The Laava, or four stanzas, are read and then sung during the ceremony to formalize marriage. The Sikh religious wedding ceremony, which almost always takes place in a Gurdwara is held in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. This arrangement offers a way to bring family support into the lives of the couple if they require it. Guru Ram Das, the third Guru of the Sikhs has given, in the four rounds or Laava, a formula for a successful marriage. These four Shabads, describe the sacred journey of the soul through this world to the final destination, the merging with the infinite. If one follows this sacred path and applies it properly to institution of marriage, it should results in happiness and fulfilment, i.e. Anand (Bliss).The main part of the Anand Karaj is the reading and then the singing of each laav in turn. When the Laav is sung, the couple as a pair joint by a piece of cloth circle the SGGS. This has relevance to the occasion and should not be considered a ritual without meaning. When the couple circle the SGGS each time they making a commitment to God with the Guru as spiritual witness and support. And as one circles the Sri Guru Granth Sahib you are reminded that the Guru should be the center of your life, from which springs your spiritual guidance and understanding that you require for your souls long journey across this world ocean. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the center and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly witness and support.
The four nuptial rounds were written by Guru Ram Das for his own wedding. They explain the journey of the souls toward the Almighty. In them he tells us of the duties that a person undertaking a life of marriage should perform. In the first round, the Guru asks the partners to:
Commit to righteousness
Renounce sinful actions
Remember, mediate and embrace Naam
Only by good fortune, is real peace obtained
Worship the one Waheguru and all your sins will vanish
In the second round, the Guru asks the partners to advance further towards meeting the True Guru - God:
Have fear of God and your ego will disappear
Sing God's praises and feel His presence
God is everywhere, outside and within, sing in Joy
In the third round, the Guru says that the partners mind is filled with "Divine Love":
Meeting the Sadh Sangat (Holy Congregation)
which is only obtained by good fortune
Recite Gurbani and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord
The [[Naam] will vibrates and resounds within your heart
and you will know your future destiny.
In the final round, the Guru says that the partners mind become peaceful and they will have found the Lord:
God's Will seems sweet to these Gurmukhs.
You will lovingly focus your consciousness on the Lord, day and night
All your desires will be fulfilled
The Souls will blend with Waheguru and only Naam will occupy your heart.
