Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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The above ceremony has following significance:
The bridegroom and the bride are two different persons who are so far considered not intimately connected.
Their right hands are clasped together in shake-hand with thread to them and the knot between their garments signifies that they are to remain united throughout their lives and to be intimate with each other.
The ceremony is performed in the presence of a witness from each side and of parents/guardians and relatives of the bridegroom and the bride, showing that they have their blessings on the new couple.
E. The marriage contract
The two chairs are now placed side by side within the encirclement of the cotton threads. Both the bride and groom now sit facing the two priests who stand before them. The main officiating priest who stands before the couple, chants (in prayer), "May the Creator, the Omniscient Lord, grant upon thee, progeny of children, and grandchildren, plenty of means to provide yourselves with heart ravishing friendship, bodily strength, long life and an existence of a hundred and fifty years..."
Before the actual benediction is given, the main officiating priest asks the witnesses of the respective couple as to whether they, the couple, have agreed to join hands in matrimony. Upon their consent, the bride and groom are asked thrice to make certain that they have agreed to marry of their own free will and choice.
Then follows the recital, by both the officiating priests, of the Paevandnameh or Ashirwad (i.e. benediction), which is an address made up of admonitions, benedictions and prayers.
The marriage ritual ends with a final short benediction known as the Doa Tan-Dorosti in which the priests ask for happiness, virtue, wealth, good health and a long wedded life to be bestowed upon the couple.
Upon completion of the formal wedding ceremony, the bride and groom exchange rings.
Before the marriage, the bride and groom were two people living their own separate individual lives. After the marriage, they become united through the sacred nuptial bond and are on the verge of beginning a new life together.
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