Societal views on inter-caste marriages vary; some regard them as religiously unacceptable, while others say that such marriages were prevalent in ancient times. In the midst of these continued debates, a couple with unresolved questions approached the great saint, Premanand Ji Maharaj, for advice.
In a viral video of his satsang, a man from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, shares his journey of transformation. He remembers giving up all sorts of vices, including alcohol, meat, cigarettes, and gutkha after getting initiated under the shelter of Radha Rani. “Radhe-Radhe Guruji. I used to consume alcohol, meat, gutkha, eggs, and cigarettes. But after taking the name of Radha Rani, all these addictions have vanished,” he says. In appreciation, Premanand Maharaj said, “You have abandoned all these addictions; you are a tough man.
However, the man reveals that he and his wife, who had a love marriage, regret not maintaining purity before marriage despite facing many challenges. They had been in a relationship for nine years before marriage, but they were unable to remain pure before tying the knot. The man expresses his remorse, saying, “I regret not maintaining purity before marriage.”
Premanand Maharaj calmly listens and responds, “You married the one you befriended, didn’t you?” He continues, “Look, you married the one you loved, and we have no complaint about that. If you transform your love into pure love and proceed on the path of devotion to God, then your love will find true meaning.”
Expanding his thoughts, Premanand Maharaj explains, “Modern love is shallow, driven by lust and fleeting associations. What do you consider the body to be-a plate or a bowl? Life is about character. If you love someone, love them for a lifetime. That’s all we ask. Where you come from does not matter. You both fell in love, and that’s fine.” You loved each other, you desired each other’s body. Fine. Now sustain that love throughout life. That’s what is meant for Kaliyuga too if we are lucky to at least keep such amount of love.
Premanand Maharaj also expresses his concerns over live-in relationships, saying, “You have turned the body into a toy,” and questions the country’s aspiration to become a Vishwa Guru when our own homes are in disarray. “Someone told me that we aim to make India a Vishwa Guru. But how will we achieve this when our own homes are in disarray? We can’t be the gurus of our own families but we want to become the gurus of the entire world.”
Talking about the increasing divorces, Premanand Maharaj says, “People get divorced within a year of love marriages. Is that your definition of love? You want a joyous married life, you have to be tolerant. If it is your mistake, apologize; if your partner is at fault, forgive. That’s how life progresses.
