Vivah Samskar (Hindu marriage ceremony)
What is Vivah Samskar?
Vivah Samskar (विवाह संस्कार) is one of the most sacred of the sixteen Hindu samskaras (Shodasha Samskaras) and marks the formal union of two souls — the bride and groom — in a bond of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. It is not just a social contract but a spiritual, emotional, and karmic journey that a couple embarks upon together.
It is a lifelong commitment, where both partners take sacred vows (saptapadi) in the presence of Agni (fire), deities, and elders to uphold duty, fidelity, mutual respect, and family values.
Why is Vivah Samskar Performed?
• To sanctify the relationship and bind it in the eyes of Dharma and society.
• To invoke the blessings of divine forces, especially Agni Dev (Fire God) and Vivaha Devatas, for a harmonious married life.
• To provide a spiritual foundation for grihastha ashram (the householder stage of life), enabling the couple to perform dharmic duties together.
• To ensure that the marriage is not just physical or emotional but also sacramental and karmic in nature.
• To uphold gotra, lineage, and family tradition through the sacred union.
Significance of Vivah Samskar
• Saptapadi (Seven Steps) taken during the ceremony symbolize mutual commitment for shared goals: nourishment, strength, prosperity, wisdom, progeny, spiritual growth, and lifelong companionship.
• The Mangalsutra, Sindoor, and Agni Pradakshina are not mere rituals, but profound expressions of unity, purity, and protection.
• It marks the beginning of the Grihastha Ashram, where the couple together pursue Dharma, perform yajnas, serve elders, raise righteous children, and contribute to society.
• It strengthens the concept of family, community, and cultural continuity within Sanatan Dharma.
• Vivah Samskar also creates a divine bond that transcends this life, continuing across lifetimes as per Vedic belief.