Jain Wedding Program Ceremony Explanation

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain wedding program, "Jain Wedding Program Ceremony Explanation," by Pravin K Shah and Navin Trivedi:

This document outlines the traditional Jain wedding ceremony for Neeti and Alex, highlighting the fusion of Jain and Unitarian Universalist principles. It emphasizes marriage as a sacred union of two souls, families, and faiths, aiming for unconditional love, harmonious living, and peaceful growth.

The ceremony is guided by Sri Pravin K. Shah and Pandit Navin Trivedi.

Key Components of the Ceremony:

• Navakar Mantra (Nine Prayers): This is the most significant Jain mantra, recited to honor enlightened souls (Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhus, and Sadhvis). It signifies respect for spirituality and reminds participants of the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha). The mantra is provided with its translation.

• Jaan Aagman (Arrival of the Groom's Party): The groom (Alex) and his party arrive, greeted by the bride's (Neeti's) family. The Navakar Mantra is recited to commence the auspicious occasion.

  • Varbediyu: Neeti's sister offers a water pitcher to the groom's party as a gesture of good luck. Alex's mother shows appreciation with a "tikka" (forehead mark) and a sweet, and Alex's uncle presents a gift in return.
  • Ponkhna Ceremony: Neeti's mother performs a ritual to dispel bad omens and welcomes Alex with teasing gestures. Alex's confident smile signifies his readiness for marriage. He then breaks an earthen pot, symbolizing overcoming marital challenges, and is reminded to step on it to show his determination. Rebecca, Alex's sister, carries pots of lentils and coins to help him stay focused, covered with a green cloth for good luck.
  • Mangalacharan (Auspicious Blessings): The ceremony officially begins with the Navakar Mantra and a prayer to Shree Mahavir Swami. Blessings are sought for the couple and guests. An antarpat (curtain) separates Alex and Neeti until she enters the mandap (wedding pavilion).

• Kanya Aagman (Arrival of the Bride): Neeti is escorted by her siblings and maternal uncles into the mandap.

• Mangalastak (Eight-fold Prayers): These prayers invite the divine to witness the marriage and protect the couple.

  • Exchange of Garlands: The couple exchanges garlands, symbolizing their mutual acceptance and love. Neeti garlands Alex first, signifying her free choice of groom. Alex reciprocates, welcoming her to their new life.
  • Mangal Tilak: The priest applies a kanku mark on the foreheads of the bride, groom, and their parents. A Rakshapotli (sacred red thread) is tied to their wrists for peaceful wishes.
  • Abhisheka: The priest anoints the couple's heads with holy water using a betel leaf, symbolizing peace and happiness and binding them in an eternal bond.
  • Kanya Daan (Entrusting the Bride): Neeti's parents symbolically hand her over to Alex, asking him to treat her as a loving and equal partner. Alex promises love and respect. The parents tie a varmala (hand-woven cord) around the couple for unity and protection.

• Hasta Melap (Joining of the Hands): The couple joins hands, symbolizing their union in body, mind, and spirit. They vow to walk hand-in-hand, remembering the divine and extending love and compassion to others.

• Chhedabandhan (Tying of the Knot): Neeti's sister ties a knot between Alex's scarf and Neeti's sari, representing eternal togetherness. The cloth symbolizes purity, and their combined strengths are likened to interwoven cotton threads.

• Mangalphera (Auspicious Four Rounds): Bound by the knot, the couple circles the sacred fire four times.

  • Alex leads the first three rounds, symbolizing contributions to dharma (trust, honesty, discipline), artha (ethical livelihood), and kaama (family happiness).
  • Neeti leads the final round, signifying moksha (liberation from material attachments).
  • Neeti's brother fills her palms with rice for each round, representing blessings of good health, happiness, wealth, and prosperity, which Neeti then offers to the supreme souls.

• Saptapadi (Seven Sacred Steps): The couple takes seven steps together, making seven promises to each other. These steps also acknowledge the seven guiding principles of Unitarian Universalism:

  1. Inherent worth and dignity of every person.
  2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
  3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth.
  4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
  5. The right of all people to have a voice.
  6. A community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
  7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

• Exchange of Rings & Mangalsutra: Alex places the mangal sutra (a sacred necklace) around Neeti's neck as a symbol of his love, integrity, and devotion. The seven gold beads on the necklace represent the seven steps they took together.

• Shanti Mantra & Kshmapana (Peace Prayer & Forgiveness): As the ceremony concludes, a chant for universal peace is recited. The couple and priest humbly seek forgiveness for any imperfections. Guests shower rice on the couple for blessings of longevity and prosperity.

The document concludes with a quote from Kahlil Gibran about love.