“A wife is a god given friend “. It is said in the Mahabharata.

Thus begins Dr Srinivasan introduction to the book, The Vedic Wedding, origins, custom and practice. Divided into 5 chapters and 4 appendixes, Dr Srinivasan book is a collection of Vedic wedding customs and traditions and his explanation on how to adapt these timeless rituals into meaningful and personalized wedding ceremonies for couples in the United States.

The ancient Indian custom of circumbulating the sacred fire binds two young persons together for life. It is undertaken before God Agni and the assembled relatives and friends. This ancient tradition has been kept alive in India for several thousand years/since early Vedic times/. Dr Srinivasan draws attention of the reader to the meaning of such a tradition. Marriage is defined as a journey through life together of a loving and committed couple. Through times of travail and happiness, gains and losses, success or failure (Says the Bhagwad Gita) marriage is a life long commitment, although it is the wisdom imparted by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra:

Kimsvin mitram grhesatta ?

Who is the friend of the householder?

Bharya mitram grhesata

One’s wife

The concept of the Dharmapatni is explained. The Vedic ideal of marriage according to Abhinash Subhas Chandra bose ( the Call of the Vedas,) is that of perfect monogamy, the life long companion ship of two people. Among the four stages of life, that of the householder is the best.”

According to Dr Srinivasan, A wedding on the other hand is an event and a ritual. A formalization and an acknowledgement. The next few chapters include  the origins, traditions and customs and detailed description of each ceremony like the swagatam, vara puja, jayamala, pravara, kanyadanam, mangalyadharanam, agni, homam, mangal phera, saptapadi, ashirvadam etc.

The book includes mantras in Devanagari script as well as Latin script and provides an English translation. The appendix describes the bridal attire, bridegroom attire and the jewellery worn by a bride. A wedding material list for the actual wedding ceremony . The book is beautifully illustrated at every stage and is visually appealing.

Dr Srinivasan emphasizes that every wedding reflects the unique values, taste, and heritage of the bride and groom. In the book he helps today's couples fill their wedding with special meaningful touches by revealing traditions and customs that span cultures and centuries and have symbolized love, luck, prosperity  and joy from time immemorial. He presents the information in a clear and concise format while informing the reader of the symbolism behind familiar wedding traditions. The bibliography is extensive and representative of the topics discussed within the text.

Dr Srinivasan will have  a multimedia presentation at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington on September 22nd, 2007

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