Seven Steps (Hindu tradition)
After the couples has taken seven steps around the fire at their ceremony, their bond is sealed, and the following is recited in a ritual, Saptha Padhi. It also makes a beautiful reading on its own.
We have taken the seven steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound.
May the nights be honey-sweet for us; may the mornings be honey-sweet for us; my the earth be honey-sweet for us; may the heavens be honey-sweet for us.
May the plants be honey-sweet for us; may the sun be all honey for us; may the cows yield us honey-sweet milk!
As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled.
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