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We often speak of holy matrimony, but what of marriages formed without divine grace—those bound only by state documents, lacking sacred liturgy? In today's world, such matters can seem meaningless. One may marry and divorce countless times; everything appears disordered. Ideally, there is but one marriage—then Hari Om. If a wife dies, do not remarry. If a husband dies, do not remarry. Yet who follows this now? Thus, the question loses its relevance. Forgive my direct answer: you were married once; let that be complete. Do not marry again. Embrace what some call the bachelor life. Yesterday, I heard of a man over a hundred years old—healthy, happy, and wise. When asked the secret of his longevity and joy, he replied, “Because I didn’t marry.” Yet we need a new generation of yoga; the situation seems hopeless. But if women decide, the world can improve. Today, the world is in the hands of women—and look at its state. One fails to understand true relationship—a bond unchanged by death or birth. There is a German song that says, “Real friendship should never say, ‘Say.’” Its ending is negative: “When death takes my life, I will cease to be faithful.” I corrected it: “Even when death takes my life, I will not cease to be faithful.” Once you give yourself fully, nothing remains for another. In such a bond between husband and wife, happiness flourishes. Otherwise, modern married life is often unhappy and unpleasant. Few find real joy, for worldly culture has changed—human attitudes have shifted. A woman’s body has become a commercial object in every aspect: hair coloring, henna, and countless companies profiting. It is mostly women, aside from some dissatisfied men, who color their hair to appear young—an inferiority complex. A contented person does not do this. Clothing, too: new fashions arrive each year, driven largely by women. Men may wear trousers for ten years—why not, if they are fine and clean? Yet women seldom keep the same garment for half a year. Makeup, colors, factories—all profit from women. In posters, pictures, everything, women have become economic models. They sell themselves, neglecting their vivekā (discernment). This manipulation obscures their true nature. The natural life of woman is lost. Very few live naturally—their skin, face, and attitude beautiful. When we live artificially, we lose natural beauty, and nature disapproves. If you painted a tree’s leaves a different color each day, the tree would die. If you approach honeybees with artificial scent, they may attack. In Jordan, we had wild bees, large as umbrellas. We camped in fields, and Natasha from Ljubljana—fully made up—sat under a tree with Vasiṣṭha. The bees grew furious and attacked. Vasiṣṭha ran swiftly; Natasha fled in tears. It is a true story. Even animals dislike artifice; even your cat may not lick your face. Natural beauty is best. Use natural substances—earth colors, ash, sandalwood. Nature accepts these; bees will not attack. In many ways, women have lost their dignity—the highest position of being a mother, the noble role of wife, the loving place as a daughter, the beauty and glory of the family. Woman is the glory, beauty, and noble model of the family—the highest honor of motherhood. Do not sell your body lightly. Lead a natural life. Every man is equal—wise or foolish. At first, they may bring flowers, chocolates, ice cream. After a year or two, you may feel like hot iron between hammer and anvil. If divorced, be happy. If not, be happy. Hari Om. You had it; now it is Hari Om. Recognize human life—not to be destroyed in petty quarrels. Moving from one marriage to another wastes immense energy. When a husband dies, half the wife’s body dies. When a wife dies, the husband’s heart dies. They are immortal souls united in one body. Yet today it is hard to endure hardship; we lack the strength to bear difficult words and situations. For what is human life given? To serve and realize God. Swami Sivanandaji of Rishikesh gave this slogan: serve, love, meditate, realize. Fulfill these four, and it is more than enough. Serve all creatures, love all creatures, meditate whenever possible—this leads to realization. In his ashram, a monument bears this inscription. He was a great saint, an exemplary swāmī, with many fine disciples. One is Swāmī Chidānandajī, his successor, nearly ninety, living in Dehradun near Rishikesh—wise, kind, and humble. To see such a sādhu and receive darśan is a blessing. India still has thousands, millions of good sādhus. Only one is not good: ourselves. Have you ever reflected, even for five minutes, “I am a human”? When you think this, many negative qualities fall away. If you have ill thoughts toward another, think, “I am human, not an animal.” If angry, think of God: “I am human, not a devil; I cannot be angry.” If jealous, think: “I am human, not an animal.” When negative tendencies arise, neutralize them by remembering your pure, divine humanity. Life’s troubles arise because we forget who we are. This is not about discriminating against other creatures, but fulfilling your human mission. Do not divide; unite. Open your heart. Know that love, contentment, and happiness are universal principles—no one holds copyright. Like water, air, fire, ether, and earth, they belong to all. You possess these five: love, feeling. No one owns them. Feelings can be negative or positive. When animalistic energies awaken in your consciousness, feelings turn negative—anger, hatred, jealousy, greed. These are great obstacles. If someone speaks to you and you take offense, you become like corn on a hot pod—turning to popcorn, which cannot regrow, only to be consumed. When angry, jealous, or offended, you lose spiritual gains. Your greatest enemy, stupidity, and ignorance is taking offense. You are offended because you cannot digest truth, because you lack the wisdom to compromise and understand another’s situation. This understanding makes you a yogī, a realized soul—not by pretending, but by knowing you are human.