With reverence and hope, the family gathered and invoked the blessings of Savitar, praying for a wife who would bring harmony and prosperity—a woman who would never harm her brother, nor bring distress to her husband, who would be cherished by Varuṇa, fruitful through the grace of Bṛhaspati, and ever faithful under Indra’s watchful eye. As the sacred rites unfolded, they called out: “O post, do not harm the maiden as she walks the path prepared by the gods. At the very threshold of this divine house, let us make her journey gentle and joyful.” The sacred utterance, the mantra, was woven through every moment—at the beginning, the end, and the middle—surrounding the bride as she entered the city of the gods unharmed, shining with auspiciousness in the world of her new husband. At the forefront of the procession, Sūryā was yoked to the bridal car. The family prayed to Agni to grant them a wife who would bring forth children and prosperity for their husbands. Agni responded, returning the bride adorned with long life and splendor, blessing her husband to live a hundred autumns in health and joy. In the ancient order, Soma was her first husband, the Gandharva her second, Agni her third, and finally, men born of men became her fourth. Soma entrusted her to the Gandharva, the Gandharva to Agni, and Agni, in turn, bestowed wealth, sons, and this woman herself. The Aśvins, rich in horses, were invoked to come with good thoughts, to fill the hearts of the couple with desire and joy, to become guardians and lords of beauty, and to grant the favor of Aryaman. With minds full of happiness and auspicious thoughts, the gods were asked to bestow renowned wealth, to grant an easy passage, good sustenance, firm standing, and to remove all evil intentions. The bride was protected by the herbs, the rivers, the fields, and the forests, so that she might be fruitful for her husband and safe from all demons. The path chosen was one of ease and well-being, where the hero would not perish, but instead gain prosperity. All were called to hear the blessing by which the couple would enjoy happiness together. The Gandharvas, Apsarases, and all divine beings dwelling in the trees were asked to be gracious to the bride and not harm her as she entered her new home. Any who might bring disease or ill fortune to the bride were sent away by the worshipful gods. The robbers lying in wait were banished, and enemies were driven far as the couple crossed difficult places in safety. The bridal car was harnessed with sacred utterance, with the household, with gentle sight, and with friendship. Whatever was bound and of many forms, Savitar was called to make pleasant for the husbands. A gracious woman had come to the house, her place assigned by the Creator. Aryaman, Bhaga, the Aśvins, and Prajāpati were invoked to grant her prosperity and many children. The noble woman, full of self, was welcomed; the man would sow the seed within her, and she would bear children, nurturing them with the milk and essence of life. She was encouraged to stand firm and majestic, like Vishnu, with Sarasvati’s grace. Sinivali was invoked to be born, dwelling in the favor of Bhaga. The waters were asked to rise and strike gently, releasing all bonds, so that no evil-doer, no envious one, nor slayer of life might harm the couple. With gentle gaze, free from hostility, the bride was to come, seeking happiness, desiring sons and brothers-in-law. She was to enter the household, free from enmity, radiant, fruitful, and full of desire for family, sitting by the household fire with gentleness. A prayer was offered to Nirriti, the spirit of dissolution: “Why do you linger here? Depart from this house, for it is empty for you now. Go to your own place, do not remain here.” If the bride had not worshipped the household fire before, she was now to honor Sarasvati and the ancestors first. A protective armor was spread for the woman, and Sinivali was called to dwell in the good favor of Bhaga. When the bulrush was laid down and the hide spread, the maiden who found a husband would grow with good offspring. She was to sit upon the red hide, worshipping the fire, seeking good progeny. Climbing upon the hide and sitting near the fire, she was told that this god would destroy all demons. Here, she would bear children for her husband and attain the highest rank—a son. The cattle, in all their forms, would be born and stand by the mother’s side; the bride would sit with good fortune, worship the fire, and honor the gods, even as a co-wife. Auspicious and crossing over, she was to enter the houses, well-disposed to her husband, gracious to her father-in-law and mother-in-law, and gentle to all the households and people, bringing prosperity to all. The gathered women were called to look upon the auspicious bride, to give her good fortune and drive away misfortune. Any radiance possessed by young or old women was to be given to her, and their misfortune turned away. The golden covering was brought forth, bearing all forms, and Sūryā, daughter of Savitṛ, was called to ascend for great good fortune. The bride was invited to ascend the bed with a cheerful mind, to bear children for her husband, to wake alert and shining like Indrani at dawn. In the beginning, the gods withdrew, and the wives touched one another with their bodies. The woman was to become manifold in form like the sun, great in majesty, fruitful, and to unite with her husband. Viśvāvasu was honored and asked to rise, to seek kin among the ancestors, for his share was with them by birth. The Apsarases were called to delight in their feasts between the offering and the sun, and the bride was sent to her origin with their permission and the Gandharva’s blessing. Homage was paid to the Gandharva, to Bhāma, and to the eye, and with sacred utterance, Viśvāvasu was honored; the bride was to pass on with the Apsarases. Prayers were offered for a good mind, for joy through wealth, and for the favor of the Gandharva. The god had attained the highest seat, and the family had come to the place where life is renewed. Finally, the mother and father, as givers of seed, sent forth the bride. Like a man with a woman, she was placed upon the marriage-bed, that she might bear offspring and prosper in wealth—thus was the sacred marriage fulfilled.