﻿OF THE HINDUS, &C. 303 



is then chanted. " Charming Saraswati', swift 

 as a mare ! vhom I celebrate in face of this uni- 

 verse ; protect this [solemn rite.] O thon ! in whom 

 the elements were produced ; in whom this universe 

 was framed. I now will sing that hymn [the nup- 

 tial text] which constitutes the highest glory of 

 women." The hride and bridegroom afterwards 

 walk round the fire, while the following text is re- 

 cited : " Fire ! thou didst fiist espouse this female 

 sun [this v.'oman, beautiful like the sun :] now 

 let a human being again espouse her by thy 

 means. Gi\e her, O fire ! with offspring, to a 

 [human] husband." The remainder of the rice is 

 then dropped into the fire as an oblation to the god 

 of love. 



The next ceremony is th.e bride's stepping seven 

 steps. It is the most material of all the nuptial 

 rites : for the marriage is complete and irrevokable, 

 so soon as she has taken the seventh step, and not 

 sooner. She is conducted by the bridegroom, and 

 directed by him to step successively into seven 

 circles, while the following texts are uttered: 1. 

 *' May Visiix'u cause thee to take one step for 

 the sake of obtaining food." 2. " IVIay VisHN't^ 

 cause thee to take one step for the sake of ob- 

 taining strength." 3. " Three steps for the sake 

 of solemn acts of religion." 4. " Four steps for 

 the sake of obtaining happiness." 5. " Five stej)s 

 tor the sake of cattle." 6. " Six steps for the 

 sake of increase of wealth." 7. " Seven steps far 

 the sake of obtaining priests to perform sacrifices*." 

 The bridegroom then addresses the bride, " Having 

 completed seven steps, be my companion. May I 

 become thy associate. May none interrupt thy as- 

 sociation with me. May such as are disposed to 



promote 



* In the Vijjur'veda the texts are varied, so that the third step is 

 for increase of wealth, and the sixth for obtaining happy seasca??,' 



