Multipronged Connection of the Hindu Culture with Cosmology

While no other culture seems to have felt the need of connecting itself with cosmology, surprisingly, it is not so in the case of the Hindu Culture.

Even though Hindu Culture happens to be the oldest cultures of the world; how it tried to connect itself to the cosmology is evident from not only the fact that they circumambulate around the holy fire seven times; they even take seven pledges when they tie the nuptial knot.

They circumambulate seven times around the holy fire only because it is reminiscent of the seven stars (Dhube, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid) that revolve around the North Star (Alpha Ursae Minoris) so that this custom may remind them that their marriage is being witnessed by these Seven Sages (after whose names, these stars have been named in India).

The Seven Sages after whose names these stars have been named

Actually, the circumambulation of the couple around the fire at the time of marriage is supposed to signify that their circumambulation is analogous to the circumambulation of the North Star by the sages, named below.

1. Bhrigu

2. Atri

3. Angirasa

4. Vashishtha

5. Pulastya

6. Pulalaha

7. Kratu

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Actually, the number 7 relates to even the number of the following “geocentric planets” — the planets, we can see with naked eyes.

1. Sun

2. Moon

3. Mars

4. Venus

5. Jupiter

6. Mercury

7. Saturn

It is so interesting that even the weekdays have been named after the names of these planets.

For instance, Sunday is called “Ravivar” since “Sun” is known as “Ravi” in Hindi; Monday is called “Somvar” since Moon is known as “Som” in Hindi; Tuesday is called “Mangalvar” since Mars is known as “Mangal” in Hindi; Wednesday is called “Budhvar” since Venus is known as “Budh” in Hindi and, likewise, Thursday is called “Guruvar” since “Jupiter” is known as “Guru” in Hindi, and so on.

By chance, the number “7” matches with not only the number of the oceans (seas) the Earth has but even with the number of its continents.

And, as if, it was not enough, the number “7” is linked to even the number of the “levels of relativity”.

Levels of Relativity

We have exactly seven levels of relativity, as described below.

The First Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something moving assuming that we are a stationary object.

The Second Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something from a point from where we could see that the Earth is rotating around its axis.

The Third Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something from a point from where we could see that the Earth is also revolving around the Sun.

The Fourth Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something from a point from where we could see that the axis of the Earth is also wobbling in space, as shown below.

The Fifth Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something from a point from where we could see that the Sun is up-heaving and down-heaving as shown below.

The Sixth Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something from a point from where we could see that the Sun is also travelling toward Lambda Hercules at a speed of 20 km per second.

The Seventh Level of Relativity ….. When we look at something from a point from where we could see that the Sun is revolving around the black hole of our galaxy.

Seven vows, taken by the Hindus at the time of marriage

Though all vows are chanted in Sanskrit, these vows are:

(i) The vows, taken after the first round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: You shall offer me food and be helpful in every way. I shall provide welfare and happiness to you.

By the bride: I shall be responsible for the home and all household affairs.

(ii) The vows, taken after the second round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: Together, we shall protect our house and children.

By the bride: I shall provide all the courage and strength to you and shall rejoice your happiness.

(iii) The vows, taken after the third round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: May we grow wealthy and prosperous and strive for the happiness of our children.

By the bride: I shall love you solely for the rest of my life as you are my husband.

(iv) The vows, taken after the fourth round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: You have brought sacredness into my life. May we be blessed with noble and obedient children.

By the bride: I shall strive to please you in every way.

(v) The vows, taken after the fifth round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: You are my best friend and my staunchest well-wisher. May God bless you!

By the bride: Your happiness is my happiness and your sorrows are my sorrows. I shall trust you and honour you.

(vi) The vows, taken after the sixth round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: By taking six steps with me you have filled my heart with immense happiness. I hope you shall keep on filling my heart with happiness the same way all the time.

By the bride: I shall be always by your side.

(vii) The vows, taken after the seventh round of the fire.

By the bridegroom: Now onward, I am your husband and you are my wife. May I remain your husband and you remain my wife forever.

By the bride: As god has witnessed — I have become your wife now. I vow to love and honour you for the rest of my life.

Since these vows are taken in the presence of all the relatives of the couple; it becomes obligatory for them to keep these vows in mind, throughout their life.