Saptapadi constitutes the chief element of the marriage. In the vedic culture, the bride and the groom are considered as loving friends as they perform the saptapadi ritual wherein the groom holds the bride's right hand and goes around the holy fire seven times.

 

The bride begins each round by touching her feet to a grinding stone each time. This signifies that her hope that their union may be as firm as the grinding stone. 

 

The vedic mantra (alongwith the meaning) for Saptapadi that the groom chants with each step are as follows:

 

Step 1: Ekam ishe vishnutva anvet

With the first step, may Vishu lead you to happiness

 

Step 2: Dve urje vishnutva anvet

With the second step, may Vishnu lead you to prosperity

 

Step 3: Trenni vrataya vishnutva anvet

With the third step, may Vishnu lead you to observance of duty

 

Step 4: Chatvaari mayo vishnutva anvet

With the fourth step, may Vishnu lead you to source of all bliss

 

Step 5: Pancha Pashubhyo vinutva anvet

With the fifth step, may Vishnu lead you to welfare of animals

 

Step 6: Shadraayasya Poshaya vishnutva anvet

With the sixth step, may Vishnu lead you to wealth

 

Step 7: Sapta Saptabhyo hotrebhyo vishnutva anvet

With the seventh step, may Vishnu lead you to observance of the seven-fold religious duties

 

The groom then recites a prayer, seeking the bride's friendship:

 

Sakha saptapada bhava

Sakhayau saptapada babhuva

Sakhyanthe gameyam

Sakyathe mayosham

Sakhyanme mayoshataha

 

With the seven steps, we have become friends,

Let me reach your friendship

Let me not be severed from your friendship

Let your friendship not severed from me