Thus spoken to, Narada said to him these words in reply "The husband's heart, his speech, the giver's consent, the speeches of both of them, the actual gift made with the sprinkling of water. The mantras specified for holding the bride's hands, these have been said to be the indications by which one becomes know as the husband of a damsel. But these Ceremonials are not sufficient, the essential one being the walk for seven paces after the marriage.
एवमुक्तो नारदस्तं प्रत्युवाचोत्तरं वचः। मनोवाग्बुद्धिसम्भाषा दत्ता चोदकपूर्वकम्॥ पाणिग्रहणमन्त्राश्च प्रथितं वरलक्षणम्। न त्वेषा निश्चिता निष्ठा निष्ठा सप्तपदी स्मृता॥