In Hinduism, praying for a newly wedded couple is a cherished ritual. It symbolizes blessings for a harmonious, prosperous, and love-filled married life. Here’s a comprehensive guide that includes prayers, puja steps, traditional clothing, ideal deities, mantras, and modern adaptations for blessing newlyweds.
1. Preparing for the Prayer Ritual (Puja)
Before starting, choose an auspicious time (like early morning or sunset) to perform the puja. The couple or the family conducting the puja should bathe and dress in fresh, preferably new, clothes.
Clothes and Colors:
- Bride: Traditionally, the bride can wear shades of red, yellow, or green, which are considered auspicious and symbolize prosperity, fertility, and happiness.
- Groom: The groom is often encouraged to wear white, cream, or saffron, representing purity and spiritual strength.
- General Attire for Family: Family members can wear these auspicious colors as well to amplify the positive energy during the puja.
2. Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship for Newlyweds
Each deity represents a unique aspect of marital harmony, love, and prosperity:
- Shiva-Parvati: Embodies marital bliss, mutual respect, and balance.
- Radha-Krishna: Represents unconditional love and devotion.
- Lakshmi-Narayana: Symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and peace in the household.
- Saraswati: Offers blessings for wisdom and harmony in communication.
- Rati-Kamdev: Inspires romantic love and physical affection.
- Hanuman and Ganesha: Both are revered for removing obstacles and granting strength to the marriage.
3. Simple Puja Steps and Prayers
Essential Items:
- Fresh flowers (rose, marigold, lotus)
- Incense sticks or dhoop
- Oil lamp (diya)
- Fruits and sweets as offerings
- Fresh water
- A small bell
- Red/yellow sacred thread (moli) for both partners to wear on their wrists
Steps for the Puja:
Purification: Sprinkle a few drops of holy water (like Ganga water) in the space to purify it.
Lighting the Diya: Begin the puja by lighting the oil lamp, representing the divine light in life.
Offering Flowers and Prayers: Offer flowers and incense sticks to the deities. As you do so, visualize the blessings being received by the couple.
Reciting Mantras and Prayers: Chant mantras dedicated to the respective deities (some options are given below). Recite each mantra with intention and visualize the couple’s future blessed with harmony, love, and prosperity.
Tying the Moli: Tie the sacred red or yellow thread around the couple's wrists as a symbol of divine protection.
Offering Prasadam: Conclude by offering sweets to the deities and sharing the prasadam with family members, symbolizing the blessings passed down.
4. Suggested Mantras and Prayers for Each Deity
Shiva-Parvati:
For the ideal balance in marriage, mutual respect, and companionship.
- Mantra: "Om Uma Maheshwaraya Namah"
Translation: "Salutations to the divine couple, Uma and Maheshwara." - Prayer: "Oh Shiva and Parvati, bless this couple with a harmonious and balanced life filled with understanding and respect."
Radha-Krishna:
For love, devotion, and joy in the marriage.
- Mantra: "Om Radha-Krishnaaya Namaha"
Translation: "Salutations to Radha and Krishna, the divine couple of love." - Prayer: "Radha and Krishna, may your eternal love inspire this couple to live in unity and devotion for each other."
Lakshmi-Narayana:
For wealth, prosperity, and peace in the home.
- Mantra: "Om Lakshmi Narayanaaya Namaha"
Translation: "Salutations to Lakshmi and Narayana, the gods of wealth and peace." - Prayer: "Lakshmi Narayana, bless this home and marriage with abundance, prosperity, and a peaceful environment."
Saraswati:
For wisdom, harmony in communication, and creative fulfillment.
- Mantra: "Om Saraswatiyai Namah"
Translation: "Salutations to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge." - Prayer: "Oh Saraswati, grant this couple wisdom and harmony in their thoughts and speech, that they may grow together with understanding."
Rati and Kamdev:
For romance, intimacy, and deeper connection.
- Mantra: "Om Kamdev Ratiyai Namaha"
Translation: "Salutations to Kamdev and Rati, gods of love and desire." - Prayer: "Oh Rati and Kamdev, inspire this marriage with love, passion, and a joyful union of hearts."
Ganesha:
For the removal of obstacles and for success.
- Mantra: "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
Translation: "Salutations to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles." - Prayer: "Oh Ganesha, remove all obstacles from this marriage and bless it with success, joy, and longevity."
Hanuman:
For strength, courage, and dedication.
- Mantra: "Om Hanumate Namaha"
Translation: "Salutations to Hanuman, the god of strength and devotion." - Prayer: "Oh Hanuman, grant this couple the strength to overcome all challenges together and remain devoted to each other."
5. Practical Steps for Modern Times
For couples who may prefer simpler or time-efficient blessings, here are some contemporary adaptations:
Digital Puja: If the couple is away, they or their family members can do a virtual puja via a video call. They can perform the prayers together even when physically apart.
Personalized Mantra Practice: Couples can choose one mantra (like "Om Namah Shivaya" or "Om Lakshmi Narayanaaya Namaha") to chant together every morning or evening to strengthen their bond and invite divine blessings into their marriage.
Mindfulness Practice with Deity Meditation: They can select an image of Shiva-Parvati or Radha-Krishna and meditate together, envisioning their ideal partnership qualities through the deity's attributes.
Couples’ Journal with Prayers: Start a shared journal with daily prayers, intentions, or gratitude for each other, inspired by the deities’ blessings.
6. Rare Facts about Hindu Wedding Blessings
The Mangalsutra: Traditionally, the groom ties a mangalsutra around the bride’s neck, symbolizing divine protection by Shiva and Shakti, ensuring long-lasting marital bliss.
Symbolism of Colors: Red represents energy and marital bliss; yellow is linked to happiness, and green symbolizes renewal and prosperity.
Hanuman's Role in Marriage: Often overlooked, Hanuman is revered for his dedication and loyalty, qualities that are ideal for a stable and loving marriage.
Sanskrit Blessing for Well-Wishers: "Saha Navavatu" can be chanted by family members to wish for peace and protection for the couple.
These rituals, prayers, and symbolic practices help strengthen the couple's spiritual bond and pave the way for a life filled with love, joy, and divine blessings.