Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant got married a few days back in a lavish ceremony amid luminaries from around the world. Staying true to customs and traditions, the wedding was held keeping all rituals in mind and with the blessing of the devis-devatas, and priests. the ceremony spanned three days comprising Shubh Vivah, Shubh Aashirwad and a Mangal Utsav ceremony. Among all the rituals at a Hindu wedding, the 'Kanyadaan' ceremony is one of the most emotional rituals for the bride and her family.
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NITA AMBANI EXPLAINS SIGNIFICANCE OF KANYADAAN:
Before Radhika Merchant's 'Kanyadaan' ceremony, Nita Ambani took to the stage and explained the broader significance of Kanyadaan as a union where two families come together, one gaining a son and the other a daughter. Speaking just before the Kanyadaan ceremony during Anant and Radhika's wedding, Mrs Ambani underscores the importance of daughters in Hindu culture and highlights the strongly self-reforming nature of Hindu philosophy, which has enabled women to be adored and respected through time.
Greeting all her guests, Nita Ambani said, "Dearest family, friends and distinguished guests from India and all around the world, Jai Shri Krishna. Namaskar and thank you for joining us in this sacred ceremony. At this moment, I'm overwhelmed with emotions, joy, gratitude and deep devotion as I watch these two pieces of my heart, Anant and Radhika, unite in this eternal bond."
Talking about marriage in Hindu tradition, she said, "Marriage is a solemn promise, not just for this lifetime, but for seven lifetimes. Saath janam ka saath. It's a belief that souls destined to find each other, do so again and again, their love deepening with each lifetime."
"As we continue with the wedding ceremony, we are about to witness the noblest of all acts in Indian culture, the 'Kanyadaan', commonly signifying the giving away of the bride by her parents. But as a daughter myself, as the mother of a daughter and also a mother-in-law, I know that no parents can ever give away their daughters. Daughters are life's biggest blessings and greatest joys," she added.
VALUE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF DAUGHTERS IN A FAMILY:
Speaking about the value and significance daughters hold in a family, Nita Ambani said, "They are manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi, bringing abundance and auspiciousness to our homes and lives from the time they are born. They are the purest part of our souls, intertwined with our very being. How does one part with the peace of the heart? The affection, joy and memories a daughter or Kanya has shared with a family over the years cannot be handed over. They are theirs forever. A daughter is not a possession to be transferred. She's a blessing to be cherished and treasured. She's a source of happiness, love and light that will now also share with a new family."
"India's spiritual and cultural traditions hold women in the highest esteem. Our scriptures teach us, where there are daughters, there is auspiciousness. Daughters have a higher God-given power. An Indian wedding rests on the foundation of perfect equality between var and kanya, i.e. between groom and bride, and also between their two families. Hence, the true cultural significance of Kanyadaan is that the bride's parents accept the groom as their son and entrust his family with their precious daughter," she added.
NITA AMBANI'S MESSAGE TO SHAILA AND VIREN MERCHANT:
Speaking to Radhika's parents Shaila and Viren Merchant, Nita Ambani continued, "My dearest Shaila and Viren, today, you are not giving away your daughter to us, rather, you are gaining a son and a new family. Our dearest Anant now belongs as much to you as your dearest Radhika belongs to us. Mukesh and I promise you that Radhika will always be protected as our daughter, cherished as Anant's soulmate, loved as Isha, Anand, Shloka and Akash's sister and adored as the most doting kaki and mami to Prithvi, Adhya, Krishna and Veda."
"My dearest Radhika, with open hearts and lots of love, we welcome you as the youngest bahu of our family, as Mrs. Radhika Anant Ambani. May our devis and devatas shower you and Anant with all the love, laughter and happiness in the world. May our path together be blessed always and forever," she added.