Hinduism is a religion native to India, broadly characterized byamong othersbeliefs in reincarnation, a supreme being with many forms and natures, and a desire for liberation from earthly evils. Here is a modern-day interpretation of the traditionally strict Indian wedding vows:

    "Let us take the first steps to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living. Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental, and spiritual powers. Let us take the third step, to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use. Let us take the fourth step, to acquire knowledge,

    love and trust. Let us take the fifth step, so that we be blessed with strong, virtuous, and heroic children. Let us take the sixth step, for self-restraint and longevity. Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock."
       
    An Indian wedding ritual is extremely complex and often performed under a bedi, or outdoor shrine. A priest, on behalf of the bride and groom, makes prayers and offerings, followed by ceremonial rituals, including four circlings around a sacred fire and the nuptial pole. Near the end of the ceremony the priest ties the groom's sash to the bride's veil and the couple exchanges their wedding vows, which include these traditional Hindu phrasings from the ritual of Seven Steps:    

    "We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the nights be honey-sweet for us; may the mornings be honey-sweet for us; may the earth be honey-sweet for us; may the heavens be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us; may the sun be all honey for us; may the cows yield us honey-sweet milk! As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled."