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Most important step
Child, it is not necessary to mention that in the
ladder of your life the most important step has begun. It
is essential to keep this step firm and steadfast so that it
poes not falter or retreat. During the wedding cere-
mony just a moment ago you were asked to place your
foot on a stone. It was to remind you of this firmness.
Let this quality uphold the dignity in your married life
without there ever being a transgression; neither should
any other person dare to misguide you.
Great in weight
The ashram or stage in life towards which you have
turned is great in dignity. Even the Rishis in their
estimation pronounced this as being equal in weight to
t he other three ashrams. Manu Maharaj has given
a good analogy of this: "As all life is dependent on air,
all the other ashrams look forward to the ashram of the
householder for existence". As all flowing rivers take
refuge in the sea, similarly the three other ashrams take
refuge in the householder's ashram. As it is the
responsibility of the householder to feed and clothe
those of the other three ashrams, he is regarded as
occupying a position of distinct importance.
The other half of man
Now what is your position in this ashram which has
been praised so much ? It is essential that you should
know this well that your position is that of a wife. Till
such time that a man has the help of a wife, he is said
to be incomplete. How can a person who has attained
only half his form be called complete ? The praise of
a woman in the words
srttr wrzrf
ardham
bharya manushyasya
is sufficient for her. Even in the
Puranas
the description of stiqtiharf
ardhanarty-
shwas
which is highly imaginative, is not just a fairy