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IdealofMarriedLife

IdealofMarriedLife
Publishedby
THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY
P.O.Shivanandanagar249192
Distt.TehriGarhwal,UttarPradesh,
Himalayas,India.
WorldWideWeb(WWW)Edition:2001
WWWsite:http://www.dlshq.org/
ThisWWWreprintisforfreedistribution

Contents
Ifyouwanttobereallyhappy.........FOLLOWAHIMSA
MessagetoNewlyWedCouple
SthreeDharma
Women
AdvicetoHouseholders
SanctityofWomanhood
DomesticEthics
AMessagetoYou
SureWaysForSuccessInLife
TheSanctityofMarriage
ASpiritualDailyRoutineForTheHouseholder
DivineLife
Prayer
TheUniversalPrayer

Ifyouwanttobereallyhappy.........FOLLOWAHIMSA
TheHindudoctrineofAhimsa(NonViolence)isacomprehensivetermandemphasisesthevalueof
Satya(Truth)Tyaga(NonCovetousness)andBrahmacharya(Selfrestraint).
Meatdietisprohibited.Donotkillevenforsacrifice(Yajna).
ThisistheteachingoftheHindusages.TheStatesmansageofMahabharata,Bhishmacensures
animalslaughterevenforsacrifice(Yajna).
ThemightyfaithofMahavira,theprophetofJainismreproclaimedthetruthoftheancientVedic
Rishis.
Overandoveragainhetaughtregardeverylivingbeingasthyownselfandharmnoone.
InhislastsermongivenonthelastdayofhisearthlylifeMahavirasaidDestroythebondageof
Karma.BekindtoeverycreatureOMan!,hesaidThouartthineownfriend.
YesManishisownfriend,healsoishisownenemy.
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Forthereisthegreatcosmiclawthatwhatyoudocomesbacktoyou.Whatyoudountoothers,you
dountoyourselves.Thereforebekindtoall,ifyouwanttobereallyhappy.
SwamiSivananda

MessagetoNewlyWedCouple
RadiantImmortalSoul!
BlessedCouple
JaiSriRam!MayGodblessyou!
Uponthisveryhappyandauspiciousdayofyoursacredmarriage,IpraytotheLordtoshowerHis
graceuponyoubothandgrantyouhappiness,health,prosperityandsuccessinlife.Iamvery
happytogiveyouthislittlemessageaboutthegreatnessandgloryofmarriedlifeandthesanctity
ofthehomeofahouseholderintheGrihasthashrama.Thismessage,IgiveinthenameofParama
PujyaGurudevSriSwamiSivanandajiMaharajinvokinghisblessingsandGurukripauponyou
both.Receivethismessagewithearnestattention.Youwillbegreatlybenefited.
Thesignificanceofmarriedlifeisgreatindeed.Fortunateindeedisthatcouplewhostartmarried
lifewithrightunderstandingofitsimportanceandgreatness.Marriageisasacredspiritual
partnershipbetweentwosoulswhohavecomeuponthisearthtoevolveanideallifeofnobility,
virtueandDharmaandattaintheirgoalofdivineperfectionthroughsuchideallife.Therefore,the
homeofthemarriedcoupleisasanctifiedcentreofspirituallife.Thehomeistheirplaceof
worship,prayer,spiritualSadhanaanddailymeditation.Theculturalidealofyourholymotherland,
Bharatavarsha,regardsthissecondstageofapersonslife,namely,theGrihasthashrama,asthe
sacredfieldforthepracticeofnoblevirtue,ParopakaraandDharmaandfortheawakeningofyour
trueinnerspiritualnature.YouareDivineAtman.Youarenotmerelyaphysicalcreatureora
mentalintellectualbeingbutyouareaspiritualbeingfarsuperiortothelesserbiologicaland
psychologicalaspectsofyourtemporaryhumanpersonality.Youaredivinitieswithoutbirthor
death.Youreternal,imperishable,immortal,spiritualnaturemustberealisedandexperiencedin
thisverylife.Toattainthiswonderfulexperiencethewifeandthehusbandmusthelpeachother.
Theyaremutualhelpersinthisgrandadventureofideallivingandspiritualunfoldment.
Thehomeisasacredarenafortheattainmentofselfconquestandselfmasterywhichismore
thrillingthanthescalingofMountEverest.ThedailylifeoftheGrihasthaandhisGrihalakshmi
mustbethesublimeprocessofmanifestingtheirinnerdivinityandexpressingitoutwardlythrough
thought,speechandaction.Leadthisdivinelife.Truth,purityanduniversalloveandcompassion
constitutethebasicfoundationofsuchdivinelife.Theessenceofdivinelifeisselflessnessand
Seva,devotionanddailyworship,concentrationandregularmeditationandtodiscriminatebetween
therealandtheunreal,thedivineandtheundivine,betweenthespiritualandtheunspiritual.
Blessedcouple!Mayyoubothleadsuchadivinelife!FeelthatyourhouseistheabodeofGod.
MakeGodthemostimportantfactorinyourlife.GiveGodthecentralplaceinyourdailylife.God
whoistheLordoftheuniverseisthemasterofyourhomealso.Feelitasacredprivilegetobe
servantsatHisfeet.TellHimwithdeepfeelings,IamThine,allisThine,nothingbelongstome.
ThouarteverythingOLord.BlessmetoworshipYouandtoserveYouinandthroughallbeings.
FeelGodsdivinepresencealwaysinyourhome.FeelthatyouaredoingeverythingtopleaseHim,
toglorifyHim.Makeyourhometheholyhouseofprayer.Bothofyoumustworshiptogether,pray
togetherandglorifyGodtogether.UpholdDharma.Loveandrespecteachother.Evolvethelifeof
harmony,beautyandmutualregard.Developnoblecharacter.Letmoderationandawiseself
controlbethekeynoteofyourlifeinallthings.Createasublimespiritualatmospherewithinthe
home.Shinewithloftyvirtue.Letyourlifebeaninspirationtootheryoungcouples.Makesuchan
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atmosphereathomethatonewhoentersyourhomemustfeelatonceinspiredandelevated.Suchis
truesuccessinlife.InsuchahomeSatyaYugawillprevail.KaliYugacannotenterthere.Sucha
homeisVaikunthaonearth.SuchisthegloryandgreatnessofGrihasthashrama.
Alwaysregardyourmarriedlifeinitscorrectperspectiveandrecogniseitssanctity,spiritualityand
divinity.Thisisthewisdom.Thisisthewaytojoy,peaceandblessedness.Thisisthesecretof
spiritualisingallyouractivitiesandlivingYogaindailylife.Thusthehomelifewillbecomethe
gatewaytoimmortality,spiritualperfectionanddivinerealisation.Verily,Grihasthashrama,whenit
isrightlyunderstoodandnoblylived,becomesthegreatportaltoeternalblessednessandliberation.
Oursalutationsandadorationstoidealmarriedcoupleswhoarevisibledivinitiesandworthyofour
worship.InthathomewheredwellthePativrataNariandherloyalanddevotedhusbandlike
BhagavatiMotherSitaandMaryadaPurushottamaLordRamatheretheDevatasfromDevaloka
cometoofferworshipandfeelthemselvessanctified.AllthesacredriverslikeGanga,Yamunaand
Sarasvatiabideinsuchanidealhome.ThathomeissacredlikeVaranasi,Prayaga,Ayodhya,
MathuraandDwaraka.Maythisworldbeblessedbysuchidealmarriedcouples,andsuchsacred
housesofidealGrihasthashrama!Iwishyoujoyandpeace.Mayyourlifeberadiantlikethe
shiningsunandbringlightintothelivesofmanyothers!HariOmTatSat!
Withregards,PremandPrayersforyourhighestwelfareandhappiness,
Yours,atthefeetofSriGurudev,
(SwamiChidananda)

SthreeDharma
DutiesofaWoman
ManusaysLetawomanattendtoherhouseholddutiesmostcheerfullyandwithgreatdexterity,
keepherutensilsandapparelclean,herhometidy,herfurniturefreefromdust,alleatablespure,
cleanandfreefromdirt.Letherneverbelavishinexpenditure.Lethercookingbedonesonicely
thatthefoodmayactonthesystemlikeagoodmedicineandkeepawaydisease.Letherkeepa
properaccountofincomeandexpenditureandshowittoherhusband,useherservantsproperlyand
seethatnothinggoeswronginthehouse.(ChapterV50).
LetthehusbandandthewifereadandrecitetheVedasandotherShastrasthatsoongiveincrease
ofwisdom,teachthemeansofacquiringwealthandpromotetheirwelfare.Letthemalsocarefully
revisewhattheyhavestudiedduringtheirstudentlifeandteachthesame.Asfarasaman
thoroughlyunderstandstheShastras,sofarascanhisknowledgeadvanceandsofarmayhislove
forthemgrow.(ManuIV19,20).
Sheshoulddosuchnobleactionswhichwouldpleaseherhusbandandwouldbringhimglory,
honour,faithinGodandthefinalattainmentofGodconsciousness.Sheshouldbehumble,active
andstraightforward.SheshouldhaveaknowledgeofthedutiesoftheGrihasthis.Sheshould
herselfdoalltheworksofthehouse.Sheshouldknowcookingwell.
Sheshouldrespectallherhusbandsrelatives.Shemustserveheroldmotherinlawandfatherin
law.Shemustdoprostrationtooldladiesinthehouse,fatherinlaw,motherinlaw,Sadhus,
SannyasinsandBhaktas.Shemustgivealmstopoorpeople,SannyasinsandBrahmacharinswhen
theycometoherhouse.SheshouldgiveblanketsandclothestoSannyasins.Sheshouldtreatthe
guestsandfriendsofherhusbandwithrespect.Sheshouldinvitethemfordinneronauspicious
days.Sheshouldservepoorandsickpeople,SadhusandSannyasins.Sheshouldbecharitableand
spendonetenthofherhusbandsincomeincharity.Sheshouldcutthecoataccordingtothecloth.
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Sheshouldneverlivebeyondtheincomeofherhusband.Sheshouldneverborrow.Sheshould
makebothendsmeet.Sheshouldneverallowtheexpenditureexceedtheincomeofherhusband.
Sheshouldhaveaverylargeheart,sheshouldgetupatfourinthemorningandpractisemeditation.
SheshouldwakeupherchildrenalsoatthistimeandmakethemdoJapaandKirtan.
Thesleepingapartmentmustbefurnishedwiththepicturesofsaints,Rama,Krishna,Narayana,
Siva.Husband,wifeandchildrenwilldrawinspirationwhentheylookatthepictures.Thechildin
thewombisinfluencedbythesentimentsandemotionsofthemother.Ifshestudiesdaily
RamayanaorBhagavataandleadsapiouslifeduringherperiodofpregnancy,shewillgivebirthto
anobleandpiouschild.
NapoleonsmotheralwayskeptwithherpicturesofGreekandRomanheroesandsangsongsof
theseheroes.ThustheheroicspiritwascreatedinNapoleonwhilehewasdwellinginthewombof
hismother.AbhimanyulearntthewaytogoinsidethePadmaVyuha(Chakravyuha)whenhewasin
hismotherswomb.
MotheristhefirstGuru.Thechildlearnsthealphabetfromthemother.Thechildlearnstospeak
fromitsmother.Shemaymakehimasaintorarulerorarogue.Sheimpartshervirtuestoherchild
withthemilk.
SwamiSivananda
Annadanapurifiestheheartofthegiver.Onewhodoescharityoffood
anddelightsinfeedingothers,developscosmicloveoruniversal
brotherhood.
SwamiSivananda

Women
Modestyistheornamentofwomen.Togobeyondtheboundaryofmodesty,tobehavelikeaman,
destroystheelegance,grandeur,graceandbeautyofthefairsex.Nothingcanatoneforthewantof
modestyinawoman,withoutwhichbeautyisungraceful.Modestyisafundamentalvirtuewhicha
womanoughttopossess.Modestyisawonderfulmixtureofhumility,politeness,decency,
elegance,gentlenessandsweetness.Modestyisthemostpreciousornamentofawoman.Amodest
womanisrestrainedbyasenseofpropriety.Shehasgoodbehaviourandmanners.Modestyisthe
markoftruenobility.Awomanwithoutmodestyisaflowerwithoutfragrance.Awomanwithout
modestyisamerevoidalthoughshepossessesmanyothervirtues.Modestyraisesawomantothe
statusofdivinity.Amodestwomancommandsrespect.
ODevis!donotwasteyourlivesinfashionandpassion.Openyoureyes.Walkinthepathof
righteousness.PreserveyourPativrataDharma.Seedivinityinyourhusband.
SwamiSivananda

AdvicetoHouseholders
Iwilltellyouavery,veryeasymethodofSadhanabywhichyoucanattainGodconsciousness
evenwhileyouliveintheworldamidstmultifariousactivities.Youneednothaveaseparateplace
orroomandtimeofmeditation.Closeyoureyesforaminuteortwoonceineverytwoorthree
hoursandthinkofGodandHisDivinequalitiessuchasMercy,Love,Peace,Joy,Knowledge,
Purity,PerfectionandsoforthduringworkandrepeatmentallyHARIOMorSRIRAMorRAM
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RAMorKRISHNAKRISHNAoranyMantraaccordingtoyourliking.Feelthatthebodyisa
movingtempleofGod,yourofficeorbusinesshouseisabigtempleorVrindavanandevery
activitysuchaswalking,talking,writing,eating,breathing,seeing,hearing,etc.,areofferingsunto
theLord.Workisworship.Workismeditation.
Giveupexpectationoffruitsandideaofagency(Iamthedoer.Iamtheenjoyer).Feelthatyouare
aninstrumentinthehandsofGodandHeworksthroughyourorgans.Feelalsothatthisworldisa
manifestationoftheLordorVisvaVrindavanandyourchildren,wife,fatherandmotherarethe
imagesofthesameLord.SeeHimineveryfaceandineveryobject.Haveacoolbalancedmind
always.IfyoudevelopthischangedangleofvisionandDivineBhavaindallylifebyprotractedand
constantpractice,allactionswillbecomeYogicactivities.Allactionswillbecomeworshipofthe
Lord.Thisisquitesufficient.YouwillgetGodrealisationquickly.ThisisdynamicYoga.Thisis
verypowerfulSadhana.IhavegivenyouaveryeasySadhana.
WritedailyforhalfanhourinanotebookyourIshtaMantra,observingMownaandwithoutturning
totheothersides.WritedowninboldtypesonslipsofpaperSPEAKTRUTH,OMPURITY,
IMUSTREALISEGODNOW,IAMANEMBODIMENTOFPURITY,MERCY,LOVE,
ANDPATIENCE,andfixtheminbedroom,dininghall,frontroomsandverandah.Keepsome
slipsinyourpocketanddiaryalso.Thisisaneasywayfordevelopingvirtuousdivinequalities.
MaytheLordblessyouall!
SwamiSivananda
LoveandservicearetwokeystoDivineLife.Religionandlifearenot
twobutone.LeadtheLifeDivine.
SwamiSivananda

SanctityofWomanhood
1.WomanistheDivinepoweronearth.
2.Womanisthefirstteacherofman.
3.SeewomanastheEnergyofGod.
4.WomanistheSajivaMayaorChaitanyaMaya.
5.Womanisanembodimentofsacrifice,Ahimsaandpatience.
6.Ifsheisweakinstriking,sheisstronginsuffering.
7.Womanisanembodimentofpatience,gentleness,softness,sweetness,serviceandAhimsa.
8.Womanhasinnatesweetness.Sheiskind,tenderandaffectionate.Shehasamotherlyheart.So
sheisfitforBhaktiYoga.
9.ThewomenofIndiahavepreservedthespiritualcharacterofoursociety.
SwamiSivananda

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DomesticEthics
(1)YogaAtHome
Sometimesthehousebecomesahellwhenthereisnoreligiousunitybetweenhusbandandwife.If
thehusbandisreligious,theirreligiouswifedoesnotallowhimtostudyreligiousbooks,tositin
meditation,tovisitholyplacesofpilgrimage,topractiseBrahmacharyaandtohaveSatsangawith
greatsouls.SheisafraidthathewillbecomeaSannyasineventhoughhegivesasolemnpledgethat
hewillnotdoso.Therearealwaysquarrelsinthehousebetweenhusbandandwife.Thehusband
hasnopeaceofmindeventhoughheearnsadecentsumandhasgotalltheearthlycomforts.The
wifethreatensthehusband,Iwillburnallyourreligiousbooksasstudyofthesebookshasonly
producedachangeinyouandyouareneglectingmeanddonottakeanyinterestinhousehold
affairs.Iwillthrowstonesattheheadofthemanwhohaswrittenthesebooksandhasinspiredyou
totakerecoursetoYogicpractices.FoolsonlywillpractiseYoga.Howcanmenlivehappilywith
suchignorantandirreligiouswomen?ItisbettertodwellinthemidstofAsuricwomenlikeTataka
intheforestthantoremaininthecompanyofsuchhorriblewomenwhodisturbthepeaceofthe
house.Ifyourwifestandsinyourwayofdoingspiritualpracticemildlysuggesttoherthatyouwill
taketoSannyasa.Thenshewillcometohersenses.
Itisthedutyofthehusbandtotrainhiswifealsointhereligiousline.ShemustdosomeJapa,and
Kirtan.ShemuststudyreligiousbookssuchasRamayana,BhagavataandMahabharata.Shemust
takerecoursetooccasionalfasting.Hemusttakehertoplacesofpilgrimageandattenddiscourses
andKathasconductedbyMahatmas.ThewifemusthelpthehusbandinhisreligiousandYogic
practices.Thenonlythehousewillbeablessedplace.
SomehavetakenSannyasaonaccountofthebadbehaviouroftheirwivesandtheirhindranceto
Yogicpracticesathome.Iftheyallowedtheirhusbandstocontinuetheirpracticesandhelpedthem,
theywouldhaveremainedintheGrihasthaAshram.Itisthedutyofintelligentgirlstocooperate
withtheirhusbandsinleadingareligiouslifeathome.Thenonlycanbothleadalifeofpeaceand
happinessathome.Thescripturesdeclare,Withoutreligionahouseisaburialgroundthoughitis
apalace.
Thehusbandalsoshouldnotinterferewiththereligiouspracticesofhiswife.Heshouldhelpherin
allpossiblewaysinherspiritualevolutionandpurityoflife.
Maytherebetemperamental,psychologicalandspiritualunitybetweenthehusbandandwife!May
thehusbandhelpthewifeandviceversainreligiousandYogicpractices!MayGodrealisationbe
yourwatchword!Maypuritybeyourmaxim!MayDharmabeyourguide!

(2)ToHusbandsAndWives
Quarrelsarisedailyinthehousebetweenthehusbandandthewifeonaccountofmisunderstanding
anddifferenceofopinion.Thewifethinksthatthehusbandshouldobeyandpleaseherinall
respects.Thehusbandthinksthatthewifeshouldobeyandpleasehiminallrespects.Isthis
possible?No.Andsotheyquarreleveryhour.Itmaynotcomeintoregularfisticuffsandblowsat
alltimes,buttheywillnotspeakforsomehoursintheday.Sometimestherewillbeboxingand
caningalsoifthehusbandisshorttemperedandlacksselfcontrol.Atothertimesthehusband
breaksthevesselswhenheloseshistemper.IfthewifeislikeXanthippe(wifeofSocrates)or
Jijibai(wifeofTukaram),thetablewillbeturned.Therewillbethunderandrainonthehusbands
head.Sometimesthewife,whenshebecomesangry,refusestocookthefoodandliesdowninthe
beddrawingablanketoverherbodyandheadunderthepretextofseverestomachache.Thepoor
husbandrunstothehoteltotakehismealsinordertocatchthepilottraintogotohisoffice.
Sometimesthewifegoestohermothershousewithoutinformingthehusband.Thepoorshameless
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weakwilledhusbandrunstohismotherinlawshousetobringherbackwithfreshglowing,
goldenpromisesandentreaties.
Thewifemustbeeverreadytoreceiveavolleyofabuseswhenthedishesarenotpreparedtothe
fastidioustasteofherhusband.Theseareonlyminor,unimportantcausesfordailyquarrels.The
majorcausesaretoonumeroustobementionedhere.Youalreadyknowtheminfullandindetail
also.
Butstill,ifyouaskahouseholder,Whichisbetterahouseholderslifeoralifeofa
Brahmachari?surelyhewillsayHouseholderslifeisthousandtimesbetterthanthelifeofa
celibate.Hewillvehementlyfightwithallhisclumsyargumentstosupporthisview.Doremember
thestoryofthekingwhotookbirthasapigandwasrejoicingwithhispiglings.Hiscaseissimilar
tothisking.
Peoplehaveneitherdiscrimination,dispassionnorsubtlesharpintellect.Hencetheyarenotableto
knowthingsintheirtruelight.Theirintellectsareclouded,perverted,turbid,intoxicatedandveiled
bypassion,delusion,infatuationandignorance.Hencetheydonotknowwhattheyareexactly
doing.
Whentheyareswayedwithpassion,husbandsandwivesforgetallabouttheirquarrelswhich
occurredinthemorning.Theythinkthattheirlifeisablessedone.Theyutterpleasantlysome
floweryspeechforthetimebeing,thoughthereisnorealunionandloveinthecoreoftheirheart.
Trytopossessselfcontrol.Riseabovepassions.Bepure.Developgoodbehaviour,goodconduct.
Controlanger.BeregularinJapa,Kirtan,meditationandstudyofGita.Leadalifeofideal
householders.GothroughthebooksAdvicetoHouseholdersandSureWaysforSuccessinLife
andGodrealisation.Puttheinstructionsindailypractice.
ORam!TreatyourwifelikeaDevi.SheisthequeenorLakshmiofthehouse.Wherewomanis
honouredthereiswealth,prosperity,successandpeace.OLila!BecomeaPativrata.Donotquarrel
withyourhusband.BecomelikeSavitri,AnasuyaorSita.
MayyouallleadalifeofPuritywithdevotionandattainthesupremeblessednessinthisverylife!
SwamiSivananda
Wheretherearekindness,humilityandpurity,therespiritualitysprings
up,saintlinessshines,divinitydescendsandperfectionmanifestsitself.
SwamiSivananda

AMessagetoYou
RadiantImmortalAtman!
OmTatSat!HomageuntotheDivine!Itisanimmensehappinesstometoaddressthesefewwords
toyoutoday.Maytheybeengravedinyourheartandbeenshrinedinyourthoughts!
Livewithunderstandingandwisdom.Understandthemeaningandpurposeoflife.Understandyour
realnatureandwhyyouarehere.Hereonearthyouarebutapassingtraveller.Yourrealabodeis
thatrealmfromwhenceyoucame.Hereallthingsaretemporary.Allthingspass.Thereforeseekthe
Eternal.YourRealNatureisnotearthly.Itisspiritualanddeathless.TorealiseyourReality,your
eternalidentityisthepurposeoflife.Whileyoustrivediligentlyforthisinnerexperience,cultivate
IdealRelationshipwiththisworldaroundyou.Toallbeingsrelateyourselfwithnobility,sympathy,
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kindness,love,selflessnessandthedesiretoserveall,SERVEHUMANITYANDSEEK
DIVINITY.Compassiontoallisthekeytoblessedness.Humilityisthehighestvirtue.Truthfulness
isthegreatesttreasure.Selfcontrolisthesupremewealthtopossess.Egoismistheworstblemish.
Beanidealindividual.Becomeaspirituallyilluminedsoul.ThuscrownyourlifewithWisdom,
peaceandblessedness.Youwillthenbecomeablessingtoallmankind.IwishyouJoyandPeace.
SwamiChidananda

SureWaysForSuccessInLife
Haveasimpleandunassumingmanneroflife.Livenottoeat,buteattolive.Bearnoenvy.Commit
noslander.Speaknofalsehood.Practisenodeceit.Harbournomalice.Youwillbeeverjoyful,
happyandpeaceful.
Righteousnessistheruleoflife.Leadavirtuouslife.StrictlyadheretoDharma.Humanlifeisnot
humanwithoutvirtues.Studythelivesofsaintsanddrawinspirationfromthem.Cultivateamelting
heart,thegivinghand,thekindlyspeech,thelifeofservice,equalvision,andimpartialattitude.
Yourlifewill,indeed,beblessed.
Leadasimplelife.Leadaregulatedlife.Leadahardlife.Takeholdofeachdayasifitwerethelast
day,andutiliseeverysecondinprayer,meditationandservice.Letyourlifebecomeacontinuous
sacrificetoGod.
Liveinthepresent.Forgetthepast.Giveuphopesofthefuture.Understandwellthemeaningof
life,andthenstartthequest.Lifeisthygreatestgift.Utiliseeverysecondprofitably.Successoften
comestothosewhodareandact.Itseldomcomestothetimid.Mayyouallattainsuccessinlife!
SwamiSivananda

TheSanctityofMarriage
Householdersshouldnotforgetevenforamomentthatmarriageisasacredthing.Thesanctityof
marriedlifehastoberealisedinallitsfullnessandinallitsseriousness.Marriageisasacrament.It
isnotjusttheunionoftwobodies.Thatistheleastimportantpartofit.Thehusbandandthewife
shouldnotthinkthereisabsolutelynoloveabovetheirphysicallife.Thereisalove.Marriageisthe
bringingtogetherbyGod(throughsomemysteriouslawwhichoperatesinthisuniverse)oftwo
soulsinthisvast,vastphenomenoncalledlifeinthisvaststreamofexistencewherecountless
millionsofsoulsaremovingintheirindividualplanesofspiritualevolutiontowardstheDivine.
ThroughtheGraceofGod,throughtheDivineWill,andthroughtheoperationofcertainlawsthat
governthisuniversallife,twosoulsarebroughttogether.Thatisthemeaningofmarriage.
Throughthecomingtogetherofthesetwosouls,Godmeansanimportantprocesstobeworkedout
andthatisthesharingofthespiritualimpulsebetweenthetwo.Whattheyhaveearned,whatthey
havelearned,andtheirspiritualpotentialthehusbandandthewifearetoshare.Thehusbandisto
enrichthespirituallifeofthewifeandthewifeistoenrichthespirituallifeofthehusbandandboth
aretogohandinhandtowardtheSupremeAttainmentoftheDivineConsciousness.Thatisthe
true,innermeaningoffamilylife.Marriageissacred.Itisnottobetreatedlightly.Itisnottobe
consideredinavulgarsense.Marriageisanalliancewhichisforsomethingmorethanmere
physicalenjoyment,forsomethingmorethaneventheallimportantpurposeofthepropagationof
therace(though,toalimitedextent,thisisalsoapurposeofmarriage).Theoffspringsofthe
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husbandandthewifearealsotobespiritualbeings,becausetheyareothersoulscomingintothis
earthplanetoworkouttheirownevolution.Itistherefore,thesacreddutyofthehusbandandthe
wifetoprovideanidealhomeandtheproperinitialimpulsetothesesoulsthatcomeastheir
children.Thechildrenaretobeheldintrusteeshipforawhileuntiltheygrowupandgooutintothe
world.Thegrowthanddevelopmentofthechildrenwillbeinaccordancewiththeirownspiritual
nature,withtheirownspiritualevolution,withtheirownKarmawhichtheyhavebroughtwith
themyet,themotherandthefathercangiveagreatdealfromtheirownlivestotheinitialspiritual
unfoldmentoftheirchildrenuntilthechildrenattainastagewhentheycanthemselvesmindtheir
furtherspiritualevolution.Ifhealthyspiritualideasareimplantedintheyoungmindsfromtheearly
age,theyareboundtosproutforthatalaterstageandbringblessednesstothechildren.
And,asthechildrenaretobebroughtuptorespectthelawofcelibacy,ofcontinence,untiltheyare
actuallymarried,sothehusbandandthewifeshouldadheretothelawofcontinenceandcelibacy
andforthem,thislawshouldoperateintheformofastrictmoderationofmaritallife.Maritallife
shouldbebaseduponselfcontrol,notuponindulgence.Then,thewifeshouldregardthehusband
astheonlypartnerandviceversa.Thewifeshouldnothaveanyothermaleandsheshouldnot
thinkofanyotherman,butshouldbedevotedtoherhusbandnothoughtofanyothermanshould
evercrosshermind.Alltherestofhumanityshouldbetoherlikechildrensheisthegreat
Mother.ThehusbandmusthavethevowwhichRamahadthevowofthesinglespouse.That
meansthatthethoughtofanotherwomanwillneverenterhismind.Tohim,theonlywomanishis
wifeandtheirmarriagetiesaresacred.Inthiswaythewholefamilysetupbecomessacredand
holyandtheinteriorlifeofthespiritgoesonunhampered.Thereisnothingintheexteriorlifeofthe
beingtoinjurethespirituallife.Thereisnothingintheexteriorlifeeitherinthefamilylifeorin
onespersonallifetoholdbackorobstructthespirituallife.
Andthus,bothhusbandandwifegoinperfectharmony,andtheirlives,onthedualwingsof
exterioractivityandinteriorprayerfulness,gototheultimateblessedstateofsupremeGod
consciousnessDivineRealisation.Blessednessbecomestheirs,inandthroughtheirfamilylife,
wherevertheyare.
SwamiChidananda

ASpiritualDailyRoutineForTheHouseholder
Eachhouseholdershouldhaveanidealdailyroutine.Thehomelifeshouldnotbelefttoitself,but
takencareof.Inadditiontothoseunexpectedthingsthatcomeupeverydayavisitofsomeone,a
telephonecall,aninvitationtogooutwithsomeoneeveryoneofyoushouldhaveanaccepted
basicprogramme,abasicscheduleforyourdailylife,whichshouldincludeanhourofprayerinthe
morningandanhourofprayerintheevening.Theprayerhourmightincludethereadingof
scripturaltexts,thereadingofsacredandinspiringspiritualbooks,afewminutesofquiet,indrawn
meditation,afewminutesofactuallyarticulatedprayer,inspiringprayer.Theprayercanbe
spontaneousitdoesnotnecessarilyhavetocomeoutofsomebook.Oritcanbeboth,asthereare
someveryinspiringshortprayersintheGospelandalsoinsomeotherbooks.Thechildrenshould
alsobetrainedinthisway.
Thereshouldalsobesomeactualactofexternalworship.Afterall,weareembodiedcreaturesand
wewishtoexerciseourbodiesalsoindevotion.Whenyouareinastateofworship,thebodyalso
shouldtakeontheattitudeofworship.Youshouldlightacandle,burnalittleincense,bowbefore
theDeity,offersupplication,askHimtoenlightenyou,tofillyourheartwithvirtue,fillyourheart
withdivinelove,goodnessandselflessness,andthen,bowinglowandwithgenuflection,kneel,
pressdownwithyourforehead.Inthisway,youhavetohumbleyourselfinthepresenceofGod.
Then,asthebodygenuflects,prostratesandhumblesitself,theinfluenceofthoselittleactshasa
chasteningeffectuponthemind.Wecannotbecomecompletelyheedlesstothesereactionsofthe
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bodyuponthemindandthemindupontheinnerspirit.Therefore,eachday,youshouldhavean
hourwhenyouhavescopefortheexerciseofalltheseseveralaspectsofyourbeingforthe
exerciseofthebody,theheartandthefeelingsinprayerfortheexerciseofthemindandthe
intellectinstudy,reflectionandenquiryandfortheexerciseofthespiritininnercontemplation,
silence,indrawnnessandmeditation.
Eachmemberofthefamilyshouldhaveaprivatealtar.Themothershouldhaveherownnookor
littlecorner,whereshehasherownlittleprayer,littleconversationwithGod,littleaskingfor
guidance,littleintimatecommunionwithGod.Thehusband,likewise,shouldhavealittlealtarfor
himself,andifthiscannotbehad,atleasthemusthavesometimeforhimself,whenhecommunes
withtheMakerindividually.Andthechildrenshouldbetrainedrightfromtheverybeginningto
havesuchseparatelittlecornersforthemselves.Justastheyhaveonecornerfortheirtoys,another
fortheirbooks,athirdfortheirpets,sotheymusthaveacornerfortheirowncommunionwiththe
MostHigh,andifthishabitisdevelopedfromchildhood,thenlateron,theywillbeabletohave
theirownindependentspirituallife.
SwamiChidananda

DivineLife
Topractisenonviolence,truthandcelibacyisDIVINELIFE.
Tobekind,generous,humble,tolerantisDIVINELIFE.
TopractisevirtuesandberighteousisDIVINELIFE.
Toservethepoorinselfless,dedicatedwayisDIVINELIFE.
ToservethesickwithallisGodattitudeisDIVINELIFE.
Tobemerciful,courageousanddevotionalisDIVINELIFE.
TosingthenameofGodandprayisDIVINELIFE.
TodoJapaandmeditationisDIVINELIFE.
TobeaninstrumentinthehandsofGodisDIVINELIFE.
ToactrightlyandliveinGodisDIVINELIFE.
TodounconditionalselfsurrendertoGodisDIVINELIFE.
TorestrainthesensestohaveGodcommunionisDIVINELIFE.
TobeonwiththeDivineWillisDIVINELIFE.
Tobeasilentwitnessofthethreestates(waking,dreaminganddeepsleep)isDIVINELIFE.
SwamiSivananda

Prayer
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Lord,makemeaninstrumentofThyPeace,
Wherethereishatred,letmesowlove
Wherethereisinjury,pardon
Wherethereisdespair,hope
Wherethereisdiscord,union
Wherethereisdoubt,faith
Wherethereisdarkness,lightand
Wherethereissadness,joy.
OdivineMaster,grantthatImaynot
Somuchseektobeconsoledastoconsole
Tobeunderstoodastounderstand,
Tobelovedastolove
Foritisingivingthatwereceive
Itisinpardoningthatwearepardoned,
Anditisindying
Thatweareborntoeternallife.
St.FranciesofAssissi

TheUniversalPrayer
OAdorableLordofMercyandLove!
SalutationsandprostrationsuntoThee.
ThouartSatchidananda.
ThouartOmnipresent,OmnipotentandOmniscient.
ThouarttheIndwellerofallbeings.
Grantusanunderstandingheart,
Equalvision,Balancedmind,
Faith,devotionandwisdom.
Grantusinnerspiritualstrength
Toresisttemptationsandtocontrolthemind.
Freeusfromegoism,lust,greed,anger,hatredandjealousy.
Fillourheartswithdivinevirtues.
LetusbeholdTheeinallthesenamesandforms.
LetusserveTheeinallthesenamesandforms.
LetuseverrememberThee.
LetuseversingThyglories.
LetThyNamebeeveruponourlips.
LetusabideinTheeforeverandever.
SwamiSivananda

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