This subject has cropped a number of times in our Forum. But couldn't find a reason for the change in attitude among the new generation of youngsters especially born abroad.
Let us ponder a little, why this happens.
Here's verse from "Hithopadesa" that explains in simple words.
आहार-निद्रा-भय-मैथुनं च समानमेतत्पशुभिर्नराणाम् ।
धर्मो हि तेषामधिको विशेषो धर्मेण हीनाः पशुभिः समानाः ॥
Eating, sleeping, fear, and mating, —these four principles are common to both human beings and animals. The distinction between human life and animal life is "Dharma"(here we can take as discrimination).
Urge to multiply its species is inborn. If we look around we will find all living organisms from single cell amoeba to humans have this urge. Even trees, insects, animals etc.all born in this universe have this urge. At the time of puberty nothing can stop this urge by any means.
In Mahabharata the person who took a vow to forsake this urge was called "Bhishma" meaning "fierce".
All our activities centred around this urge for production and preservation of the species only.
Human species as they progressed generation after generation regularised this in various ways as per their requirements. Religious Codes of ethics are outcome of these. The Vedic society went for further refinement in codifying groups called Gothra and fixed rules for Anuloma and prathiloma
Marriages. Even Girls were gifted before their age of maturity.
Since they lived in the agrarian society without economic independence, they have no problem in following it.
Now look at the changes in our life. We have shifted our families from our roots mostly to new continents. Only for the sake of comfortable living. But the loss cannot be recovered.
It is my view the girls have every right to select their partner in life and lead their life. The partner may belong to Asian, Chinese, coloured or as in this case Caucasian race.
In view of the economic freedom and education the present day girls enjoy,
parents could only guide and do nothing more.
Perhaps a time may come to change the cycle of marriage alliance.
I wish the members of the forum give a fresh look at the issue and give their valued opinion.
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.
