This is the most important rite of the entire ceremony. Here
the bride and the bridegroom take seven steps together around teh nuptial fire (Agni) and
make the following seven promises to each other :As per the Vedic
rituals, the bridegroom sings the following :
With God as our guide, let us take :
the first step to nourish each other
the second step to grow together in strength
the third step to preserve our wealth
the fourth step to share our joys and sorrows
the fifth step to care for our children
the sixth step to be together forever
the seventh step to remain lifelong friends,
the perfect halves to make a perfect whole.
After the seventh step he makes her remain where she is and says:
"With seven steps we become friends. Let me reach
your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be
severed from me."
The Spatapadi ceremony ceremony concludes with a prayer that the union is
indissoluble. At the end of this ceremony, the bridegroom and bride become husband
and wife.
In some communities such as Gujarati, instead of seven, only four steps,
signifying Artha, Dharma, Kama and Moksha are taken.
