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Marriage - image courtesy: Wikipedia

Dear AKR,

The following is a letter which I wrote to a Swamiji who in his website has replied to a query from a devotee whether a person should have life-partner for a life of fulfillment, marriage is not compulsory for a person if he gets a sense of fulfillment by remaining single. I was a bit confused by their reply which, for me was a bit ambiguous. Hence I wrote to him the following letter. Unfortunately, as is my cursed habit, I have forgotten the website. But very soon I will somehow get it and let you know. Also, I am still awaiting response from swamiji's website and will let you know if get it.

Pujya Swamiji,

I seek your gracious permission to make the following statements.

While I am an indefatigable believer of Advaita, it is my conviction that except the few great God-Blessed souls that are born after 'several rebirths just to enlighten ordinary humans and finally attain Moksha (salvation- without rebirth, all other humans born in this 'Maayaa mayamitham Akilam' have to go through several stages of life till they become totally enlightened to get salvation. .

The new born child (I am referring to the boy-baby) after being fostered by his parents, When he becomes a boy of about nine years, he goes to Gurukula after ordainment as a Brahmachari (it is now that he is taught about Om and Gayatri Mantra

After his "Gurukula Vasa' at a very early age, marriage is performed to him. At the time of marriage, before taking the bride's hand the boy goes on a pilgrimage to Kasi (totally different from the "Kasi Yatra" of today).

He travels to Kasi (In olden days, it was pada yatra- by foot). It is during this long travel he learns the facts life. He returns as a full grown lad filled with enough knowledge of worldly life, which gives him confidence to assure the bride's father that he would take care of his future partner as ideal husband. It is only then the wedding ceremony takes place. It is during this 'Grahasthasthrama' (married life) begins. It is during this period the married couple performs the preordained duty of begetting just a child or two for 'vamsavrithi' (heirs for the family)

While the children are growing up the coupe take to 'Vanaprastha' (though the world literally means life in the forest, in reality the husband and wife, though living together take a vow not to beget any more children).

After Vanaprastha the husband takes Sanyasa to attain salvation. This is how 'birth control' was done with divine sanction.

I would not agree with the theory that man just for his fulfillment and satisfaction may continue to remain single.

The eternal "Prakriti's Swabaava' is marrying. The one Brahmam manifested as Parameswara & Parvati, Maha Vishnu and Mahalakshmi, Brahma & Saraswathi to ordinary mortals like us only for the above purpose.

To the realized souls He is Dakshinamuthy and Arthanareeswara.

V.Shrinivas (Seenu)

Adhi Sankara

Children of today are the future Leaders