Saptapadi Mantras in Sanskrit: Text, Transliteration & Pronunciation
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What are the Saptapadi Mantras?
The Saptapadi (Seven Steps) is the most critical rite of many traditional Hindu wedding ceremonies. As the couple takes seven sacred steps around the Agni (sacred fire), specific ancient Vedic mantras are chanted.
Each mantra accompanies one sacred step. Together, they represent the couple's structured commitment to nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, family, health, and lifelong friendship.
For couples planning their ceremony, designing wedding programs, or looking to understand the exact pronunciation of their vows, this page serves as a precise reference to the original Sanskrit text.
If you'd like to understand the meaning behind each mantra, read our guide to the Seven Sacred Vows of the Saptapadi.
The Seven Sacred Steps
| Step | Theme |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Nourishment |
| Step 2 | Strength |
| Step 3 | Prosperity |
| Step 4 | Happiness |
| Step 5 | Family |
| Step 6 | Health |
| Step 7 | Friendship |
Step 1: For Nourishment
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ इषे एकपदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om ih-shay eh-kuh-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om iṣe ekapadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to nurture and care for one another throughout life."
Purpose of the Step: To ensure the home never lacks physical sustenance, and to pledge mutual nourishment of the mind and spirit.
Step 2: For Strength
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ ऊर्जे द्विपदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om oor-jay dwee-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om ūrje dvipadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to be each other’s strength, courage, and support."
Purpose of the Step: To secure the physical and mental resilience required to face life’s inevitable challenges as an anchored team.
Step 3: For Prosperity
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ रायस्पोषाय त्रिपदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om raa-yus-po-shaa-ya trih-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om rāyaspoṣāya tripadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to build a life of abundance, purpose, and shared growth."
Purpose of the Step: A commitment to creating honorable wealth and sharing that spiritual and financial prosperity with the wider community.
Step 4: For Happiness
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ मयोभवाय चतुष्पदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om muh-yo-bhuh-vaa-ya chuh-toosh-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om mayobhavāya catuṣpadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to fill our home with love, joy, and harmony."
Purpose of the Step: To cultivate a household rooted in deep mutual trust, binding two families together through a quiet, steady foundation of love.
Step 5: For Family
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ प्रजाभ्यः पञ्चपदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om pruh-jaa-bhyuh pun-chuh-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om prajābhyaḥ pañcapadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to cherish family and welcome life’s blessings."
Purpose of the Step: A shared responsibility toward future generations, promising to pass down core values and traditions to their children.
Step 6: For Health
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ ऋतुभ्यः षट्पदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om rih-too-bhyuh shut-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om ṛtubhyaḥ ṣaṭpadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to walk through every season of life with trust and understanding."
Purpose of the Step: A prayer for endurance, acknowledging that bodies age and seasons change, but the commitment to mutual care will never fade.
Step 7: For Friendship
Sanskrit: ॥ ॐ सखे सप्तपदी भव ॥
Pronunciation: Om suh-khay sup-tuh-puh-dee bha-va
Roman Transliteration: Om sakhe saptapadī bhava
Traditional Interpretation: "Together, we promise to remain companions, partners, and friends throughout life."
Purpose of the Step: The ultimate declaration of equality. In Hindu philosophy, true love is rooted in friendship (Sakha), and this step marks the completion of the marriage.
A Note on the Text: The Sanskrit text presented here follows the traditional recension used in PRESSENT's Saptapadi artwork. As with many Hindu wedding traditions, slight textual variations exist across regions and Vedic schools.
Preserve the Seven Sacred Vows
Some moments deserve more than photographs.
Our museum-quality Saptapadi Artwork preserves the seven sacred vows in timeless typography, creating a lasting reminder of the promises that began your marriage.
→ Explore the Saptapadi Artwork
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More
🕊️ What is Saptapadi? The Defining Ritual of a Hindu Wedding →
📖 Saptapadi Vows: Meaning of the Seven Sacred Wedding Steps →
⚖️ Saptapadi vs. Pheras: What is the Difference? →
🔢 Why Are There Seven Steps in a Hindu Wedding? →
🔥 Agni: Why Fire is the Sacred Witness in a Hindu Wedding →
🪔 Understanding a Hindu Wedding Ceremony: The Complete Timeline →