Jain Marriage Ceremony

Author(s): Unknown
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 14

18. Akhand Saubhagyavati Bhava (whispered blessings for the bride) A pre-arranged number of female relatives from both sides of the family are invited to the mandap (stage) to give their blessings to the bride and groom. The female relatives whisper secrets into the bride's ear to help her keep herself and her husband happy throughout their life. The women place a red dot and some rice on both the bride and groom's foreheads. This symbolizes their wishes to the couple for a long, happy, prosperous, and peaceful life together.
19. Ashirwad (blessing by the priest and parents) The priest and family offer their final blessings to the newly married couple and shower them with rice and flowers.
20. Biddai (farewell to the Bride) Either following the dinner reception or on the next day, there is a touching and emotional farewell between the daughter and her parents and extended family as she leaves her life as a daughter and enters the role of wife to her husband.
Some Popular Mantras
Om bhoor bhuvah svah; tat savitur varaynyam; bhargo dayvasya dheemahi; dhiyo yonah prachoda-yat; Om.
(Rig Veda 3.62.10 and Yujur Veda 36.3)
Gurur Brahma gurur Vishnuh, gurur devo Maheshvarah; gurussakshat param Brahma, tasmai shri gurave namah.
(Guru Gita)
Akhanda-mandala-karam, uyaptam yenachara-charam; tat padam darshitam yena, tasmai shri gurave namah.
(Guru Gita)
Sarva-dharman paritya-jaya, maam ekam sharanam vraja. Aham tvaa sarva-paapebhyo, moksha-yisyaami maa suchah.
(BG 18.66)
Sarva mangala mangalye, shive sarva artha sadhike. Sharanye trayambake gauri, Narayani namostute.
(Durgasaptasati or Chandi 11.10)
Twameva mata cha pita twameva, Twameva bandhuscha skha twameva. Twameva vidya dravinam twameva, twameva sarvam mama deva-deva.