"Why is Gowthami Aunty grabbing a coconut in her hands?" Parikshit questioned Ram as he seen Gowthami snagging one.
"I also don't have any idea," Ram said, staring blankly.
Parikshit was approached by Radha, who was standing close by and explained that the coconut represents wealth and good fortune.
"In a relationship, a coconut stands for giving freely and putting one's ego aside. As she embarks on a new adventure, the bride is pictured bearing the blessings of the Lord. "
Ram turned to face Radha and said, "Thank you, aunty, for taking care of my little problems." Radha grinned.
"I would follow suit if he asked throughout your marriage."
"Marriage of mine?", Ram pondered what had occurred to Radha and the reason for her behavioral changes today. He ignored her remarks and focussed on the wedding.
The bride and groom's chairs are opposite from each other, with a curtain between them to keep them from glancing at each other right now.
"Why were they keeping the curtain there?" Parikshit asked.
Radha said, "As far as we are concerned, the time is right for marriage. A veil is placed between them before that time since the bridegroom is not allowed to gaze at the bride. That after jeelakarabellum, the bride takes care of the husband for the first time in the marriage. The veil has a swastika symbol. A legend states that the Swastika emblem sprang from the foot of the goddess Lakshmi. Therefore, the swastika is etched on the veil to bestow prosperity, joy, and good fortune onto the newlywed pair. The veil, which is reserved for males, is owned by both families. "
Glancing at Radha, Parikshit thanked her for elucidating his doubt.
During the wedding, Sashi and Abhi covered for Gowthami's parents.
Abhi began to reflect on the few moments earlier, when he had driven the Gowthami to the wedding venue.
As the sun's golden rays filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow in the room, Abhi and Sashi entered Gowthami's chamber with a sense of urgency. It was her wedding day, and the clock was ticking. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, but Gowthami seemed oblivious to the rush of the day. Instead of preparing, she was seated quietly, poring over a worn book, her delicate fingers tracing the edges of its yellowed pages.
Sashi's voice broke the stillness. "It's getting late, Gowthami. Shouldn't you be getting married instead of reading literature?"
Gowthami lifted her gaze, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, Sashi, all while I was positioned there, and one of my books slipped from the shelving unit. I quickly grabbed it and put it back on the shelf as soon as I spotted it. "Her voice trailed off as she glanced back at the book in her hands, as if it held some hidden significance.
Abhi, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and reached for the book. "Let me put it back for you," he offered, sensing the weight of the moment.
As soon as the book touched his hands, something stirred in Abhi's mind. The cover, the feel of the pages—it was all too familiar. His eyes widened slightly as recognition dawned. "Is this... Rudra Uncle's book?" he asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and caution.
Gowthami shrugged lightly, her expression thoughtful. "I might have just bought the book from the Rajeev Clinic one day out of boredom but was unable to find the time to study it," Gowthami hypothesized.
"However," Abhi said, "do you understand this language?" This book contains several languages, which he was well-versed in.
He wasn't sure whether she could read all the languages since he had previously seen her reading in an antiquated tongue.
Gowthami looked at him, her eyes sparkling with quiet confidence. "I've learned to read a few ancient languages, yes. It fascinates me. I was hoping to dive into this one soon."
Sashi chimed in with pride, "She's brilliant, Abhi. She can read more than just one old language. Gowthami's knowledge spans across many dialects and ancient scripts."
Abhi raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You know these old dialects? I didn't realize you were so well-versed in this kind of history."
Before Gowthami could respond, Sashi interjected, her tone urgent. "All of this can wait! We're already running late. Everyone is waiting for us in the foyer." Her voice carried a sense of urgency, her eyes wide with concern as she motioned for Gowthami to hurry.
With a sigh, Gowthami set the book aside and rose from her chair, her wedding dress rustling softly as she moved. The significance of the book seemed to fade into the background as the reality of the moment settled in. She was about to step into a new chapter of her life—a life with Rajeev.
Sashi and Abhi hurried her out of the room, their minds still lingering on the mystery of the book, but knowing there would be time to uncover its secrets later. For now, the wedding awaited, and nothing could be more important than the union that was about to take place.
Then they went back to the wedding venue with Gowthami.
"She skillfully removed the snake's fangs and outwitted it, according to a story told by Ram. She was an extremely skilled swordswoman. I have to be aware of her past", Abhi evoked himself.
"Who is that girl? How is it that she can understand languages so old? "
Sashi saw his partner brooding.
"Abhi, what thoughts are you having? Leave your beliefs behind and make a marital commitment," she said.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking this," Abhi thought to himself as he accepted his assignment.
"Stop being sad and enjoy yourself, Rajeev is getting married," Sashi murmured, glancing at her kind spouse.
During the ritual, the bride's parents, Sashi and Abhi, wash the groom's feet.
Parikshit wondered why his father was washing his uncle Rajeev's feet when he witnessed it.
According to Ram, the bride, who is believed to be "Devi Lakshmi," is to be wed to the bridegroom, who is believed to be a manifestation of "Lord Vishnu." Beginning with the bride and groom's feet and hands being washed with milk and water, the parents beg their daughter's hand in marriage. During this process, known as Kanyadaan, cleaning their feet represents the cleanliness of their bodies and souls in anticipation of a new life together. Kanya and daan both mean "gift" or "give up," respectively. A typical Hindu custom known as "Kanyadaan" or "the giving away of the bride" entails the father of the groom "giving away" his daughter. In essence, each dharma was valued based on its age. It gave yajnas, knowledge, penance, and charity considerable significance in the Dwaparayuga, Tretayuga, Kritayuga, and Kaliyuga eras. This is clearly stated in the Padma Purana. In all, 16 distinct types of presents are enumerated. Four of the gifts are particularly distinctive. They go by the names Vidyadanam, Kanyadaan, Godanam, and Bhudanam
They are known as Chaturvidha Dana. Both the cow in Godanam and the property in Bhudanam are completely transferred to the donee. The ability to perceive them. Might be transferred to another individual. Anything is feasible. Unlike Kanyadaan, they are not. Kanyadaan is designed to fulfill all of the bride's parental responsibilities, including her upbringing, protection, happiness, comfort, and encouragement. She will now give it to her husband and her in-laws. To get married, both parties must agree. It should be believed in, respected, and followed since it is a testimony from heaven, a witness from the fire, and a witness from the conscience. The beneficiaries of this are their families, not the bride and groom. Kanyadaan is working for a single goal. The picture also depicts the support, safety, and love felt during childbirth.
The main goal is to get undisturbed. This phase mentally prepares you for integrating and adjusting to your in-laws. Provides assurance.
Even after the gift has fallen, the groom who washes the son-in-law's feet—the true embodiment of Vishnu—refuses to take it. He demands that the bridegroom say a few vows. And our precious daughter, the matriarch of the family whom he has reared for so many years, asks for specific vows so that the groom does not so simply take her in his arms.
1. The bride accepts your request provided you promise not to go against her dharma. He makes a vow not to mistreat her in the Dharma.
2. You must refrain from physically harming her. Regardless of what you have previously earned, she is in command of any future income. The groom will also agree to it if pressed.
3. If you're thinking about wanting anything, you should consider our mother. You must be a member of my daughter's family. You cannot transfer your eligibility to someone else. The future husband-to-be agrees, that is.
Finally, Gowthami extended her hand to Rajeev. The mantras Dharmeca, Artheca, Kamecha, and Moksheca are said while three times addressing the bride's father, Abhi.
Rajeev also promises to Abhi three times that he would be at the bride's side during both joyful and sorrowful occasions.
Rajeev made a promise to himself: "I won't leave you Gowthami—righteously, financially, sexually, or spiritually