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Image: theurbannexus via Flickr
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“They are not said to be husband and wife
who merely sit together.
Rather they alone are called husband and
wife, who have one soul in two bodies.”
Guru Amar Das Ji, Pauri, pg. 788
Anand Karaj
This week my cousin will take the traditional steps to
marrying his beloved. Behind the glitz and the glamour, it is a tradition that
has been passed down from generation to generation, dating back to the times of
our Guru Jis.
A Sikh wedding is referred to as an Anand Karaj where a man
and woman are joined together before a congregation at a gurdwara in the holy
presence of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The bride and groom take their place in front of the Guru
Granth Sahib Ji, which is followed by an Ardas. The only people who stand for
this Ardas are the bride and groom and their parents. After the Ardas a Hukam
is read from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Then the father of the bride gets up to give
his daughter away. He takes one side of the groom’s scarf and places it in his daughter’s
hand.
After the bride has been given away there are four Laava. The
Laava are marriage hymns written by Guru Ram Das Ji. They are recited while the
groom leads his bride and circles around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a
clockwise direction. These Laava guide the couple on how to live in a
harmonious marriage by explaining the relationship between Waheguru and an
individual.
The ceremony is drawn to a close with an Ardas and the
offering of Karah Parshad to the congregation.
A brief summary of
the Laava
First Laava: Let go of the past and look forward to a new
beginning. By worshiping Waheguru Ji all your sins will be forgiven.
Second Laava: Waheguru Ji is the centre of the marriage and
the couple should advance towards him.
Third Laava: Fill your mind with ‘Divine Love’ through
worshipping together. It is through this worship that you will know your
destiny.
Fourth Laava: You will be a peace once you’re married life
is combined with love for Waheguru. The couple become one soul in two bodies.
Glossary
Anand Karaj
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“Blissful Union”
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Ardas
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A prayer.
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Gurdwara
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A Sikh place of worship.
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Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Guru Amar Das Ji
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The holy scriptures of Sikhism.
The third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.
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Guru Ram Das Ji
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The fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.
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Hukam
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Meaning command or order. Hukam is commonly used to
refer to a hymn that is read after the Ardas.
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Karah Parshad
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Is a holy offering that is given as a blessing from the
Guru.
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Laava
Pauri
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The marriage hymns written by Guru Ram Das Ji which are
recited during the Anand Karaj.
Paragraph or verse from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
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Waheguru Ji
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Is the term used by Sikhs to refer to God.
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