two halves of the divine body

In Marriage, man and woman represent the two halves of the divine body. There is no question of superiority or inferiority between them. The duties include

1. Maintaining domestic peace,
2. Adjustment of social relations and
3. Attainment of spiritual perfection

Relativity Theory

Life is a relativity theory. A man lived a peaceful, contented life with his wife and children. His parents-in-law came to stay with him. After a few days time, this person was annoyed with the number of persons in the small dwelling. He sought the advice of a sage, complaining that he had lost his peace because his household had grown larger. The sage advised the man to bring in 6 hens into his dwelling for a month and then seek further advice. When the man visited the sage a month later, the wise man asked him, ‘So how are things now?’ to which the man complained that life had gone worse, because of the stink from the hens. The sage advised the man to buy a pair of oxen and two goats, and have them as pets in his dwelling, and return to him after a month for further advice. The man had no other option but to comply. He returned to the sage after a month and cried, ‘O Holy one! Life has become awful. The place is too crowded and stinks of garbage always.’ The sage advised him to shift the pets elsewhere and return to update him after a month. The man returned to thank the sage for restoring peace into his life. To which the sage smiled and said, ‘Son! If you recollect, you have as many occupants as you had when you came to me. It is your perspective that has changed, because of your experiences.’

That is life. It is when you wearily find your way through a hot summer day, that you understand the bliss that shade is.You count the blessings of life, only when you are thrust deep into problems. Till you encounter sorrow, you never understand the joys that God has blessed you with.

7 Blessings Given on Wedding

An important aspect of the Marriage ceremony is to light a sacred fire, created from 'ghee' (clarified butter) and woolen wicks, to evoke the God, Agni (Fire God), to bear witness to the ceremony.The highlight is 'Saptapadi', also called the 'Seven Steps'.
Here, traditionally the bride’s sari is tied to the groom’s kurta, or a sari shawl might be draped from his shoulder to her sari. He leads, her pinky linked with his pinky, in seven steps around the fire, as the priest chants the seven blessings or vows for a strong union.

1. May this couple be blessed with an abundance of resources and comforts, and be helpful to one another in all ways.
2. May this couple be strong and complement one another.
3. May this couple be blessed with prosperity and riches on all levels.
4. May this couple be eternally happy.
5. May this couple be blessed with a happy family life.
6. May this couple live in perfect harmony… true to their personal values and their joint promises.
7. May this couple always be the best of friends.

By walking around the fire they are agreeing to these. With each step, they throw small bits of puffed rice into the fire, representing prosperity in their new life together. This is considered the most important part of the ceremony, it seals the bond forever.
Bride and groom come to the altar as God and Goddess, in human form. In many parts of India the bride is considered Lakshmi, Goddess of Fortune, and groom is her consort Vishnu, the Great Preserver.