परो अिप िहतवान् ब ु : , ब ु : अिप अिहत : पर : |
अिहत : देहज : ा ध : , िहतम् आर यम् औषधम् ||
हतोपदेश
The person with whom we have no relation,
but who helps us in our difficult times
is our real relative / friend.
In contrast the person who may be our relative / brother
but who always behaves badly with us should not be
considered our relative / brother.
Just like a disease which is in our own body
does so much harm to us
while the medicinal plant which grows in a forest far off does
so much good to us!
From Hitopadesh
The company we keep will influence our lifestyle. During school years and especially after we leave our parents home for studies or work, our thinking and actions will be influenced by the company we keep. Later on in life, the partner we select will be a major influence. We have no choice in the selection of our parents. But selection of who our friends or life partner is up to us to decide. This will have a great influence on the kind of life we live.
Marriage is a union of two equals. The husband and wife are expected to love and respect each other. No one individual is given more importance over the other. The wife is considered to be ardhāngini, meaning the other half, or sahadharmachārińi, meaning her husband's partner, guide or friend in living a life according to Dharma. The wife also becomes the Samrāgni, or queen of the household and has an equal share in performance of religious rites.
“O wife! Become the queen and take care of everyone
in the family of your husband.”
Atharva Véd, 14.1.20
Status of Women in Society