Why Some Hindu Weddings Have Four Pheras Instead of Seven
Riya Kumari | Jan 20, 2025, 23:53 IST
Alright, picture this: you're at a wedding. The bride and groom are making those ritualistic rounds around the sacred fire, everyone’s watching, and you're wondering—Why are they circling around like it's the world’s most spiritual treadmill session? You’ve probably heard about the seven pheras, the seven sacred vows that supposedly seal a marriage in Hindu tradition. But here’s the twist no one tells you: it’s not always seven. In fact, originally, it was only four. Yeah, I know, plot twist of the century, right?
When it comes to weddings, everyone’s heard of the seven pheras. The bride, the groom, the sacred fire, and the whole family watching as vows are exchanged. It’s one of those scenes you could probably reenact if you’ve ever seen a Bollywood movie. But what if I told you that the traditional Hindu wedding, at its core, has only four pheras? Yeah, that’s right. Four.
The 4 Pheras
Let’s start with the basics. In a traditional Hindu wedding, the couple takes seven rounds (or pheras) around the sacred fire. These rounds symbolize promises—the first four between the bride and groom, and the last three between them and society. But here's the thing: there are only four pheras that matter most—the ones that symbolize the couple’s connection to each other, their vows, and their shared future. Now, you might wonder, "Why are we talking about four pheras when everyone says there are seven?" Well, that’s because those last three? They’re more symbolic of the world and community that the couple is now bound to, and less about the intimate vows that directly impact the couple’s lives. In fact, these three rounds were introduced later, not as a core part of the original wedding practice. Shocking, right? Turns out, we’ve all been making the rounds about rounds. But in all honesty, that’s pretty typical of weddings—traditions layered over the years like frosting on a cake until you're not sure where the original recipe ended and the sugar-high version began.
The First Four
So, what are the first four pheras all about? Let's break it down:
1. Dharma (Righteousness)
The couple’s first vow is a pledge to live a righteous life—together. This isn’t about following laws or pretending to have your life together in public (we all know we’re faking it). It’s about a deeper commitment to uphold values like integrity, honesty, and fairness. The core of a lasting partnership? Being on the same moral page. Forget about how much you love each other’s Netflix recommendations—this is the foundation.
2. Artha (Wealth and Prosperity)
We’re talking about more than money here, though. Artha is about creating a prosperous, balanced life—not just financial wealth, but wealth in experiences, wisdom, and opportunities. This vow acknowledges that success is a shared journey. And if you thought this vow was about achieving material success, well, it’s actually about building a life that’s truly rich. Spoiler alert: The only wealth that matters is mutual support and shared ambition.
3. Kama (Love and Passion)
Let’s not pretend we didn’t expect this one. The Kama vow is where the romance comes in. It's the agreement to share love and passion, yes, but not just in the "I’ll take you out for dinner" kind of way. This is about nurturing that spark—the emotional and physical connection that can grow over time. Because we all know that after a few years of marriage, it's not just about the flowers or fancy dinners, it’s about rekindling what makes your heart race in a way only your partner can. And honestly, isn’t that the dream?
4. Moksha (Spiritual Freedom)
The final vow in this sacred quadrangle? Moksha. Freedom. Liberation. This vow is a promise to help each other grow, evolve, and seek liberation in every form—whether it’s emotional, intellectual, or spiritual. It’s the understanding that your partner is not just a person to coexist with; they’re a companion on a path of personal and spiritual growth. It’s not about clinging to each other but rather setting each other free to grow together. Deep, right? Just wait till you hear this one in your next pre-marital counseling session.
The Seven Pheras Myth
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The common practice of seven pheras comes from a later development in Hindu tradition. Originally, only four rounds were considered sacred and essential for the couple’s vows. The remaining three pheras? Well, they were added to align the marriage with the greater societal and spiritual framework. In a way, they served to bind the couple not just to one another, but to the community and the world around them. They’re not as intrinsic to the bond between the couple—they're symbolic, almost like an official seal of approval from the universe, so to speak.
Why Four Is All You Need
Here’s the magic. The four pheras are all about balance, commitment, and growth. They don’t overcomplicate the relationship—they lay the foundation, but they leave room for everything else. Life, love, marriage—they’re complex enough without adding extra steps. And maybe that’s the whole point: you don’t need a whole checklist of promises to get things right; you need a few solid, honest commitments to build a life worth living.
Now, don't get me wrong—I'm not saying there’s anything wrong with the seven-pheronized version of a wedding. If anything, it’s a beautiful expansion of a very sacred practice. But there’s something refreshing about the simplicity of four. It’s like the perfect number for a relationship: balanced, focused, and real. Seven? That’s just trying too hard.
The Real Meaning of Pheras
So, what's the takeaway here? Don’t get lost in the numbers. Focus on the meaning. Whether there are four or seven pheras, the essence is the same: a commitment to build something together that transcends the self. And sure, while seven sounds like the perfect number of steps to a happy marriage, the real truth is that it’s not the number of rounds you take but the promises you make and keep along the way.
In the end, it’s not about a checklist; it’s about a shared journey, and what matters is how you walk it. Maybe in life, four steps are all we really need to start—because the best things in life, like love, don’t need to be complicated. They just need to be real.
The 4 Pheras
Indian marriage
Let’s start with the basics. In a traditional Hindu wedding, the couple takes seven rounds (or pheras) around the sacred fire. These rounds symbolize promises—the first four between the bride and groom, and the last three between them and society. But here's the thing: there are only four pheras that matter most—the ones that symbolize the couple’s connection to each other, their vows, and their shared future. Now, you might wonder, "Why are we talking about four pheras when everyone says there are seven?" Well, that’s because those last three? They’re more symbolic of the world and community that the couple is now bound to, and less about the intimate vows that directly impact the couple’s lives. In fact, these three rounds were introduced later, not as a core part of the original wedding practice. Shocking, right? Turns out, we’ve all been making the rounds about rounds. But in all honesty, that’s pretty typical of weddings—traditions layered over the years like frosting on a cake until you're not sure where the original recipe ended and the sugar-high version began.
The First Four
Wedding
So, what are the first four pheras all about? Let's break it down:
1. Dharma (Righteousness)
The couple’s first vow is a pledge to live a righteous life—together. This isn’t about following laws or pretending to have your life together in public (we all know we’re faking it). It’s about a deeper commitment to uphold values like integrity, honesty, and fairness. The core of a lasting partnership? Being on the same moral page. Forget about how much you love each other’s Netflix recommendations—this is the foundation.
2. Artha (Wealth and Prosperity)
We’re talking about more than money here, though. Artha is about creating a prosperous, balanced life—not just financial wealth, but wealth in experiences, wisdom, and opportunities. This vow acknowledges that success is a shared journey. And if you thought this vow was about achieving material success, well, it’s actually about building a life that’s truly rich. Spoiler alert: The only wealth that matters is mutual support and shared ambition.
3. Kama (Love and Passion)
Let’s not pretend we didn’t expect this one. The Kama vow is where the romance comes in. It's the agreement to share love and passion, yes, but not just in the "I’ll take you out for dinner" kind of way. This is about nurturing that spark—the emotional and physical connection that can grow over time. Because we all know that after a few years of marriage, it's not just about the flowers or fancy dinners, it’s about rekindling what makes your heart race in a way only your partner can. And honestly, isn’t that the dream?
4. Moksha (Spiritual Freedom)
The final vow in this sacred quadrangle? Moksha. Freedom. Liberation. This vow is a promise to help each other grow, evolve, and seek liberation in every form—whether it’s emotional, intellectual, or spiritual. It’s the understanding that your partner is not just a person to coexist with; they’re a companion on a path of personal and spiritual growth. It’s not about clinging to each other but rather setting each other free to grow together. Deep, right? Just wait till you hear this one in your next pre-marital counseling session.
The Seven Pheras Myth
Indian wedding
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The common practice of seven pheras comes from a later development in Hindu tradition. Originally, only four rounds were considered sacred and essential for the couple’s vows. The remaining three pheras? Well, they were added to align the marriage with the greater societal and spiritual framework. In a way, they served to bind the couple not just to one another, but to the community and the world around them. They’re not as intrinsic to the bond between the couple—they're symbolic, almost like an official seal of approval from the universe, so to speak.
Why Four Is All You Need
Pheras
Here’s the magic. The four pheras are all about balance, commitment, and growth. They don’t overcomplicate the relationship—they lay the foundation, but they leave room for everything else. Life, love, marriage—they’re complex enough without adding extra steps. And maybe that’s the whole point: you don’t need a whole checklist of promises to get things right; you need a few solid, honest commitments to build a life worth living.
Now, don't get me wrong—I'm not saying there’s anything wrong with the seven-pheronized version of a wedding. If anything, it’s a beautiful expansion of a very sacred practice. But there’s something refreshing about the simplicity of four. It’s like the perfect number for a relationship: balanced, focused, and real. Seven? That’s just trying too hard.
The Real Meaning of Pheras
Marriage
So, what's the takeaway here? Don’t get lost in the numbers. Focus on the meaning. Whether there are four or seven pheras, the essence is the same: a commitment to build something together that transcends the self. And sure, while seven sounds like the perfect number of steps to a happy marriage, the real truth is that it’s not the number of rounds you take but the promises you make and keep along the way.
In the end, it’s not about a checklist; it’s about a shared journey, and what matters is how you walk it. Maybe in life, four steps are all we really need to start—because the best things in life, like love, don’t need to be complicated. They just need to be real.