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Arya Samaj
Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
Principles Of Arya Samaj
Wedding Rituals
Information
Arya Samaj was founded in Mumbai, India,on
10th April 1875,by a Sanyasi(renouncer) named Maharishi Swami Dayananda Saraswati,
It ia an Organisation of noble people(Aryas), who follow the Veda (the Word of God
passed on to the mankind
in the begining).
The motto of the Arya Samaj taken from the Vedas is as follows-
*Make all men Aarya
(noble and cultured).
*Let noble
thoughts come from all quarters.
Maharshi
Swami Dayananda Saraswati denied all non-Vedic beliefs so Arya Samaj condemns
animal sacrifices, idolatry,
ancestor worship, priestcraft, the caste system,inequality of women, the sati system for
widows, untouchability and child marriages.
It aims to be an
universal organisation based on the authority of the Vedas.The Arya
Samaj has set up schools and missionary organisations all over the world.
The Arya Samaj, was formed, not as a
new religion, but as a coming together of noble minded people who
believed in Vaidik Satya Sanatana Dharma which is called
"Hinduism".Maharishi Swami Dayanand brought before the people, the light of Vedic Wisdom which
has been hidden during the centuries of India's thraldom."
The Principles of the Arya Samaj
*God is the primary cause of all Spiritual and Physical
Sciences.
*God is formless, eternal, holy, and Creator of the
Universe.
*The Vedas are the scriptures of true knowledge.So all Aryas
must read , hear and recite them
to others.
*One should always be prepared to accept truth and reject untruth.
*All actions should be performed with the due consideration of the right and
wrong.
*To improve the physical,spiritual and social well-being of all
mankind
is the main objective of the Arya
Samaj,
*All people should be treated with love, fairness and due regard for
their merit.
*One should always promote knowledge and dispel ignorance.
*One should also think of the welfare of others.
The Arya Samaj wedding rituals are few, but rich
in significance, The vedic mantra chanted during the process are
explained to the couple so that the significance is not lost on
them. The Arya Samaj wedding is open for all religions to have an
Arya Samaj wedding.
The pre and post-wedding ceremonies are performed
as per the cultural background of the couple.The wedding is
witnessed by the fire god and marks the transition of the couple
from Brahmacharya ashram (befor e marriage) to Grihastashram (the
married stage)
Pre-Wedding Rituals
Sangeet Party-
This is a music session that is celebrated by the bride, few days
prior to the wedding,specially with bride's girl friends and female
relatives. Wedding songs and dances are performed during the sangeet
party.
Mehndi-
The Mehndi ceremony is also women's celebration at the bride's
home,on the previous evening of the wedding day.Paste of turmeric
and sandalwood powder is applied to the Bride,as a symbol of
purification.Mehndi,in different designs is applied on the hands of
the bride and all the present ladies.It is celebrated with
refreshments.
Brahmbhoj-
In the morning of wedding day,16 Brahmins are given food which is
served by the family members.
Wedding Rituals
The wedding ceremony is conducted in an Arya Samaj hall.The bride
garlands the groom first and washes his feet, hands and face.Then
the bride applies a mixture of curd, ghee and honey into the cupped
palms of the groom.The groom scatters the mixture in all directions
and consumes the remains,which is an ayurvedic medicine for
digestion.
Thread Ceremony
This is performed by wearing a sacred thread by worshipping the
fire(yagnya) and Gayatri Mantras are chanted.
Kanya Daan
The parents of the bride hand over their daughter her new family,
the mantras from the Vedas are recited by the priests. They seek the
blessings of those present so that the married life is successful.
Pratigya Mantra
The groom and bride hold the hands and take their wedding vows. The
couple walk around the fire at the end of this ceremony.
Shilarohan
The bride's brother places her foot on a stone, while the groom
recites mantras.By doing this the brother expresses the wish
that marriage be as firm and steady as the rock on which he has
placed his sister's foot.He offers his sister puffed rice to assure
that she has been brought up by her parents like the rice husk and
must now be replanted in another home to blossom and mature.
Parikrama
The couple go around the sacred fire four times.The bride prays for
the healthy, happy marital relationship. The groom makes a promise
to be reverential and respectful towards all women.
Kesh Mochan
The groom groom leaves the bride's hair cascade down freely by
reciting a mantra assuring her of never doing anything to hurt her
and leave her away from him.
Saptapadi
The edge of bride's saree and the groom's shawl are tied together.
The saptapadikriya of taking seven steps by the couple signify their
seven needs ie nourishment, strength,wealth obtained through honest
means, good health, progeny, good luck and a loving
relationship.Later on the elders of the family sprinkle water on the
couple as an advise to them to be calm and good-tempered at all
times.
Suryadarshan:
The couple worship the sun.
Hriday Sparsh
The couple touch each other's hearts and promise to be
tender-hearted and gentle with each other.
Sindoor Daan
The groom fills the parting of the bride's hair with sindoor or
vermilion.
Dhruv Darshan
The newly-weds view the Dhruv Star. The Pole Star is important as it
symbolises constancy - a virtue that's important in every marriage.
They also view two stars of the Great Bear constellation - Arundhati
and Vasisth. These stars, never viewed separately, symbolise
togetherness.
POST-WEDDING RITUALS
Reception:
The reception is usually held at a banquet hall or in the wedding
hall itself. It is an occasion for blessing the couple and sharing a
meal with them.
Bidai
The parents of the bride sees of their daughter with the
blessings of her happy married life and logevity,properity of her
husband.
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