Life Without Conflict Life Without Conflict | Page 92

Life Without Conflict 75 When you got married, it was in the presence of Suryanarayan, the Sun God, the priest and guests. The priest was your witness and at that time, you agreed to “Exercise caution according to situations.” But, you do not know how to be cautious. You should practice caution as the situation dictates. When the priest chants, “Samaya varte savdhan,” (Be cautious as the situation calls for) during the marriage ceremony, he himself understands what that means, but does the groom? What does it mean? It means that when the wife gets upset, you should maintain caution, be very careful. Would the neighbors not come to watch if the two of you were to fight, and make a spectacle of yourselves? If you were never going to get back together again then go ahead and fight, but why do you fight otherwise? Should you not have this understanding and awareness? A female trait is such that she will never change and therefore you will have to. Women are spontaneous (sahaj) in nature, and therefore not likely to change. Say your wife gets upset and says, “I am not bringing you a plate of food upstairs anymore; you will have to come down and get it yourself. You are now well and able. You wander around and gossip with people, you smoke cigarettes, but when it is time for you to eat, you ask me to bring your plate up to you. I am not going to do that.” That is when you must say to her calmly, “Please fix me the plate, and I will come down and get it myself.” Even before she has a chance to say anything, just tell her that you are sorry and that you are coming. If you do this, you will sleep peacefully. Otherwise, your entire night will be ruined. Both of you will pout, you will sleep separately and not sleep well, and then in the morning, she will still be sulking when she serves you your breakfast. You will notice it right away. This life is full of conflicts and quarrels. The Hindus spend their whole life in conflicts and quarrels.