Omens: A divine intervention
Monday, 7th January, 2008
According to Hindu traditions, seven pheras to be taken by the bride and the groom around Agni Devta (holy-fire) are considered to vow seven promises to each other for the rest of their lives. The pheras signify seven ethical and religious commitments.
First: To share responsibilities of the house, food and finance.
Second: To provide strength and happiness.
Third: Devotion to spouse and children.
Fourth: To follow righteousness (Dharma).
Fifth: To share joy & sorrow.
Sixth: To pray together to seek divine blessings.
Seventh: Pledge not to deceive each other.
In a marriage, which I attended lately, a Punjabi girl married to a south Indian boy. Since it was an inter-caste marriage, interestingly, there were two priests present at the ceremony: one from the girl’s side and the other from the boy’s side. Both the pandits were profIcient and had knowledge of shastras/ mantras. Inadvertently, it became a cantankerous issue, when each priest contested to perform pheras, according to his own rituals and customs. There was an utter confusion, as the number of pheras would then be raised to 14, which is termed as unconventional and an unethical practice. The guests at the function were surprised and expressed various opinions.
An astrologer there suggested that if seven pheras were performed twice at the time of wedding, the process would dispel the damaging impact cast by the stars, if any. Though, the ritual looked to be mindboggling but he had tested its effectiveness and efficiency with many of his clients. The seven pheras to be performed twice was not really planned but they did. It was divine intervention of God. The seven pheras are considered like taking sankalp (oath) before ‘Agni’. The recitation of mantras is considered auspicious for longevity & conjugal bliss.
According to Maharishi Varahamihira and Shakoon Shastra, omens may be good and bad but in astrology, it carries a special importance. In life, we come across many unconventional things. All such incidents are known as omens and they are unintentional and sudden.
The astrological texts lay down much yoga, which suggest some particular remedies for Kaal Sarp yoga; Manglik; Ekbali yog; Hans yoga; Vaapi yoga; Aman yoga; Mahapatak yoga; Chakra yoga and there are other factors in the horoscope, which needs specific puja, as was done in the case of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan.
