Agreement = Bliss, Conflict = Suffering

 



The joy of family life entirely depends on harmonious relationship between husband and wife. This relationship is a very delicate relationship and any discord in this relationship causes great suffering for family members. It is not easy for two individuals raised in different families with different thoughts to come under one roof and live entire life together. There is a huge difference between “living” together and “staying” together. Lot of sacrifices and great level of understanding is needed on both sides to “live” together. The earlier they come to an agreement on the goals of life the earlier they start “living” together and the easier it is for them to unite quickly and not only enjoy all pleasures of family life but also work towards the higher goals of life. The longer duration they live with difference of opinions the longer duration they suffer and the longer they are deprived of the opportunity to pursue higher goals of life.

The important higher goal of human life is to gain knowledge and pass it on to next generation. The “real” knowledge is not the vocational knowledge which is needed for earning money. That is a basic knowledge that everybody has to acquire anyway so that they can maintain family. But feeding family is not the only goal of human life. Even animals feed their family. The real goal of human life is to first use intellect to understand the purpose of human birth and then work towards that purpose.
 

The essence of education is humbleness in character. And the essence of humbleness is service to the elders and teachers.

 
They say that real knowledge that helps to understand purpose of life can be acquired only by service to the elders and teachers. All spiritual exercises are meant to prepare oneself for serving elders and receive their blessings. The blessings that one receives by serving elders go a long way in living up to the purpose of human birth. There is no need for the people who serve elders to go outside of home to acquire the knowledge. Just by serving elders in home they can acquire the great knowledge. The knowledge that one acquires through serving elders cannot be acquired or passed on through books or words. It has to be acquired and passed on through action or through example. If husband and wife do not agree on this goal, how can they acquire the real knowledge and then how can they set an example for their children to acquire such knowledge.

This is where accordance is needed between husband and wife so that they can teach their children to gain the “real” knowledge through example. The accordance can be achieved by conversing on “what is right” rather than arguing on “who is right”. And this is where the Guru helps. Guru can help bring an everlasting agreement between husband and wife and set them on the path of pursuing higher goals of life. However, both husband and wife have to have equal faith in Guru and his instructions.

They say chanting the name of god is simplest spiritual exercise that helps bring agreement in husband and wife. One need not go far to see an example of such a couple. Father and mother of this universe is the classic example of this.

 

 

Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati live in unison forever, with no conflict whatsoever, because they incessantly chant the divine name of Rama. What could be better example of harmonious couple than this?