Blessings are then invoked on the wedding procession, and a wish expressed that the newly-married couple may have many children and enjoy prosperity, long life, and freedom from disease (20-33).
The next two stanzas (34-35), containing some obscure references to the bridal garments, are followed by six others (36-41) pronounced at the wedding rite, which is again brought into connection with the marriage of Sūryā. The bridegroom here thus addresses the bride:—
- I grasp thy hand that I may gain good fortune,
- That thou may'st reach old age with me thy husband.
- Bhaga, Aryaman, Savitṛi, Puraṃdhi,
- The gods have given thee to share my household.
The god of fire is at the same time invoked:—
- To thee, O Agni, first they led
- Bright Sūryā with the bridal throng:
- So in thy turn to husbands give
- A wife along with progeny.
The concluding verses (42-47) are benedictions pronounced on the newly-wedded couple after the bride has arrived at her future home:—
- Here abide; be not divided;
- Complete life's whole allotted span,
- Playing with your sons and grandsons,
- Rejoicing in your own abode.
The last stanza of all is spoken by the bridegroom:—
- May all the gods us two unite,
- May Waters now our hearts entwine;
- May Mātariçvan and Dhātri,
- May Deshṭrī us together join.
There are five hymns, all in the last book (x. 14-18), which are more or less concerned with funeral rites.
