Mangalsutra

My first post on hindu marriage customs . All of us follow the wearing of the mangalsutra so sincerely but have we ever wondered why it was done to start with . Here is one explanation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-932US7Ouk

The three knots symbolize three different aspects of a married woman -

the first knot represents her obedience to her husband, the second to his parents and the third represents her respect for God.

Apart from the mangalsutra, the Toe rings, the Kumkum, bangles, Nallapoosalu and nose ring form the six sacred symbols that indicate the woman is married.

Vaishali and I were looking for further meaning on why the mangalsutra or for that matter any other symbolism is worn by the woman , there seems to be nothing for the man . And it seemed like this was a recent change . In the vedic times women were supposed to be the ones who called the shots in marriage , it is only later than women started being treated as objects for marriage. And to support this theory we found something else.

"Historically, the custom of tying a mangalsutra, the auspicious emblem or cord, on the wedding day, appears to have become popular only after the 6th century AD. Before this, a yellow protective cord known as 'kankanabandhana' was tied around the wrists of the bride and the groom to signal their commitment to marriage."

So as the post suggests , earlier on both man and woman followed the same rituals but then as time progressed the symbolisms were all just passed on to the woman.


Remember the famous song from Saathiya ....every wondered what that meant , it is basically a mantra that is chanted when tying the mangalsutra


Mangalyam Thanthunanena mama jeevana hethuna Kante badhnami subhake sanjeeva sarathas satham” 

Its meaning is: “This is a sacred thread which helps in keeping me alive. I am placing this around your neck so that you can live happily for a hundred years”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q44WFMeb7Hg&feature=related