IGNITE THE FLAME OF FRIENDSHIP
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Amarriage gets sweeter and stronger when the partners are friends forever! This week has been a roller coaster ride for me, emotionally. My baby sister, who has grown up in front of me and has been my companion and confidante, is getting married today. I am elated to share that she has found a friend in her husband. As per Hindu scriptures, marriage is a sacred relationship that unites two people, so that they can pursue dharma (duty), artha (possessions), kaama (desires), and moksha (salvation). However, in my humble opinion the foundation stone of marriage is friendship. Friedrich Nietzsche, the existentialist philosopher opined, “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” It is extremely important for the husband and wife to be good friends.
Though the western world has started to realise the importance of friendship in a marriage recently, this concept was always known to ancient Indians. It has been mentioned in the great epic, Mahabharata. During the exile of the Pandavas, King Yudhishtira encountered a Yaksha, who had killed his brothers. He asks Yudhishtira a hundred and twenty questions. The Yaksha promised to bring his brothers back to life if he answers them correctly.
One of the questions the Yaksha asked Yudhishtira was “kimsvin mitremphasiam grihesatah?”, meaning, “Who is the friend of a householder?” Yudhishthir answered, “The friend of a householder is his spouse.”
Hindu marriage rituals, further emphasise the role of friendship in a marriage. When the bride and the groom take seven rounds of the holy fire, they pledge eternal friendship to each other. They chant:
“Sakhaa sapta padi bhava; sakhyam te gameyam; sakhyam te mayoshah; sakhyam te mayoshtah.”
“With these seven steps, you have become my friend. May I deserve your friendship. May my friendship make me one with you. May your friendship make you one with me.”
My dear readers, I hope that you find a friend in your spouse and kindle this flame for evermore. T his week signifies a time of change and transition. The cards indicate that you are disappointed and are walking away from your near and dear ones. It could be a disappointment in love or dissatisfaction with finances.
Scorpios, who are in a relationship might be feeling that they are giving too much and not getting nearly enough in exchange. It is best to talk to your beloved and communicate your feelings clearly.
This is a time to achieve a higher purpose in life and pursue more meaningful goals.
Travel away from home is also indicated by the cards. T his week, you are feeling incredibly inspired and enthusiastic about pursuing a new idea or project that you have in mind. Use your creative energy and passion to take the first steps and get this project underway.
The cards are also indicative of a time in your life where you have an epiphany and feel very inspired and motivated about a particular idea or passion. Your eyes have been opened to a whole new world and you are now very excited about the possibilities and the opportunities that are available to you. It’s also a good time to build new relationships.
Lucky number: 1 Lucky colour: Fiery red