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Saptapadi Mantra (Seven Steps / Seven Vows) — Word-by-Word Meaning

सप्तपदी मन्त्र

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

एकम् इषे
ekam iṣe
first step — for nourishment (food / sustenance)
द्वे ऊर्जे
dve ūrje
second step — for strength and vigour
त्रीणि व्रताय
trīṇi vratāya
third step — for the keeping of vows / righteous resolves
चत्वारि मायोभवाय
catvāri māyobhavāya
fourth step — for happiness and well-being
पञ्च पशुभ्यः
pañca paśubhyaḥ
fifth step — for progeny, cattle and prosperity
षड् ऋतुभ्यः
ṣaḍ ṛtubhyaḥ
sixth step — for harmony with the seasons (a life in tune with nature)
सप्त सप्तभ्यो होत्राभ्यः
sapta saptabhyo hotrābhyaḥ
seventh step — for the sevenfold sacrifices / lifelong friendship and devotion
विष्णुः त्वा अन्वेतु
viṣṇuḥ tvā anvetu
may Lord Vishnu follow (accompany and protect) you
सखा सप्तपदी भव
sakhā saptapadī bhava
having walked seven steps with me, become my friend (companion)
सखायौ सप्तपदी बभूव
sakhāyau saptapadī babhūva
by these seven steps we two have become friends
सख्यं ते गमेयम्
sakhyaṁ te gameyam
may I attain (and keep) your friendship
सख्यात् ते मा योषम्
sakhyāt te mā yoṣam
may I never be parted from your friendship
सख्यान् मे मा योष्ठाः
sakhyān me mā yoṣṭhāḥ
may you never be parted from my friendship

Complete Translation

(As we take the first step) may Vishnu follow you for nourishment; the second, for strength; the third, for the keeping of sacred vows; the fourth, for happiness; the fifth, for progeny and prosperity; the sixth, for harmony with the seasons; the seventh, for lifelong devotion and the sacred fires. Having taken these seven steps with me, become my companion; by these seven steps we have become friends. May I gain your friendship; may I never be separated from your friendship, and may you never be separated from mine.

Origin & History

Source: Hindu Vivaha Samskara — Grihya Sutra ritual; Saptapadi rite performed before Agni

Author: Traditional (Vedic Grihya ritual liturgy)

Period: Vedic / Classical (ancient ritual tradition)

In the Grihya (domestic) ritual tradition, the marriage sacrament culminates in the Saptapadi, performed before Agni, the fire-witness of all sacred acts. The bride and groom, garments tied together, take seven steps; with each, a blessing is invoked in the name of Vishnu — for food, strength, vows, happiness, progeny, the seasons, and the sacrificial fires. The closing verses turn the union into a covenant of eternal friendship. So central is this rite that classical Hindu jurisprudence holds the marriage to be complete and irrevocable only when the seventh step has been taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Saptapadi and why is it so important?▼
Saptapadi, the 'seven steps', is the rite in which the bride and groom walk seven steps together by the sacred fire, each step carrying a specific blessing. In Hindu tradition and law it is the decisive moment of the wedding — the marriage is considered legally and spiritually complete only after the seventh step is taken.
What does each of the seven steps mean?▼
The seven steps invoke, respectively: nourishment (ishe), strength (urje), the keeping of vows (vrataya), happiness (mayobhavaya), progeny and prosperity (pashubhyah), harmony with the seasons (ritubhyah), and lifelong devotion through the sacred fires (saptabhyo hotrabhyah) — with the prayer 'may Vishnu accompany you' at each step.
What is the meaning of 'Sakha saptapadi bhava'?▼
It means 'having taken seven steps with me, become my friend (companion).' After the seven steps, the partners vow eternal friendship — 'by these seven steps we have become friends; may I never be parted from your friendship, and may you never be parted from mine' — beautifully framing marriage as a union of equal, lifelong friends.
Why is Vishnu invoked in the Saptapadi?▼
Lord Vishnu, the preserver and sustainer of life and dharma, is asked to 'follow' (accompany and protect) the couple at every step, ensuring that the blessings of food, strength, righteousness, joy and progeny are upheld throughout their married life.

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