Comments on: Question of the Week: Hinduism and Relationships http://www.swadharma.org/2009/09/10/hinduism-and-relationships/ The voice of Dharma Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:22:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Anish http://www.swadharma.org/2009/09/10/hinduism-and-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-482 Anish Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:15:10 +0000 http://www.swadharma.org/?p=1871#comment-482 It can be said that to an extent, the relationships we have with others, be it familial, friendly or romantic, help to shape us and make us the people we are. Ideally the relationships we have with others all work together to uplift us spiritually and/or guide us through situations in our lives. For example, family will always be there for us and will want nothing more than our happiness and success (again, spiritually and/or through life). When Ram was banished from his kingdom, Ayodhya, Lashkman joins his brother for the 14 years of exile. Friends are always there for us and (in college, at least) are often the reason we are able to survive the day without going insane. However, friends can also be there to uplift us spiritually. This can be seen in the friendship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Mahabharat. Romantic relationships can also play a huge role in uplifting us. Granted that in a romantic relationship, physical attraction will always be present, ideally speaking, it won't be the basis for the relationship. For instance, Krishna and Radha shared a very romantic relationship where Krishna would seronade Radha with the beautiful music he played on his flute. However, the relationship was based more so on a spiritual level as Radha and Krishna were able to love each other because of the divinity they saw in each other. It was a romantic relationship, yes, but it was more of spiritual love between two souls than just between two people. What we can try to do is to emulate such relationships (familial, friendly, or romantic) so that we may all be uplifted spiritually. It can be said that to an extent, the relationships we have with others, be it familial, friendly or romantic, help to shape us and make us the people we are.
Ideally the relationships we have with others all work together to uplift us spiritually and/or guide us through situations in our lives.
For example, family will always be there for us and will want nothing more than our happiness and success (again, spiritually and/or through life). When Ram was banished from his kingdom, Ayodhya, Lashkman joins his brother for the 14 years of exile.
Friends are always there for us and (in college, at least) are often the reason we are able to survive the day without going insane. However, friends can also be there to uplift us spiritually. This can be seen in the friendship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Mahabharat.
Romantic relationships can also play a huge role in uplifting us. Granted that in a romantic relationship, physical attraction will always be present, ideally speaking, it won’t be the basis for the relationship. For instance, Krishna and Radha shared a very romantic relationship where Krishna would seronade Radha with the beautiful music he played on his flute. However, the relationship was based more so on a spiritual level as Radha and Krishna were able to love each other because of the divinity they saw in each other. It was a romantic relationship, yes, but it was more of spiritual love between two souls than just between two people.

What we can try to do is to emulate such relationships (familial, friendly, or romantic) so that we may all be uplifted spiritually.

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