Amma Anasuya Devi/Relationships: Part 4

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Continued from Part 3:

 

"What then is the higher purpose of marriage to which Mother had

referred? Mother's views are evident from what she aays and does.

Several devotees consider it auspicious to celebrate their marriages

in the presence of Mother (the living manifestation of Divinity)

rather than in the presence of an idol in a temple. On such

occasions, Mother never remains a passive witness of the

celebrations. She participates actively in the ceremonial and in

most cases conducts the whole function herself in a way that brings

out the real significance of the various aspects of the ritual and

points at the ulterior purpose of marriage in human life.

 

That was on l-6-l963. When the marriage party arrived at l0 o'clock

in the night, the priest was said to have left the village owing to

their delayed arrival. As music was being played to the

accomplaniment of the 'nama sunkirtan', by all the devotees present,

Mother finished her bath and came out dressed for the occasion. She

got up from her chair and played the part of the priest more

perfectly than does the priest himself. She made them go through the

whole ritual in detail and when everything was over including the

tying of the sacred thread around the neck of the bride by the

bridegroom, She made them worship one another; finally she made the

girl bow and touch the boy' feet. Before they dispersed, Mother

reminded the boy that he too had performed 'puja' to his bride.

Herein is indicated the ulterior significance of marriage in human

life as the means of attaining Perfection. They are the visible

manifestations of the Self which is One. Recognising their ultimate

unity in Godhead ie. recognising one, another as the manifestation of

God and serve one another as such is the final object. For, this

establishes harmony in the mundane sense while leading towards Self-

Realisation. This, she said, is the real purpose of the ideals

of 'Pativratya' (absolute devotion to the husband)

and 'Ekapatnivrata' (Perfect devotion to the wife in monogamy).

These are symbolised by the thread and the golden pieces respectively

in the wedlock which symbolises 'Ardhanariswara'. The triple knot of

the sacred thread symbolises the fact that they are unified in the

triple knowtwhich is Creation oe. the Triputi. The more orthodox

among shcolars might be shocked at the idea of the brdegroom

worshipping the bride. But did not sage Yagnaya Valkya say in "The

Brihadaranyakopanishad" that the "The husband loves the wife not

because he loves the wife but for the self?"

 

Continued..