When groom first time The clasping of hands( panigrahanam) takes place. This is supposed to be for the first time that they hold hands and the groom chants here, ‘ My dear lady! I hold your hands tight till we grow very old, so that we two live together without any separation and with prosperity and progeny. You are verily the gift of Gods unto me for the noble purpose of partnership in life. May Goddess Saraswathi bless you with all auspiciousness and abundance of food. May Agni (fire God) and Vayu (wind God) make you contented with unfailing love towards me.
It is Sapthapadi ( seven steps) which follows that pronounces them man and wife. The man while clasping his bride's right hand and simultaneously places her right toe in seven small steps then raises it on to the grinding stone before going around the Agni. He repeats this action three times saying, “ May the Lord Vishnu follow and guard you at every step for the sake of abundance of food, good health, strength, happy life and performance of auspicious functions in company with me. You have now become my life companion. . We will never get separated. We will never lack in love and affection for each other. We will always think, speak and act in perfect harmony. You are “ Rik” and I am ‘ Sama.” You are mother earth; I am father heaven. You are speech and I am the mind.” The stepping on the grinding stone signifies, “ climb this stone to seek firmness and fortitude against any adversity. May you stand as a rock under testing circumstances. Let not unfriendly people shake you from the determined goal of your life.” When I first heard the meaning of these mantras I was speechless. An Indian male is known for his ego. But here not once does he pray for himself. He always prays for his life partner and promises to cherish and love her.
The following requests are to be recited by the groom to the bride after she takes the seven steps:-
"You who has taken the seven steps with me should become my friend.
We who have taken the seven steps together would live as friends.
I should get your friendship, Oh maid.
Oh maid, I should never get parted from your friendship.
We who have attained each other, should get lustrous health, serenity, peaceful mind, and should enjoy together the food and all other tastes.
We would plan all things that are to be done in future together.
Let us both make our two minds in to one.
Let us enjoy together all the physical and mental pleasures together from now onwards.
Let us do all religious observations together."
Then again the groom tells the bride:-
"You are the Rig Veda and I am the Sama Veda
I am the Sama Veda and you are the Rig Veda (recited twice for emphasis)
Like these two Vedas we should never separate from each other. We also will not get separated.
I am the world Dyu and you are the earth (dyu is the world above. This indicates that she is below him and should obey his wishes).
I am the material called Shukla (semen) and you are the wearer of this in your womb.
I am the mind and you are the word
I am Sama Veda and you are the Rig Veda
I am telling this because I have lot of care for you.
Please bear me children in future,
Hey Maid come with me." The Seven Vows:
1. Groom: You will offer me food and be helpful in every way. I will cherish you and provide for the welfare and happiness of you and our children.
Bride: I am responsible for the home, and take charge of all household responsibilities.
2. Groom: Together we will protect our house and children.
Bride: I will be by your side, and be your courage and strength. I will rejoice in your happiness. In return, you will love me alone.
3. Groom: May we grow wealthy and prosperous, strive for the education of our children. May our children live long.
Bride: I will love only you for the rest of my life, as you are my husband. Every other man in my life will come second to you. I vow to remain chaste.
4. Groom: You have brought sacredness into my life, and have completed me.

May we be blessed with noble,obedient children children. May our children live long.
Bride: I will shower you will happiness, from head to toe. I will strive to please you in every way that I can.
5. Groom: You are my best friend, and staunchest well-wisher. You have come into my life, and have enriched it. God bless you.
Bride: I promise to love and cherish you for as long as I love. Your happiness is my happiness, and your sorrow is my sorrow. I will trust and honour you, and will strive to fulfill all your wishes.
6. Groom: May you be filled with joy and peace.
Bride: I will always be by your side.
7. Groom: We are now husband and wife, and are one. You are mine and I am yours for all time.
Bride: As God is witness, I am now your wife. We will love, honour and cherish each other forever.