The following are excerpts from Caryacarya part 2:

The marriage premises and the marriage hall should be artistically decorated within one's economic means. If possible the courtyard of the house should be kept vibrant with music. The pratiika [emblem of A'nanda Ma'rga] should be placed in an elevated place in the marriage hall. Incense may be burnt at the time of the marriage. During the solemnization of the marriage at least ten persons should be present. The bride and the bridegroom, dressed in neat and appropriate clothing, will enter the marriage hall and sit facing each other. The persons present should greet them by blowing the conch or by other auspicious sounds. As directed by the a'ca'rya/a', collective Iishvara Pran'idha'na will be done.

Two a'ca'rya/a's (one on the groom's side and the other on the bride's side) will officiate. If two a'ca'rya/a's are not available, one can officiate. In the absence of any a'ca'rya/a', the seniormost Ma'rgi present will officiate.

Marriage Solemnization

First the a'ca'rya/a' will recite:

Onm' madhu va'ta' rta'yate
madhu ks'arantu sindhavah;
Ma'dhviirnah santvos'adhiih.

Madhu naktamutas'aso
madhumat pa'rthivam' rajah;
Madhu dyaorastu nah pita'.

Madhuma'nno banaspatir
madhuma'n astu su'ryah;
Ma'dhviirga'vo bhavantu nah.

Onm' madhu onm' madhu onm' madhu.*

Following the a'ca'rya/a', the bridegroom will repeat, "I say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that out of my own free will I accept Shriimatii/Ms. . . . . . . . as my wife. I take upon myself all the responsibility for her food, clothes, education, medical care, etc., from today."

Then the a'ca'rya/a' will recite:

Onm' madhu va'ta' rta'yate
madhu ks'arantu sindhavah;
Ma'dhviirnah santvos'adhiih.

Madhu naktamutas'aso
madhumat pa'rthivam' rajah;
Madhu dyaorastu nah pita'.

Madhuma'nno banaspatir
madhuma'n astu su'ryah;
Ma'dhviirga'vo bhavantu nah.

Onm' madhu onm' madhu onm' madhu.

Then the bride will say, "I say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that out of my own free will I accept Shrii/Mr. . . . . . . . as my husband. I take upon myself all the responsibility to look after his family life from today."

Thereafter the a'ca'rya/a' will again recite:

Onm' madhu va'ta' rta'yate
madhu ks'arantu sindhavah;
Ma'dhviirnah santvos'adhiih.

Madhu naktamutas'aso
madhumat pa'rthivam' rajah;
Madhu dyaorastu nah pita'.

Madhuma'nno banaspatir
madhuma'n astu su'ryah;
Ma'dhviirga'vo bhavantu nah.

Onm' madhu onm' madhu onm' madhu.

Then the bridegroom will say, "I say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that out of my own free will I accept Shriimatii/Ms. . . . . . . . as my wife. I will be vigilant in every way to safeguard her mental peace and ensure her mental progress from today."

The a'ca'rya/a' will then recite:

Onm' madhu va'ta' rta'yate
madhu ks'arantu sindhavah;
Ma'dhviirnah santvos'adhiih.

Madhu naktamutas'aso
madhumat pa'rthivam' rajah;
Madhu dyaorastu nah pita'.

Madhuma'nno banaspatir
madhuma'n astu su'ryah;
Ma'dhviirga'vo bhavantu nah.

Onm' madhu onm' madhu onm' madhu.

Then the bride will say, "I say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that out of my own free will I accept Shrii/Mr. . . . . . . . as my husband. I will be vigilant in every way to safeguard his mental peace and ensure his mental progress from today."

Then the a'ca'rya/a' will recite:

Onm' madhu va'ta' rta'yate
madhu ks'arantu sindhavah;
Ma'dhviirnah santvos'adhiih.

Madhu naktamutas'aso
madhumat pa'rthivam' rajah;
Madhu dyaorastu nah pita'.

Madhuma'nno banaspatir
madhuma'n astu su'ryah;
Ma'dhviirga'vo bhavantu nah.

Onm' madhu onm' madhu onm' madhu.

Then, the bridegroom will say, "I say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that I accept Shriimati/Ms. . . . . . . . as my wife. I will be vigilant in every way to ensure her spiritual progress from today."

Then the a'ca'rya/a' will recite:

Onm' madhu va'ta' rta'yate
madhu ks'arantu sindhavah;
Ma'dhviirnah santvos'adhiih.

Madhu naktamutas'aso
madhumat pa'rthivam' rajah;
Madhu dyaorastu nah pita'.

Madhuma'nno banaspatir
madhuma'n astu su'ryah;
Ma'dhviirga'vo bhavantu nah.

Onm' madhu onm' madhu onm' madhu.

Then the bride will say, "I say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that I accept Shrii/Mr . . . . . . . . as my husband. I will be vigilant in every way to ensure his spiritual progress from today."

Those present, led by the a'ca'rya/a', will repeat, "We say on oath in the name of Parama Brahma and Ma'rga Gurudeva that we are witnesses to this wedding. By the grace of all-merciful Brahma, may we be helpful to the best of our capacity for the all-round progress of this newly-married couple."

Thereafter the newly-married couple will garland each other and exchange the garlands three times. In the absence of garlands, they may exchange flowers. According to custom, the bridegroom may put a vermilion mark in the parting of the hair of the bride three times, and the bride may put a vermilion mark on the forehead of the bridegroom.*

Where there is no custom of using vermilion during the marriage ceremony, whether or not the bride and the bridegroom will use the same will be entirely left to their discretion. Before or after marriage the observances related to marriage solemnization according to local customs may be followed, but definitely they must not be ultra vires to Marga ideology.

The newly-married couple will hold each other's hands. A conch may be blown and other auspicious sounds may be made. If possible, arrangement may also be made for vocal and instrumental music. The newly-married couple will do pran'a'ma [salutations] to the a'ca'rya/a's* and to their parents or guardians.

A marriage feast is completely optional and depends upon the financial capacity of the people concerned. Arranging the feast by taking a loan or incurring a debt is prohibited.

* possibly only officiating a'ca'rya/a's, as throughout the text the word "a'ca'rya/a's" refers to officiating a'ca'rya/a's only.

Prabha'ta Sam'giita sung at marriage ceremonies

58 (27/10/1982) D


DU JANE JAKHAN, MILICHE TAKHAN,
EDER TOMRÁ ÁSHISA DIYO
DAHAN JVÁLÁTE, PHULER MÁLÁTE,
DUHKHA SUKHETE, SÁTHE THÁKIYO
DU JANE JAKHAN MILICHE TAKHAN,
EDER TOMRÁ ÁSHISA DIYO

MÁNAV SAMÁJ AVIBHÁJYA,
KONO NIIR’ NAHI PARITYÁAJYA
SABÁI MILIÁ NÁCIÁ GÁIÁ,
EDER TOMRÁ MÁNIÁ NIYO
EDER TOMRÁ ÁSHISA DIYO

DHARANIIR DHVANI, MAMATÁR VÁN’II,
EDER JIIVAN RÁNGIE DIYO
DU JANE JAKHAN MILICHE TAKHAN,
EDER TOMRÁ ÁSHISA DIYO


When two people are being united,
give them Your blessings.

Amidst their burning sorrows,
amidst their garlands of joy,
in their pains and pleasures,
be with them always.

Human society is indivisible.
Neglecting not a single family,
let us all together sing and dance.
O Lord, accept all as Your own

With the harmonies of the earth
and sweet messages of love,
fill their lives with colour.

listen to this son