Saptapadi- Naitik Akshara- A theme went astray?

Hi all,

This one is in response to a fellow reader's keen desire to understand Indian rituals and their meaning while she, ( a non Indian by birth), is wholeheartedly adopting this country as her own.🤗 ( https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/38416738 ) I'd as well have posted in her thread, but then an idea came- to present it for a broader range of reflection and hence an independent post.

Saptapadi, an important marriage ritual was almost a year and half old episode, but that one is always relevant. Akshara- Naitik are created as an ideal couple (at least ultimately, if not now). But their journey so far is full of bumps. So what is their (makers') idea of ideal? In absence of any model owned, we can only apply their detailed initiation- Saptapadi's seven vows to each other (along with four Feras) - as their intention. Are they true to their proclamation? Of course no one can show those archaic vows to the letter, but are they at least attempting side by side, their prime motive- the revenue/TRPs? My take is yes, even if clumsily, over and above a string of forgettable, overstretched or illogical tracks. Let us dissect in constructive manner to tell them what we want.

Episode 141 date: 27 /28 ? July 2009

step 1 to 3 https://www.indiaforums.com/video/akshara-and-naitik-take-oaths_36530?ri=4&rv=5755

Step 4 to 7 https://www.indiaforums.com/video/4th-promise_36531?ri=4&rv=5755

The original write-up is courtesy, a very discerning member on IF; username: Gardes. I have modified it to match YRKKH dialogues (not word to word).

The topic is off date and mood here is light, nevertheless, do drop your thoughts on a bit serious topic. We'll revert back to happy banters and pounce on the Cvs for their idiosyncrasies. 😊

Saptapadi as an important ritual may have wide interpretation. In many communities they are altogether absent. I myself don't grasp its full implication but its far reaching comprehensiveness has been fascinating. It's an outline to achieve a happy union balancing family, reproduction and above all a true bond of friendship between two wedded persons. Its relevance varies from urbane nuclear family to conservative joint families. And likewise some of its points affects people differently; from obsolete (even regressive in patriarchal system- for some?) to meaningful. Our main grouse, Akshara's neglect of her husband- even illogical sometimes, at her own expense- in preference to other family members- periphery preceding the core- is a struggle to discharge those assumed duties to her family, unfortunately in conflict with her primary vow, camaraderie and companionship with her husband. But she is growing (along with the creatives). In the present track they are not shown in discord. The generation-gap conflict is very much real. As well as overbearing 'intrusion' of the elder's expectation in matters of reproduction. Let us hope they will tackle these conflicting issues in true comradeship of a marriage as prescribed in Saptapadi vows.( Crossing the fingers- in tomorrow's episode they present a united front against Baisa's tyranny, Akshara not buckling and defecting at the crucial moment!)

Originally posted by: gardes

Thanks, Smrth, for taking time out to simplify Saptapadi. I love the side-by-side view of the Saptapadi, a breakdown of vows by gender.

I am not a religious person by any means yet Saptapadi to me means one of the most important and comprehensive of all agreements between a husband and wife in a marriage (yet it is also one of the hardest to follow as a couple settles into wedded "bliss"). It is as powerful and relevant in this day and age, as it did millenia ago when first written.

I will watch the episodes you have mentioned and will come back with my thoughts later.