CHAPTER I
ON MARRIAGE AND MORALS
The Americans found Thakur seated in the yard of Boral Bungalow with a
group of people gathered around him. A small lantern beside the bench on which
he sat spread a circle of light around them. The visitors took their seats and
after informal introductions, one of them observed, "Thakur, science has given
men the power over nature, but not the wisdom to use it properly. Nowadays, it
is said that man must gain an equal development in moral strength, otherwise, he
may be destroyed."
"I feel," Thakur began, "that whenever love dissolves all the “ Complexes in
the Love, then loyalty to moral law is automatic. Yet, the loll of lust and passion
dissipates love, staggers in dilemma and creates a chaotic, suicidal society where
evil runs in progression."
"Just what is the difference between love and lust, Thakur?"
Thakur answered, "The sine qua non of love is, I think, the inclination to give.
Its satisfaction is only in bestowing. It has no affinity with the dealer mentality
of give and take. In it there are no expectations, no hope for return. Lust, on the
other hand, is just the opposite. It is the inclination to get. It is 'wanton'
(wanting in education, unled, unprincipled). Love reveals itself through
admiration, service and offer of gratitude with every sincerity. Lust reveals
itself through demand, deprivation and negligence with every lassitude. When
love repels and lacks the zeal to suffer; when it cannot bear the cross of the beloved
nor entertain him with progressive, profitable nurture; then, I believe, that
love is doubtful, fictitious and not based on the being but on passion."
"But, Thakur, isn't passion primordial? It is a fundamental part of man's
life. Even philosophy says that man is born with 'original sin’."
"No doubt," Thakur explained, "passion is provided by Providence . . . but,
in order to propagate existence in an uphill evolution of life. Its proper use
through compatible marital match acts as toning food to the luster of conjugal
life. Its excessive expression or unbalanced suppression brings a dullness and
deterioration in body and brain. So I say to you: always be modest and honestly
chaste and thus allow your craving to tone your existence and extend your
marital go of life. Hence, being modest with normal restraint and off from its
misuse, you shall have bliss in hearth and home .... and blessed children, too."
"Do you believe such restraint is possible, Thakur?"
"I believe, when passion sucks the sauce from life, then disintegration absorbs
existence and fettered fate taunts with tears. But, when passion serves life
passionately to make the adjustment of existence meaningful, then that
propensity becomes soaked with love for existence in an active, serviceable
ecstasy—your own and others too. Providence smiles and stretches His providing
arms to embrace you. Then, such restraint is possible. So, can't you think of your
beloved with wistful service and interest? Merely this will encourage your
ability and repulse every contact that is foreign. Chastity will glow in your
mind and dwell in your physique and a radiant reverence will resonate through
each of your words and deeds. Then, with a thrilling caress of affection for life,
you will be the emblem of nurture, hope and charity to your children and
society!"
One of the young women shook her head. "There's one thing that seems unjust,
Thakur. Society expects chastity in women, but overlooks the lack of it in men.
Why is there always this double-standard?"
"Virtue in man is vital to existence no doubt," Thakur replied. "But, I
understand that chastity is specially indicated in woman because she is the
mother who conceives—the cradle of life, happiness and peace. It is she who
initiates every flowing good from the paternal, existential wealth. It is her
discerning intelligence and affectionate goading that adjusts the children in good
characteristics according to the essential resources of the father that dwell within.
So, I understand that 'mother' means 'to measure’, for she is the measure of the
child's personality."
"Still, Thakur, your explanation of love gives little room for give and
take. Don't you feel that constancy and dedication must be mutual? A wife
can't go on serving and loving without any I return in gratitude and love ..."
ON MARRIAGE AND MORALS
The Americans found Thakur seated in the yard of Boral Bungalow with a
group of people gathered around him. A small lantern beside the bench on which
he sat spread a circle of light around them. The visitors took their seats and
after informal introductions, one of them observed, "Thakur, science has given
men the power over nature, but not the wisdom to use it properly. Nowadays, it
is said that man must gain an equal development in moral strength, otherwise, he
may be destroyed."
"I feel," Thakur began, "that whenever love dissolves all the “ Complexes in
the Love, then loyalty to moral law is automatic. Yet, the loll of lust and passion
dissipates love, staggers in dilemma and creates a chaotic, suicidal society where
evil runs in progression."
"Just what is the difference between love and lust, Thakur?"
Thakur answered, "The sine qua non of love is, I think, the inclination to give.
Its satisfaction is only in bestowing. It has no affinity with the dealer mentality
of give and take. In it there are no expectations, no hope for return. Lust, on the
other hand, is just the opposite. It is the inclination to get. It is 'wanton'
(wanting in education, unled, unprincipled). Love reveals itself through
admiration, service and offer of gratitude with every sincerity. Lust reveals
itself through demand, deprivation and negligence with every lassitude. When
love repels and lacks the zeal to suffer; when it cannot bear the cross of the beloved
nor entertain him with progressive, profitable nurture; then, I believe, that
love is doubtful, fictitious and not based on the being but on passion."
"But, Thakur, isn't passion primordial? It is a fundamental part of man's
life. Even philosophy says that man is born with 'original sin’."
"No doubt," Thakur explained, "passion is provided by Providence . . . but,
in order to propagate existence in an uphill evolution of life. Its proper use
through compatible marital match acts as toning food to the luster of conjugal
life. Its excessive expression or unbalanced suppression brings a dullness and
deterioration in body and brain. So I say to you: always be modest and honestly
chaste and thus allow your craving to tone your existence and extend your
marital go of life. Hence, being modest with normal restraint and off from its
misuse, you shall have bliss in hearth and home .... and blessed children, too."
"Do you believe such restraint is possible, Thakur?"
"I believe, when passion sucks the sauce from life, then disintegration absorbs
existence and fettered fate taunts with tears. But, when passion serves life
passionately to make the adjustment of existence meaningful, then that
propensity becomes soaked with love for existence in an active, serviceable
ecstasy—your own and others too. Providence smiles and stretches His providing
arms to embrace you. Then, such restraint is possible. So, can't you think of your
beloved with wistful service and interest? Merely this will encourage your
ability and repulse every contact that is foreign. Chastity will glow in your
mind and dwell in your physique and a radiant reverence will resonate through
each of your words and deeds. Then, with a thrilling caress of affection for life,
you will be the emblem of nurture, hope and charity to your children and
society!"
One of the young women shook her head. "There's one thing that seems unjust,
Thakur. Society expects chastity in women, but overlooks the lack of it in men.
Why is there always this double-standard?"
"Virtue in man is vital to existence no doubt," Thakur replied. "But, I
understand that chastity is specially indicated in woman because she is the
mother who conceives—the cradle of life, happiness and peace. It is she who
initiates every flowing good from the paternal, existential wealth. It is her
discerning intelligence and affectionate goading that adjusts the children in good
characteristics according to the essential resources of the father that dwell within.
So, I understand that 'mother' means 'to measure’, for she is the measure of the
child's personality."
"Still, Thakur, your explanation of love gives little room for give and
take. Don't you feel that constancy and dedication must be mutual? A wife
can't go on serving and loving without any I return in gratitude and love ..."
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