Kanyadaan (“Giving away” of the bride; public acceptance)1
For the Kanyadaan, The Gotra2 of the bride should be known.
Kanyadaan uses pre-prepared dough as follows:3,4
Steps to follow:
The Bride’s father extends his palms (right palm on top of left palm),
The Bride’s mother rests her palms lightly atop her husband’s hands,
The bride then places her hands on her Mother’s hands.
The dough is placed into the bride’s palm.
The Bride’s brother takes up his position at the opposite end and, with the following mantra, pours water over the dough.
While the water is poured, the mantra is recited by the Parents of the Bride:
Note: Pronounce the gotra of the bride in place of the word “amuk” in the phrase Amuk-gotra.
and, pronounce the name of the bride in place of the word “amuk” in the phrase “amuk-naamneem”
ओममुकगोत्रोत्पन्नामिमामुकनाम्नीम्
अलंकृतां कन्यां प्रतिगृह्णातु भवान्॥
Om amuk gotra utpan-naam-imaam
Amuk naamneem-alang-kritaam kanyaam
Prati-griha-naatu-bhavaan
Our daughter was born in a noble tradition and has a noble name. She has chosen you as her groom and has accepted you as her future partner. Kindly accept this noble daughter of ours as we accept you as the partner in her life.
The Groom now extends his hands, palms facing up.
The parents (of the Bride) then pass the hand of the Bride (containing the dough) into the hands of the groom.
The groom says:
ओं प्रतिगृह्णामि
Om prati-grihṇaami
I accept
Father’s song:
Baabul kee duwaaye letee jaa,
jaa tujhko sukhee sansaar mile
Maike kee kabhee na yaad aaye,
sasuraal me itnaa pyaar mile
Naazo se tujhe paalaa maine, kaliyo kee tarha,
phoole kee tarha
Bachpan me jhulaayaa hai tujhko,
baaho ne meree jhoolo ki tarha
Mere baag ki ai naazuk daalee,
tujhe har pal nayee bahaar mile
Jis ghar se bandhe hai bhaag tere,
us ghar me sadaa teraa raaj rahe
Hotho pe hasee kee dhoop khile,
maathe pe khushee kaa taaj rahe
Kabhi jiskee iyotee na ho pheekee,
tujhe aisaa roop singaar mile
- In Kanyadaan, the Father ‘hands’ over the bride to the hands of the groom. And the groom openly accepts his new role.
- गोत्र is the family’s lineage. This links back to the distinct lines of lineage of the rishis and their family/followings (For example, each Veda was mastered by a different sage—each ritualistic performance was therefore led by various experts from the different Vedas). Inter-gotra marriages are not permitted. Typically, the name of the rishi is used as the gotra.
- The Bride’s family prepares the dough. The dough is specially prepared for this purpose. Some precious metals are usually placed in its center (these may range from gold ornaments to coins
- The significance of these include:
– May an abundance of grains (food) always follow our daughter as we hand her over.
– Our daughter is our wealth, and we now entrust her to you.
– May both be blessed with wealth (at the center) and health (represented by the grains).
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