A stranger’s hand clutched in mine, I walked the Saptapadi.
Apprehensive of what the future held, head bowed like Draupadi.
I walked around the yajna, as Hindu custom mandated.
It was my wedding, so today; I was bound to another as was fated.
My father had done the Kanyadaan, to give his precious daughter away.
To bind her to a man suitable, in a choice in which I had no say.
So in the sacred presence of Agni Dev, I accepted this man as mine,
And around the ritual fire we walked, the Saptapadi, one step at a time.
Image – Avinash Uppuluri via unsplash