritual. Spirituality is something that goes beyond, the man made differences. Something omnipresent across all the cultures. Thus weddings are, by definition, spiritual events. The word Paani grahna aptly captures this essence. It simply means two partners, accepting each other's hand. Two partners holding each other's hand, irrespective of their orientations or affiliations - boneded with spiritual love.
So this next verse is bride's expression of पानिगरहणा. She says ..
Dhairham Prithvitvam;
Raitoham, raitobritvam;
Manohamsmi Vaaktvam;
Saamasmi Rikarvam;
Sa Mam, Anuvrata bhav.
It is beautiful Sanskrit poetry and the meaning is equally powerful. It means
I am the sky, you are the earth;
I radiate energy and you hold it to manifest things in this physical world;
I am the thought (Mana) and you are the words.
I am Saama the music, and you are Rika the song
I and you follow each other.
So Aakriti, if you understood the meaning of Paani Granhna, then you may lead Henry for a circle around the fire.
Third verse
The third verse is bride's expression of Trust in this union.
The idea of spiritual love, Paanigrahna is even more relevent for this wedding because this wedding not only goes beyond the man made differences, it brings two of the most ancient cultures together bridging West and the East. When I started thinking about the differences, I found there are more similarities between Frence and Indian cultures than what appears on the surface. India is a culture of "color" - as you can see in the colors of our clothes. France is a culture of "Style". French poise compliments Indian vibrance. But more importantly both the cultures evoke a unique sense of spirituality. And they deem families are the cradles to these beautiful spiritual emotions. Emotions of love, care, respect and sacrifice .. and trust. They also believe that weddings are the gateways to the families.
This verse expresses the Trust that underpins a family. Written by Maharishi Vasishtha , it is one of my favorite.
The bride says
Tat Chakshuh Devhitam, Shukram Uccharta;
Pashyema Shardah Shatam, Jeevema Shardah Shatam.
Your foresight , your auspecious vision of this union is bright and rising.
May we see it together for hundred years. May we live together for hundred years.
So Aakriti, this trust also brings hope. It is not about the past - it is about what you two can be in next ten years. What you can accomplish together in next hundred years.. You may take Henry around for a circle of fire with this hopefulness and trust.
Fourth Verse
Having moved with bride's expression of Trust, the groom now makes worldly commitments. In the fourth verse he says
Dharmecha Arthecha Kaamecha, Imam Naticharami;
Dharmecha Arthecha Kaamecha, Imum Naticharami.
In my Duties (Dharmecha), In my finacial responsibilities (Arthecha) and in my physical needs (Kaamecha), I will always consult you. I will actively seek and act based on your consensus.
So Henry, you now know who to talk to before you buy the next video game ! or look to invest another fortune in a new Guitar! If you are down with these commits , you may lead Aakroti for a circle of fire.
Fifth verse
And also moved with bride's expression of spiritual love, the groom thanks the Gods for this good fortune. He thanks the deities for bringing the bride to his life. He says ..
Gribhnami te Soubhagstvay, Hastam Maya Patya Jardishtirysthasa;
Bhago Aryama Savita Purandhir Mayama Tva Durgahptyay Devah.
I thank the deities of enjoyment (Bhaga) , deity of wisdom (Aryama) and the deity of the creative force (Savitaru) for bringing you in my life. Not only these deities , I thank the entire universe Purandhir a name of Bramha , for the good fortune of being together till we get very very old - or till death do us apart.
Sixth verse
The sixth verse is the celebration of companionship. They wish not to lose this friendship even if they lose everything else.
Sakha Saptpada Bhav;
Sakhayou Saptpada Babhoove;
Sakhyam Te Gameyam
Sakyat te Mayosham
Sakhyanme Mayoshthah
Oh friend we are taking seven steps together.
Having gotten the taste of your company, I am enchanted with the magic of your companionship.
It's you who I always talk about. Your conversations are always on my lips.
Please never let me stay away from your company.