Indeed, Kanyadaanis Core Ritual of Hindu Marriage
Vanam JwalaNarasimha Rao
The HansIndia (14-04-2024)
{Notwithstandingthe Hindu Marriage Act, which says it is not necessary for solemnization of themarriage, the ritual ‘Kanyadaan’ practice of Hindu marriage denotes anessential feature, denoting ‘Giving Away’ of the daughter (bride) by herparents to the bridegroom, treating him as ‘Vishnu,’ and bride as ‘Lakshmi.’Bride’s father, ‘Kanya Data’ places her right hand into groom’s, known as ‘PaniGrahana,’ a ritual in presence of sacred fire, symbolizing the bride ‘ConcedingHer Heart’ to the groom}-Editor Synoptic Note.
Interestingly,a Single Bench Allahabad High Court on March 22, 2024, has held that ‘Kanyadaan’was not necessary for solemnization of Marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act,and only 'Saptapadi' is an Essential Ceremony. Yes, itis mentioned so, in the Hindu Marriage Act, under Ceremonies that, a Hindu Marriagemay be solemnized where the ceremonies include the ‘Saptapadi’ or taking of ‘SevenSteps’ by the Bridegroom and Bride jointly before the sacred fire. Marriagebecomes complete and binding when the ‘Seventh Step’ is taken.
Notwithstandingthe Act, the Ritual ‘Kanyadaan’ of Hindu Marriage Practice, alone denotes‘Giving Away’ the daughter (Bride) by her parents to the Bridegroom, treating himas ‘Vishnu,’ and Bride as ‘Lakshmi.’ Bride’s father, ‘Kanya Data’ places herRight Hand into Groom’s, known as ‘Pani Grahana,’ a ritual in presence of sacredfire, symbolizing the bride ‘Conceding Her Heart’ to the Groom. The Groompledges to treat Bride as an ‘Equal Partner’ and also ‘Take her Responsibility.’Marriage signifies spiritual and emotional union of two individuals and twofamilies depicting a ‘Way of Life,’
Even CelestialWeddings are performed consistent with similar customs and traditions. Forinstance, in Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam, Janaka, while giving away his daughterSita, as ‘Kanyadaan’ said to Rama that, ‘Take her in marriage and take her fromher father by holding her palm with your palm.’ Later Rama and Sita holdingtheir palms, performed circumambulations around the Ritual Fire, and aroundAltar of Fire, what is known as ‘Saptapadi.’
The HinduMarriage symbolizes ‘Conjugal Dharma’ an unwritten staunch relationship thatknows no boundaries, between Husband and Wife. At every stage of marriage, themantras explicitly reveal this. ‘Kama’ (Lust) one of the four ‘Purusharthas’namely, ‘Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha’ can be dedicated to Dharma as ‘Love’only through Marriage. Common Well Wishers of prospective Bride and Groomfamilies, as a self-imposed responsibility, normally initiate the ‘ArrangedMarriage’ process which is still prevalent in many families. Through them thetwo families come to know of each other better, that paves way to ‘In PrincipleAcceptance.’
‘Nischitartham’or ‘Nischaya Tambulam’ which now is called as ‘Engagement’ on an agreed day isthe next step. Exchange of rings, fixing (Muhurta) auspicious date and time ofmarriage, followed by formal writing of ‘Wedding Invitation Card’ on a whitepaper duly applying turmeric on four sides etc. are done on that day. Muhurtais fixed based on Bride and Groom’s Birth Stars and Horoscope. Printing anddistribution of wedding cards follows. Hindu Marriages are the ‘SocialGatherings’ where among others, prospective brides and grooms meet.
Ritual‘Snatakam,’ performed either in Bridegroom’s house or in a guest house arrangedby Bride’s side, prepares him to leave ‘Brahmacharya’ (Bachelor Life) for‘Grihastha Ashram’ (Marital Life). The ‘Guru’ (Teacher), here the Purohit guidesthe Bridegroom, that he shall not ‘Err in the Matter of Truth, Righteousness, andCleverness.’ Bride and Groom will be Getting Ready with traditional head baths(Mangala Snana) in their respective places. Ritual ‘Ankurarpan’ where ninevarieties of seeds (Nava Dhanya) are poured in a mud plate, filled with water,for germination as sprouts takes place.
On the dayof marriage, Bride considered as combined form of ‘Laxmi, Parvati, Saraswati’ performs‘Gouri Pooja’ and Groom considered as ‘Divine form of the Trinity’ performs‘Vara Pooja’ at their respective places. Meanwhile, Bride’s Father (Kanya Data)accompanied by relatives proceed to Groom’s place and as part of Vara Pooja, weddingInvitations are ceremonially exchanged. Bride’s father formally makes a requestto Groom’s relatives to come to marriage. As Groom’s side proceed to marriagevenue, Bride continues to perform her Gouri Pooja.
‘KanyaData’ welcomes Bridegroom, at the entrance of venue, and leads him on to the‘Kalyan Mandap’ (Marriage Platform). Preceding Marriage Event, Kanya Data performs‘Pada Prakshalana’ (Washing Groom’s Feet) to the Bridegroom (Treating as Lord Narayana).Bride’s maternal uncle ‘Hosts’ Bridegroom with Honey (Madhu Parkam). Groomwears the new cloths presented to him during ‘Madhu Parka’ and waits for Bride’sarrival.
In the interim,Kanya Data with Groom’s father arrive at ‘Gowri Pooja’ being performed byBride. ‘Gotra and Pravara’ of both sides are pronounced here, and dependingupon the capability of Purohit, it evinces interest. Gotra is the Clan andPravara denotes genesis and three generations family tree. Then Groom’s fathermakes a request to Kanya Data to give his daughter for marriage with his son. AfterKanya Data consents, the next step commences. An interesting rather amusingphase of marriage is maternal uncles of the Bride carrying her holding a‘Coconut Bonda’ in her hands, ceremonially in a ‘Bamboo Basket’ up to thewedding platform, amidst cheers and claps.
Then, despitebeing elder to Groom, Kanya Data washes Groom’s feet, when Purohit chants Hymns.This is, ‘The Essential Part’ of Kanyadaan. Bride and Groom are literallyconsidered to be alike to ‘Laxmi and Narayana’ respectively and the Marriage isperformed as ‘Laxmi Narayana Kalyanam.’ Bride still in the Basket, Purohit delivers‘Maha Sankalpa’ and proceeds to the next step. Maha Sankalpa comprises Genesisof Creation, Infinite Capabilities of Creator, Cosmic Form, Celestial Position,Seven Islands, Nine Varshas, Nine Continents, Ten Forests, Island of Jambu,Bharata Varsha, Bharata Khanda, and finally venue of Kanyadaan withgeographical boundaries.
After this‘Kanyadaan’ at the auspicious Muhurta as fixed already, Purohit recites as ‘KanyamKanaka Sampannam Kanakabharanairyutam! Daswami Vishnave Tubhyam Brahma LokaJagishiya.’ Kanya Data thus offers his daughter to Groom, to attain ‘BrahmaLoka.’ Kanya Data pours water in the hands of Groom and says that, despite hermarriage with him, ‘She shall be my Daughter.’ Kanya Data administers Oath withGroom as, ‘Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha, Esha Nathi Charitavya.’ Bride respondsas ‘Nathi Cha Rami’ thrice. Exactly on dot at the auspicious Muhurta, Purohitmakes both Bride and Groom, to apply paste made of ‘Cumin stick-jaggery’ oneach other’s head.
‘Mangalya Dharana’ follows next. Indian andHindu Tradition is, from the time of marriage, women wear round the neck, the ‘MangalSutra’ often referred as ‘Shata Manas’ and made of Gold, one of the two byBride’s side and the other by Groom’s side, and which is knotted by the Groom.When musical instruments are played and when Pujari recites ‘MangalyamTantunanena Mamajivana Hetuna! Kanthe Midnami Subhage Tvam Jiva Sharadam Shatam’the Bride Groom ties the Sutra around the neck of Bride with three knots, representingThree Worlds, Trinity, and Sattva-Raja-Tamo qualities. Veda Pundits bless thecouple as, ‘Shatamanam Bhavathi, Shatayu: Purusha.’
After theMangalya Dharana, the most uproarious, hilarious, and funny event of Marriage, pouringof ‘Talambralu’ prepared with Rice mixed in Cumin Powder Liquid, Ghee, Cow Milketc. giving a yellow look, by bride and groom on each other head, in competitionfollows. Friends and Relatives enjoy a lot and encourage both taking sides. Thisis followed with tying one end of bride’s saree with bride groom’s one attire(Uttariyam) end, suggesting that henceforth they are together in every activityand she as the ‘Owner of the House’ shall hold all responsibilities.
Next eventis ‘Sthalipakam’ near a Sacred Ritual Fire known as ‘Homam.’ Here the MostImportant part of Hindu Marriage ‘Saptapadi’ or solemnization of Marriage underthe Hindu Marriage Act, takes place, where, Fire God (Agnihotra) as a witness,the Bride and Bridegroom take sevensteps, starting with the right foot of the bride, and circumambulations around the Ritual Fireand around Altar of Fire. This signals the ultimate step into ‘GrihasthaAshram’ and with this the bride’s Gotra, Pravara, Surname changes to that ofBride Groom. The other rituals are:‘Nagavalli, Sadashyam, and finally Appagintalu (Physically passing on the Brideto Groom’s family elders).’
Every stepof Hindu Marriage is an ‘Essential Implicit Feature’ of ‘Kanyadaan.’
