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10. Kanya Daan (giving away of the bride)
The bride's parents perform the ritual of giving their daughter to the care of the groom through a symbolic gesture of holy water flowing from their hands through the bride's hands and into the groom's hands. The bride's parents ask the groom to treat their daughter as a loving and equal partner and formally give their daughter in marriage to the groom. The groom promises to love and respect the bride throughout their life. The bride's parents place the varmala (hand-woven cord) around the couple, uniting them and protecting them from all evil influences. The priest opens the blessed invitation and scroll and reads the contents:
"Today, on the 20th day of October, 2001, xxxx (bride name), daughter of xxxx and xxxx (bride's parent name), of xxxx (town name), xxxx (state name); and xxxx (groom's name), son of xxxx and xxxx xxxx (groom's parent names), of xxxx (town name), xxxx (state name) are joining in holy matrimony. May xxxx (bride name) and xxxx (groom name) be granted peace, contentment, prosperity, and wisdom throughout their lives together. Om Arhum"
11. Chheda Bandhan (Tying of the knot)
The bride's sister ties one end of the groom's scarf to one corner of the bride's sari signifying eternal togetherness. The white cloth is a symbol of purity and unity. The threads of the white cloth are believed to bind the couple as eternal partners. While a single thread of raw cotton is easily torn, interwoven strands of cotton form a strong bond. Similarly, the abilities and virtues of the bride and groom are much stronger when combined than separated.
અસ્મિન્ જન્મયે બંધોોર્વે
કામે ધર્મે વા ગૃહસ્થત્વ ભાજિ ।
યોગો જાતઃ પંચ દેવાગ્નિ સાક્ષી જાયા પત્થોરંચલ ગ્રંથિ બંધાતા asmin janmayeṣa bandhoddhyorvē kāmē dharmē vā grhasthatva bhaji. yogo jätaḥ pañcha dēvāgni sāksi
jāyā patуorañchala granthi bandhät.
12. Hasta Melap (joining of the hands)
This ceremony is the union of the two palms. Holding each other's right hand, the bride and groom vow to walk hand in hand throughout their life. This signifies that bride and groom are united as one and will live as one in body, mind, and spirit. This is considered the most important part of the wedding ceremony. The couple is reminded to remember the divine, to look upon others with sympathy, love, and compassion, to be strong and to show good will and affection towards others.
હારિત પંકમવલિપ્સ સુવાસિનીભિા
દત્ત દ્રો જનકયોઃ ખલુ તૌ ગૃહીત્યા ॥
દક્ષિકર નિજસુતાં ભવમગ્રપાણિમા
લિમ્પેદ્ વરસ્ય ચ કરદ્રય યોજનાર્થ ॥
તદેવ લગ્ન સુદિનં તદેવ, તારા બલંચન્દ્ર બલં દતેવ,
