The Marriage Deal :
THE ideal that marriage aims at is that of spiritual union through the physical. The human love that it incarnates is intended to serve as a stepping–stone to divine or universal love. (YI, 21-5-1931, p. 115) Absolute renunciation, absolute brahmacharya, is the ideal state. If you dare not think of it, marry by all means, but even then live a life of self-control. (H, 7-9-1935, p. 234) The idea of absolute brahmacharya or of married brahmacharya is for those who aspire to spiritual or higher life; it is the sine qua non of such life. (H, 5-6-1937, p. 134) Marriage is a natural thing in life, and to consider it derogatory in any sense is wholly wrong….. The ideal is to look upon marriage as a sacrament, and therefore, to lead a life of self-restraint in the married estate. (H, 22-3-1942, p. 38) Marriage for the satisfaction of sexual appetite is no marriage. It is uyabhichara-concupiscence. (H, 24-4-1937, p. 82) Manu has described the first child as dharma...