Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the evening on Sri Rama Navami after the Seeta Rama Kalyanam – March 30, 2004 – Trinidad
The ancient humanistic society in India is a well-regulated and orderly one. It was not at all primitive. There was maturity in culture and it definitely imparted sanctity to the institution of marriage. This was based on mutual respect and timeliness. It brings about the vision of RAMA RAAJYA – an ideal welfare state.
In terms of the scriptural reference, Ramayana comes foremost; Bhagavata, Maha Bharata and Puranas too can be referred. They all convey that there are four stages of man and he has to play his role according to that state of existence. In the Mantras that are chanted in the marriage ceremony which are in Sanskrit, the main emphasis is on connecting Mano Buddhi – Mind and intellect and harmonizing the feelings between the partners. Compatibility at all levels had been said in order to maintain consistency. Seeta Rama Kalyana (symbolic marriage between Seeta and Rama) as a ceremony symbolizes that kind of a divine harmony based on respect and harmony.
Check the names for example. Lakshmi Narayana, Seeta Rama, Radha Krishna, Parvati Parameshvara, Para Brahma etc. The basis of all creation is primordial force which is female in nature (Goddess energy) and she gave a boon to Ishvara and a boon to Brahma and Vishnu. According to that boon, Saraswati is manifested in the tongue, through which Vedas come out. Vishnu seats that primordial female energy in his heart. Ishvara keeps her on his crown as Parvati, Ganga. Half female half male form represents the symbiosis of male female nature to its perfection. The primordial energy states that it is going to bestow female nature so that the demonic world gets enchanted by the power because that is her energy. At the same time, she assures security, immense love and affection for the creation (Adya Shakti). It has flown out in the form of a command. Brahma Vishnu Shiva trinity are ruled primarily by their energies, which is female in nature and all knowledge that flows is from that female energy.
Ashramas such as BRAHMACHARYA, GRIHASTHA, VANAPRASTHA or SANNYASI are stages of maturity and acceptance of responsibility to dispense social duties. Brahmacharya urges to be a student always. Be a learner and have knowledge of scriptures and practice them and continue till end of life. But if due to circumstances, for the purposes of serving community or to do service in any other way, he can get in to GRIHASTHA ASHRAMA where two hands are joined by two more hands to perform social duties. Not only it is based on love and compatibility, but is a holy sacrament. So, married life entails or embodies duties towards progeny from which you are not supposed to escape.
Good friendship is the essence of the marriage. But in this Kali Yuga, when we talk about male female obligations, conflict often comes and it leads to crisis situation. But do not forget that God has given human life as a gift to progress in material and spiritual levels. Why should you divorce? Good or bad or struggle, you have to work it out together. No problem. Treat it as a part of Karma and not jump over to another marriage. When you have uncontrolled desire full nature, even if Rama takes an incarnation, he will not be able to help you. Even though marriages are made in heaven, it has to be worked out on earth, based on friendship and understanding. Don’t ever complicate this idea. Inferiority or superiority ideas arose because of egocentric nature. It is not good.
Then comes Vaana Prastha Ashrama. Lets say after 50 years, you should not be lustful. What is the idea of begetting children after 50? They will not be healthy. You have to look at your body pains, heart, kidneys and mind. These put a stop to the lustful nature. You have to be friendly with your wife and do the family duties. That is the preparatory stage for VAIRAGYA (detachment). Slowly get away from the bonds, which we created. That means we have to meditate, we have to be influenced by spiritual activities. Involve in community services. Whether you have devotion or no devotion, faith or no faith, – it does not matter. You have to save yourself.
Read good books. Don’t be empty minded harping on the past future. Eating excessively. Excessive sexual urges, conflicting mind, being in reddish eye (anger) – all these are results of immoderation. In Sanskrit it is called BHRASHTATVA. When goals are not set properly, life appears sordid and it is a waste of time. But you can refer to the stories of great sages and saints. They were goal oriented and they had sacrificial mind. Their social outlook was very good. They never wasted their mind.
The Arishadvarga or six vices have to be kept under control. This is required from health point also. I always remember Amritsar in Punjab. Everyone – big or small bow down with their families at the Guru Dwara. Even Buddhism and other religions speak of moderation and discipline. Coming down to the Sanyasa – here Vairagya or detachment from the life is required. A Grihastha should not run away to the Himalayas neglecting his duties. Swamiji believes that 99% of the misunderstanding in families and relationships are self-created. Female gets over educated and she talks about her rights and obligations on par with her husband. I am upset about this situation. Please think deeply. Do you want your family a happy home? An Ananda Nilaya? Happy children? No quarrelling husband and wife? Then, you alone are responsible for the creation of that situation. The goal is to lead a happy married life. In today’s divine SEETA RAMA KALYANA, that was just performed, Atma is Rama, Buddhi is Seeta and Hanuman is Prana. According to Yoga, Hanuman’s power i.e. breath power creates mental strength in order to have powerful determination. It requires you to meditate for half hour, sing Bhajans, practice quietness. According to Adhyatma Ramayana, the whole human body is the forest. The nerves represent the rivers and streams. Rama is the soul. Seeta is the intellectual power. Breath is Hanuman. The temple is the body. The more you get inward, Ganapati, Shiva, they all become alive. You have to find the truth in this lifetime itself through understanding and patience.
Jaya Guru Datta – Bye Bye.