Laava

The laava (singular laav) are the four Shabads (sacred hymns) of the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony). They form the central part of the marriage ceremony. The "four rounds" ("char phaara") as they are sometimes called form central part of this auspicious occasion. The four Shabads are from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures and appear on pages 773 to 774 of the total of 1430 page of the holy Granth.
Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru tells us on page 788 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib about the meaning of marriage to a Sikh couple – Effectively, the Guru defines a Sikh marriage in these 2 lines: "They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies." Thus the partnership of marriage is given a special meaning - a new dimension. For a union of marriage to be successful, the two personalities have to merge into one – a spiritual bonding through understanding and love. 
The Guru through the four laava give the Sikh couple further spiritual guidance for their life together. The Guru tell the Sikhs of the four golden rules of married life. These rules start very clearly to define the path to be treaded together in this sacred union. The Shabads inform us how the couple as a team have to first begin by following the path of righteousness and sinless-ness. The primary golden rule of "blissful union" is to be truthful and sinless in our conduct first to each other and then to others. The rest of the Laav then tells us how one can be truthful and keep away from falsehood. You can only tread the path of Dharm and righteousness if you remember God through His Name or Naam – Recite His name and you will keep to the straight and narrow and temptation will diminish.
In the second round, the Guru tells us to remove egotism (Humai) from within our minds. Remove the "I" from your mind and concentrate on "we" and "us". Then with fear of the Lord, remember Him and sing His praises. If you do this together, then the sound of God ("anhad shabad") will reverberate within the both of you in resonance. In the third round, the Guru tell us that your minds will be filled with divine love and in the company of the holy congregation Sangat, your destiny will be revealed before you. Finally, as Gurmukhs, the couple will find divine peace and you will have arrived to your final destination, with the Lord; He will dominate your mind and your domain; Naam with flow in your heart; you will have realised your destiny and obtain the ultimate "union of bliss" – absolute Anand; you will "have found the Eternal Lord God".
==The Four Rounds==
The main part of the Anand Karaj (Sikh Marriage Ceremony) 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 are making a commitment to God with the Guru and the Sangat as their 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 leadership and understanding that you require for your soul's long journey across this 'world ocean'. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the spiritual center and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly (temporal) witness and support. The Guru is your support within and the Sangat your support outside.
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:
== Summary ==
=== Summary First Round ===
* commit to righteousness. Always be Truthful and tread the path of Dharma
* renounce sinful actions. Never consider treading on the path of falsehood and deception.
* Remember, mediate and embrace God and recite His Naam.
* Only by good fortune, is real peace obtained and Lord seems sweet to the mind.
* Worship the one Waheguru and all your sins will vanish.
* With these principles on board, together you begin the first stage of marriage.
=== Summary Second Round ===
In the second round, the Guru asks the partners to advance further towards meeting the True Guru - God, the spiritual destiny of all humans:
* The Guru leads you to meet the True Guru, the Primal Being - the enlightener
* Only have fear of fearless God and no one else, live in hukam;
* And thus all the filth of your own ego will disappear from your mind.
* with humility before the Lord, Sing His praises and feel His presence within you both.
* Perpetual bliss will gather and you will feel on top of the world; 
* You will see God everywhere, deep within you and outside; always sing of Him in joy;
* In the second round, the divine music (Anhad-Shabad) will resound.
=== Summary Third Round ===
In the third round, the Guru says that the partner's minds are filled with "Divine Love":
* There is great anticipation and expectation in the minds of these cosmic travellers;
* in the company of saintly people this mind is calmed down and settled. 
* meeting the Sadh Sangat (Holy Congregation), which is only obtained by good fortune; 
* Sahaj path is found. The Guru instructs that- Together speak the Word of the Lord's holy bani, 
* Recite Gurbani and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. The Naam will vibrates and resounds within your hearts;
* In this state of bliss your unique destiny will be realized as inscribed "upon your foreheads". 
* and knowing your future destiny; divine love will be awakened within you.
=== Summary Fourth Round ===
In the final round, the Guru says that following these instructions, the partner's minds become peaceful and they will have found the Lord:
* The Lord is found and calmness (sahaj) engulf your minds; deep peace dwells within.
* God's Will seems sweet to these Gurmukhs - they will be perfectly happy and satisfied with their lives. 
* You will lovingly focus your consciousness on the Lord, day and night
* All your desires will be fulfilled; all your mind's desires will have born fruits - complete contentment will be achieved. 
* The Souls together will blend together and experience Waheguru and only the true Naam will occupy their hearts and minds.
==The Laava==
===First Laav ===
===Second Laav ===
===Third Laav ===
===Fourth and Final Laav ===
==Other Wedding Shabads ==
===Keethaa lorreeai kam===
Keethaa lorreeai kam so har pehi aakheeai - This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Siree Raag:
===palai thaiddai laagee===
This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Raamkalee: palai thaiddai laagee
===Veeah hoa maare babula===
This Shabad is by Guru Raam Daas Ji in Siree Raag: Veeaahu hoaa maerae baabulaa
===puree asa ji mansa===
This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Vadhans: pooree aasaa jee manasaa
==See Also==
* Anand Karaj 
* Attending a Sikh Wedding
* Sikh Ceremonies
* Visiting a Gurdwara
==External link==
*Anand Kaaraj
* Video of Sikh Wedding
Category:Sikhism
Category:Glossary of Sikh Terms
Category:Sikh practice
Category:Poetry In SGGS