GURUDEV HARDEV - part 2- chapter 3 - continued Tea and snacks for Baba Ji had been arranged in the Town Hall itself. Some eminent social workers also came and started talking to Gurudev while he was taking his tea. They asked Gurudev if he was not in favour of giving dowry to the girl at all. Another gentleman interrupted in-between and said, "Dowry is really causing a lot of anxiety to the parents today. In case two daughters are born in a family, the whole life of the parents is spent in earning money for their marriage only. But I want to know why you have given up the old practice of going round the sacred fire during weddings. Do you find something wrong with the ceremony?" Gurudev replied in his simple manner, "So far as the question of giving something to the daughter is concerned, the Mission as such is not against it. But we are absolutely against the demand or display of the same. The practice of dowry is making the poor still poorer because just to save their honour in the society, they take loans and suffer for the whole life. Otherwise who are the parents who would hide from their children what they possess? As far as the marriage ceremony is concerned, it has always been undergoing change with the change in time and circumstances. The purpose behind going round the sacred fire, as far as I feel, was that it should be a witness to the solemnization of the marrige. I further consider that fire symbolises enlightenment and our Mahapurushas have solemnized this marriage in the presence of the enlightened ones only. Thus, in no way the old custom seems to have been violated in this ceremony. The consideration of witness to the ceremony is there, of course." The social workers appeared keen to ask further questions but because of the restraint of time Gurudev stated, "Please continue to attend the congregations off and on. Keep in touch with these Mahapurushas. God willing, all your doubts will get removed automatically." Speaking thus, Gurudev proceeded towards the next place. The local people too returned to their homes while still discussing the teachings of Nirankari Mission and appreciating the simple marriage in particular.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 01:16:26 +0000
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