Wedding Song
           (To Rajesh and Remya – Nov 2005)

Lakshmi Kalyanam vaibhogame…

Amma sums up a whole
wedding in a phone
call – in a matter of

minutes, she transports           
me through time and
space into the pagoda

of flowers  – my sleeping
senses awaken and
greedily drink it all:

the bride in her red
finery - her veil of
jasmine blooms

exuding the fragrance
of  dreams; bangles
tinkle into my dull,

aching brain; jewellery
sparkles in the skies;
the rustle of silk

echoes in the wind;
incense melts in the
mists; mountains of

sweetness arise, with
promises to come;
At the altar of marriage,

Agni stands, an eternal
witness of two souls
in union; the dancing

waves in Saptapathi
take seven steps on
the rock of fidelity;

chanting mantras stir
my spirit and I rise
high above the trees,

dressed in gold
and red and hum
the wedding song…


Notes:

1. The Hindu wedding is ceremonised before the sacred fire, Agni, who is symbolised as the eternal witness.  Hence the ceremony is called Agnisakshi (witnessed by fire).  The Saptapathi are the seven steps taken by the bride and groom around the fire promising long-lasting fidelity.
2. Amma – mother
3. Agni –fire
4. Mantra – prayer
5. Lakshmi Kalyanam Vaibhogame – translated as -  Let's celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi (The Hindu Goddess of Prosperity).  This is the line from a South Indian, Brahmin wedding song.  The new daughter in law is welcomed into the household as Lakshmi (The Goddess of Prosperity).