Generation Gap
77
for insulting them? Do you know what consequences you men
will have to endure for your actions?
Currently there is an increase in the number of females and
consequently their value has declined. This is all nature’s doing.
Now when will the results of men’s actions come into fruition? It
will be when there is a decrease in the female population and a
surplus of men. It is when the women will be making a decision as
to what kind of a husband they want. The women will ask for
swayamwvar (a custom prevalent in India hundreds of years ago,
when invitations would be sent to all eligible young men by the
father whose daughter was of a marriageable age, inviting them to
present themselves at the reception of swayamvar. The girl would
then place a garland of flowers around the neck of the suitor of
her choice). At the swayamvar there would be a hundred or so
suitors for just one girl. They would come to the swayamvar all
decked out in the finest of clothes. As they line up for her
inspection, they twirl their moustaches in a gesture of confidence,
each thinking to himself that he will be the chosen one. They incline
their heads forward, as she walks along the ranks, but she passes
them by without a second glance. She does this until her heart
leaps at the sight of the man she feels attraction for and she garlands
him. The others walk away with their heads downcast, looking
hopeless and foolish. This is their repayment for their own past
foolishness.
(P.482)
Nowadays marriages are reduced to contracts of dowry.
Love has been set aside and marriages have become a commodity
of monetary dealings. The groom’s parents will demand a dowry
in exchange for their son’s hand in marriage. The marriage is not
allowed to proceed, until the demands are met.
(P.486)
SELECTION OF A HUSBAND
There is nothing but dependency in this world. No one is