The Marvel of Marriage

There are so many memes, jokes, comedy shows on life after marriage. Statistics* report only 50 to 60% of married people are happy. If so…

What is the need to marry?

Is it to share life with a loved one?
One need not marry to spend time with a loved one. There are live-in relationships in the western world for such instance.

Is it to have children?
One need not marry to have children. An interested couple can either adopt or have a child of their own without being married.

What is the purpose of marriage?

The purpose of marriage cannot and must not deviate from your life’s ultimate goal. It has to support and enable you from achieving your life’s ultimate goal. Life’s ultimate goal can be attained through practicing one’s own dharma through this human body.

Therefore, the purpose of marriage is:

• To have a companion who can walk in the path to learn, realize and practise dharma as prescribed in sa:sthra (vedas)

• To take part in the making of next-generation who can practise the same dharma and carry it forward

Marriage-purpose

This twofold purpose is not only beneficial to the partners and the kin, but also to the entire world.

What is the basis for this?

Sri Ramachandra loved Sitha not because she was beautiful, but because her father approved Rama to be the one who is suitable for her to practise Her dharma. Same is the case with mother Sitha.

dha:ra:ha pithrukrutha:

Their love took birth by the blessings of the Elders. It blossomed further with each other’s qualities, not merely physical appearance.

Why can’t I pick my partner and raise children the way I like?

While no-one can stop anyone from doing what one likes, it’s always beneficial for you to understand the most recommended and best possible way to lead life according to Elders and Vedas. When partners lead their life for a higher purpose, all other elements of the marriage such as enjoying togetherness, etc will automatically become a beautiful part of their life.

When it comes to bringing up children – even a cat, monkey, or a dog bring up their young ones better than human beings are able to these days. Why?

A cat teaches its kitten exactly how to jump up a wall and/or get into the kitchen, look for the right food, reject unhealthy food, protect itself in the same exact way from the time the species existed. The same is the case for every animal. They don’t have anything else to pass on to their offspring other than ways to earn food and staying away from predators.

A human body, unlike other animal bodies, is capable of doing more than just satiate senses and take care of the body. What more can it do?

Human beings must practise and pass on dharma which includes and is not limited to the way one must speak, the manners one must inculcate, the values and ethics to follow, the family system to respect and practise, the supporting culture, the traditions that enable putting wisdom into practise, the recommended foods that aid in keeping us sa:thvic, the means of attaining purpose of life from Upanishads.

Get married, share love, practise dharma, teach it to your children, reap its benefits, live to your fullest potential, play your part in keeping the society at peace and dharmic, and thus become responsible human beings…