Miley Cyrus has shown interest in Hinduism.
She is not the only one! Pretty woman Julia Roberts, Hugh Jackman and many other Hollywood celebs in recent years found themselves on the path of Dharma known as Hinduism which they felt helped them grow spiritually.
Miley Cyrus is a curious case though; considered a wild child and known for being provocative she is the kind of ‘Hindu’ (if she has become one) who would truly make the 1 billion strong community look at with curiosity, caution and also admiration.
As the rumours suggest Miley Cyrus may wed her boyfriend Liam Hemsworth this summer in a Hindu wedding.
Welcoming the reported interest of Hollywood star Miley Cyrus to have a Hindu wedding in summer in Himalayas, Hindu leader Rajan Zed took out time to explain that the aim of marriage in Hinduism is a “spiritual union” and not just “physical union”.
In a statement made in Nevada today, he said that the Hindus were pleased to see Miley’s interest in Hinduism, and added that marriage (known in Sanskrit as vivaha) was a highly important samskar (sacrament) and one of the highest duties in Hinduism, which was binding in this life and the life thereafter.
Zed, also said that ancient vivaha had its roots in Rig-Veda, the oldest existing scripture of the mankind, which had indicated that spirituality was the chief purpose of the marriage.
Moreover, marriage would mark the transition to maturity for Miley and her boyfriend, Australian actor Liam Hemsworth.
These pictures are from the pooja ceremony that the American singer conducted just a while ago leading to speculations that Miley Cyrus may have adopted Hindu dharma:
Rajan Zed suggested Miley Cyrus to read some Hindu scriptures like Bhagavad-Gita and learn Sanskrit (as most part of the Hindu wedding ceremony is conducted in Sanskrit), to really internalize the spirit of the ceremony.
Hindu leader explains marriage rituals for the wedding of Miley Cyrus:
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth worked together in the movie “The Last Song” and while working together they got engaged. The couple had hit a rocky patch some time back but now they are closer than ever and wish to embark as a couple. Miley’s interest in Hinduism is the reason why the couple may end up going for a Hindu wedding.
Miley Cyrus and all others interested in Hindu wedding must know these:
Zed indicated that in a traditional vivaha, mantras (seeking the presence of deities at the ceremony) were chanted, involving worshipping of—Aditi, Agni, Brahma, Ganesha, Indra, Lakshmi, Maruts, Navagrahas, Rudra, Saraswati, Shiva, Surya, Varuna, Vishnu, etc.; and included urging the present deities to unite hearts of the couple (Miley & Liam) like two rivers merging into each other. Mantras also asked for making the couple free from the sins, their mastery over senses and mind, banishment of their sufferings, peace, etc.
Rajan Zed further said that Miley Cyrus also would be reciting some mantras, including asking for the long life of Liam and love between the couple from God Agni (fire). Liam, in his mantra, holding the right hand of the Miley, would be asking among other things, for irrevocable relationship between husband-wife. Another mantra by Liam would urge Miley to live with him for hundred years and give him offspring, as producing offspring was considered one of the duties of the married couple.
Zed listed other usually held rituals (all of which have definite meanings) at the actual traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, which might last few hours, as including: saptapadi (taking seven steps in the presence of sacred live fire), kanyadaan (with wife sitting next to him, bride’s father Billy Ray Cyrus gives-away the bride (his daughter, Miley Cyrus) by placing her right hand over the hand of the groom’s), pani-grahan (groom grasping bride’s right hand with his right hand), circumambulation around fire, bride placing her right foot on a millstone, giving-away of a cow by bride’s father to the groom, bride’s brothers offering puffed rice to the bride, groom filling the bride’s parting line in the hair with vermillion, tying of the ends of the nuptial garments of the couple together, sprinkling of the holy water on the couple’s heads, havan (fire-sacrifice), ahutis (oblations) to various deities, etc. In kanyadaan, father of the bride transferred the responsibility of the daughter to the groom.
Various materials required for the ceremony included: vermillion powder, coconut, turmeric, betel-nut, laddu (ball like Indian sweetmeat), cow, honey, curd, cow-dung, conch, ghee (clarified butter), Lord Ganesha statue, mangalsutra (sacred thread), etc. Mandap (pavilion) for vivaha had to be according to some specifications and bride sat on the right side of the groom during marriage ceremony, Rajan Zed added.
But Miley Cyrus should know that Hindu marriage with Liam would be good for her! Why?
Because as per nonpartisan fact tank Pew Research Center, Hindus had the highest marriage rate and lowest divorce rate than any other religious group in USA. Moreover, the “spiritual union” we stressed in Hinduism, had more permanency as compared to just physical union, Zed stated.
