The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c21.24

v1.c21.24

The Sūtras, while they do not recognise the sects of later days, yet point to the different conception of deity embodied in the two great modern sects worshipping Rudra-Çiva and Vishṇu. Thus, as above, Rudra and the Rakshasas are also associated in the rule: ‘When one repeats a text sacred to Rudra, to the Rakshasas, to the Manes, to the Asuras, or one that contains an imprecation, one shall touch water’ (Çāṅkh., *G.S.*, I, 10, 9). On the other hand, when the bridegroom leads the bride to take the seven steps, which form part of the wedding ceremony, he murmurs a blessing at every step: ‘One for sap, two for juice, three for prosperity, four for comfort, five for cattle, six for the seasons, Friend! be with seven steps (mine); be thou devoted to me.’ And after each clause he says ‘may Vishṇu lead thee.’ Similarly, the fact that Vaiçravaṇa (Kubera) and Īçāna (Rudra-Çiva) are worshipped ‘for the bridegroom’ point to the phallic nature of these cognate spirits (Pār., *G.S.*, I, 8, 2; Çāṅkh., *G.S.*, I, 11, 7).