JOIN USAccording to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Kali Yuga Avatar, "Man has become the bond-slave of lower instincts and desires. He is unable to distinguish between the low urges of lust and the elevating urge of Love. Love is the first step on the road that leads to Divine Grace. But man wallows in lust for physical comfort and pleasure; he is haunted by that nefarious companion of lust, called anger."
When the prospective partner is not interested, when the film version of the perfect honeymoon setting is not doable, what happens? Our Beloved Baba, He who is the embodiment of God on earth, He who knows our every thought, our every deed, our inevitable karma, explains. "When lust is frustrated, anger overtakes (man) and he becomes bestial and even demonic. When lust envelopes the heart of man, truth, justice, compassion and peace flee from it. The world degenerates into a snake pit, and God comes to rescue mankind from its doom."
He urges, "You must see to it that the heart doesn't contain dust and lust. Lust is the worst quality. If you want to go to heaven, you have to develop a pure heart. All your thoughts must be turned towards God." Does Swami offer any comforting words, particularly to the about-to-be married? Yes. "Youth should develop strongly the foundation of celibacy," He teaches, "so that when they reach the other stages they can be ideal persons. They should develop 'Love' towards God. This is the only way to build their strength."
When it comes time to marry and raise a family God will be with you. Sai Baba points out, "When a child cries it is given sweet meats. In the same way for human beings, who are governed by the senses, God has created this union of marriage to satisfy them. It is for self control that two individuals get married. Selflessness is God. Or, self which is selflessness is God. To feel mine and thine is ego. Ego is very harmful. It is to kill the ego in us that two souls are brought together so they can learn to adjust to one another and forget their egos."
Love of God creates a sacred union, not only with the Divine, but seeing God in everyone and being one with It is the ideal. Maybe I'm watching too much television. After all, Swami does warn, "Where it ennobles men, it is television; otherwise it is 'tele-visham' (tele-poison). In the attempt to attract numbers even good instruments and turn into poisonous prawns."