Importance of marriage in Hinduism

[JR]

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Hinduism defines 3 types of rinas - devo rina (debt to god), guru rina (debt to one's rishis/guru) and pitri rina (debt to one's ancestors). We can pay off the Guru rina by learning scriptures and passing the knowledge along. However for devo rina and pitri rina, one needs to be married so that a man becomes eligible for conducting yagnas and offerings to gods and for conducting tarpanas (rituals) towards one's deceased forefathers.

But what will happen to those who choose to remain unmarried? Are they going to be sinning, earning pitri rina and devo rina for no mistake of mine? And what about those who do not get children? Will they rot in pitru-loka along with their ancestors without anyone to offer them food?

What is the means of salvation for such groups of people in Hinduism - the unmarried and the childless?

 

[prasad1]

Now you have raised a troubling aspect of a social custom as a religious topic. In the modern world (looking from USA), what is marriage? How do you define marriage?
What about civil union, or live-in relation, then LGBT community? If people do not think they can be good partner or parent why should they be subjected to this guilt?
I think it would be interesting thread, but I am afraid it will be biased, and not balanced.

 

[JR]

Now you have raised a troubling aspect of a social custom as a religious topic. In the modern world (looking from USA), what is marriage? How do you define marriage?
What about civil union, or live-in relation, then LGBT community? If people do not think they can be good partner or parent why should they be subjected to this guilt?
I think it would be interesting thread, but I am afraid it will be biased, and not balanced.

I think LGBT is supposedly a taboo according to Hinduism. Somewhere I read that the Cosmic purusha's 'prishtam' (or behind portion) is from where such people emerge... so obviously according to Hinduism they are all 'sinners' for choosing this lifestyle.

and you have precisely narrated the problem. IN the modern world, even many devout people choose to remain unmarried for some reasons, they should definitely have a way out right?

I'm curious to know if shastras grant such a way out for such souls.

 

[biswa]

I don't get it. Were most ancient rishis married? Parashurama was not married for all I know.

 

[renuka]

Dear JR,

I feel the debt theory is just concocted to make a functioning society and for economic continuation of rituals.

I would not take it seriously.

 

[renuka]

This whole debt theory is so dualistic.

Why are Devas or Pitrs expecting something in return?

Dont at least the Devas know that "one is entitled to action but not the fruits of it?"

If a Deva is expecting some returns that means a Deva is still desire ridden.

Why should one pray to one who is no better than ourselves?

Does not make sense.

Everyone should do their duties right and stop there.

With such debt theories no wonder corruption is rampant in India..one has to rob Peter to pay Paul!LOL

 

[biswa]

This theory is too human centric. Do animals also have rina to devas?

 

[krish44]

The topic does not carry much sense in modern context

no one owes anybody anything .

one should live life meeting ones needs and returning some services to others who have in case aided our living in the past and made us what we are to day.

nothing more than this IMHO

 

[renuka]

This theory is too human centric. Do animals also have rina to devas?

Great question!

That means Devas give rain and grain to animals for free and expect us humans to glorify them and owe them!

Bunch of corrupted Devas!LOL