LAAVAAN (Sikh marriage ceremony)
‘Laa’ is a word of Apbhransh language; it mean to attach, to unite (laaviaa means attached, united). Laavaan is plural of laa.
It is marriage rites, in which the couple in marriage get united with each other. For this purpose they perform four nuptial circumambulations around Guru Granth Sahib (Hindu marriage rites are known as ‘sapatpadi’, and, they have seven circumambulations).
In Sikhism, this ceremony begins with reading of four hymns (from Guru Granth Sahib, pp. 773-74); these are read one by one; when one hymn is read out then the couple begins circumambulation, during this period the first hymn is now sung by the musicians; when one circumambulation is finished then second hymn is read and couple begins circumambulation and second hymn is sung by the musicians (and the same procedure is adopted for the rest two circumambulations also). After this Ardass (Sikh prayer) is performed which means Guru’s approval of the marriage.
Many Sikhs believe that the ceremony of nuptial circumambulation is a sort of imitation of the Hindu Sapatpadi ceremony (seven circles around fire). They believe that mere recitation of the four hymns, followed by an Ardaas, completes the marriage ceremony. This ritualistic performance of marriage was started in 1850s by Darbara Singh (of Nirankari mission Rawalpindi). Before this, just an Ardaas was performed to seek blessings of the Guru and to declare the couple as husband and wife.
The hymns read at the time of ceremony of marriage were not written for this purpose. These four hymns describe union of man with God. The four Laavan are the four stages of man’s path to union with God. The first is the stage of understanding for the necessity/purpose of union; the second stage is that of living in His noble fear and devotion; the third stage is the stage of surrender of one’s ego and immersion of oneself in Him and it is followed by (the fourth stage) the stage of union.
It indicates that the bride and the bridegroom have to strive to become one soul in two bodies and then they have to strive for union with God.
According to Sikhism, marriage is a sacred union. A Sikh marriage is not a contract; it is not union of two bodies and two souls. In Sikhism, the marriage partner and the time of marriage are pre-destined.
Mother, father, wife, sons, relatives, deity, friends and brothers
Are in union as pre-ordained,
But none of them can help when ending up.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.700)
Also see: Divorce.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)