It is always fascinating to see a creeper growing and climbing
upwards and spreading on a tree, snugly embracing and encircling its trunk and
branches. With the tree bearing delicious fruits, and the creeper bearing
enchanting flowers amidst the unification of their greenery is a great sight
indeed.
We always had flowering creepers at our house here in Secunderabad
and at Kothagudem. What you see in the above pictures is a new creeper planted by
us which seems to have taken a liking to a little older plant by its side and
has embraced it and it is encircling and growing on it. This reminded me of the
many creepers in our houses and especially the “Madhavi Lata” which encompassed
the entire façade of our house and spread over the terrace with its lovely and
fragrant flowers… pictures of which you can see at the bottom of this article.
These plants also reminded me of the Vedas, especially the Atharva
Veda on Vivaha that is Marriage, the commentaries on which I have read from
time to time. Atharva Veda explains the roles, functions and duties of a
husband and wife to lead a happy married life.
I am listing them below in brief…
1) Duties of husband and wife in marriage,
2) Duties of a wife, and
3) Duties of a husband.
But before that, under the duty of a wife to her husband is an
instruction which is most relevant to this blog post and the pictures above, which
states:
“A wife’s development should always be directly proportional to her
husband’s growth, as a creeper completely depends on the tree… very intimately”
– Atharva Veda.
“May all the Gods, and the waters, put together (anoint) our two
hearts” – Rig Veda.
Nathicharami Shloka in
Sanskrit…
Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha, Imaam Nathicharami I
Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha, Imam Nathicharami II
Meaning: I shall abide by you in Dharma, Artha and Kama.
Is a beautiful Celestial Vow at the Wedding that signifies the very
sanctity of a Marriage! Read all about it towards the end of this article.
DUTIES OF
HUSBAND AND WIFE:
Sharing is the key to a healthy marriage. Husband and Wife should
share everything they come across.
Hard work and strength should be the traits of a husband, and a wife
should be calm and serene. This will give birth to brave and sensible progeny.
Husband and wife should be completely devoid of anger and should
work together to accomplish household tasks.
Compatibility should never be an issue between a husband and a
wife. Love comes with understanding.
The wife should be careful regarding keeping herself well clad and
look decent. The husband should never think about any other woman.
DUTIES OF A
WIFE:
Her husband’s house should be her permanent abode. Handling
situations faithfully, gently, and in a learned manner will prevent problems
from entering their lives.
Being blunt and over-reacting may bring a monotonous approach to
any relationship. Showing care, love and romanticism should be well understood
by the wife.
Sincerity and dedication towards her husband should be her
priority.
The wife should always put up a sweet and sober nature.
Being sensual, hardworking and maintaining the daily rituals
cleverly and properly should be her attitude.
The hard-earned money by her husband should be managed by the wife.
Preserving and increasing it is her duty.
Ensuring that milk and milk products should never be a shortage
should always be in her mind. Always developing the house in a positive manner
and maintaining a peaceful environment are her responsibilities.
She should take care of her happiness as well and discuss it with
her husband. Sorrows should not weaken her as she is the housemaker and her
attitude will affect the entire household.
A wife’s development should always be directly proportional to her
husband’s growth, as a creeper completely depends on the tree…very intimately.
Even the thought of separation from her husband is a crime for her.
It is her duty to bring in spirituality in the members of the
family and always keep God’s grace on the house.
DUTIES OF A
HUSBAND:
The husband should be sweet and affectionate such that the wife
will always love him dedicatedly.
Nothing should be kept hidden from the wife. Maintaining
transparency is his important duty.
Being disciplined and maintaining a pious life should always be in
his mind.
Love, care and affection should always be shown by him towards his
wife. Even in situations of sorrow and difficulty he should never be rude or ill-treat
his wife.
The husband should lead a disciplined life and should be capable of
earning money to sustain his married life.
His wife should always get the required respect and should be
treated as a precious possession. He should always be careful about her honour.
Nathicharami Shloka/Chant in Sanskrit is a beautiful Celestial Vow at the Wedding
that signifies the very sanctity of a Marriage! This is recited by the Bride
and the Groom three times, at the wedding ceremony:
धर्मेच अर्थेच कामेच इमां नातिचरामि ।
धर्मेच अर्थेच कामेच इमं नातिचरामि ॥
English Transliteration:
Dharmecha,
Arthecha, Kamecha, Imaam Nathicharami I
Dharmecha,
Arthecha, Kamecha, Imam Nathicharami II
English Translation:
I shall
abide by you in Dharma, Artha and Kama.
Detailed Meaning:
In responsibility, success and pleasure, may I (the Bride) always
be on your side.
In responsibility, success and pleasure, may I (the Groom) always
be on your side.
DHARMA – Righteousness
ARTHA – Worldly Prosperity
KAMA – Enjoyment, desire, wish,
passion, longing, the pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life,
affection and love.
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