3 June 2011

The Institution of Marriage

 MarryChoice.com

Marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationships between two individuals, is sanctioned with governmental, social or religious approval. The act of marriage changes the personal status of individuals in the eyes of those authorities that recognize it, namely the State, religion(s) to which the parties belong and/or by society in general. The civil process sanctifies it in accordance with the marriage laws of the land.
Since family is a basic but important unit constituting the social structure of mankind, marriage upholds this institution. It is one of the most significant events that occur between life and death.

A New Phase

Marriage also marks a distinct phase in life, making the path for progress, prosperity and joy through a spiritual journey and a quest to be one with the Infinite. By all that marriage invests in every married couple through societal recognition, it makes way for procreation and nurturing of future generations and influences the social and cultural growth of society.
This new phase of life brings along experiences that help both the individuals mature through intricacies in the realm of relationships and play a key role in shaping a common future.
Marriage is a serious decision in India, and is taken after careful deliberation and understanding of the partner with respect to compatibility of the couples’ horoscopes, the backgrounds of their families (wealth, social standing) and their castes.
The concept of marriage is an integral part of Indian society in India and retains its sanctity, with often older and wiser parents and elderly family-members planning the marriage of their sons and daughters.

Spiritual Relevance

Marriage prepares you to serves three purposes-Dharma (duty towards family and society), procreation, progeny and performance of holy rites. In Hinduism, the latter has its own importance and marriage facilitates the participation of women in rituals.
Marriage is a union of souls and of minds. It stresses on the spiritual equality of man and woman. It is defined by an everlasting commitment between the couple who are going to start a new relation and a new life with each other.
The Samkhya theory states that Man (Purush) and Woman (Prakriti) are eternal and evolve spiritually.
Motherhood is considered a significant stage, and the virtues of a woman, who bears a child, cares and nurses it, has been extolled by Saint Yajnavalkya as ‘Soma gave woman purification, the Gandharva, sweet speech, Agni, perfection and purity; thereafter, verily, woman is always pure.’

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