Phrases of Benediction or Blessing in Sanskrit; From Kaldiasa

Of the seven core Vedic rituals that constitute a Hindu wedding, the most important is paaNigrahaNam or the taking of the bride's hand in marriage. Manu, the lawgiver, emphasizes the central role of the  paaNigrahaNam  in the Hindu wedding in the Manu Smriti

पाणिग्र्हणिका  मन्त्रा नियतं दारलक्षणम् | तेषां  निष्ठा तु  विज्ञेया विद्वद्भि: सप्तमे पदे ||

The taking of the hand is undoubtedly the mark of wifehood, the culmination ( of the wedding ceremonies) is understood by the learned in the seventh step.

This underscores the central nature of the taking of the hand and the seven steps to the Hindu wedding ceremonies.  So much so that the husband is referred to as the पाणिगृहितृ  (pANigrahItRu) or the taker of the hand.

Notably, these two are among the seven elements of the wedding ceremony which are described by all the ancient authorities. Notably, saptapadi is different from the circumambulation of the fire, also referred to as the saat phere or seven circumambulations.

The unique feature of the taking of the hand is that the husband takes the wife's whole hand, including the thumb. अथो वध्वाः दक्षिणहस्तं साङ्गुष्ठं वरो गृह्णाति | Now the groom takes the bride's hand along with the thumb.