Fwd: The Art of Living in a Family

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Hare Krsna.

 

There is a method or an art to do a piece of work. Similarly, how to live in a family is an art. Have the best dealings with the members of your family for their welfare by giving up your selfishness and pride. Prove yourself an excellent and ideal brother, father, husband, son, wife, daughter etc. By doing so, the family atmosphere will be peaceful and cordial. You may say that there will be good atmosphere only if all the members of the family have good dealings. You are right. But I tell you that your best dealings will be an example for others and they will also start to have good dealings and behavior. Thus peace will prevail in the family. In this regard, there is another point that is to be kept in mind. Return good for evil. The other members may trouble you, insult you, harm you, and disgrace you, but you should comfort, respect, console, and praise them. In Ramacaritamanas, Lord Siva says to Parvati – "Uma sant kayi ihayi badaayi; mand karat jo karhi bhalaayi" (Manasa V.41.4) "There is great need of returning good for evil in these days." In the Gita, Bhagavan Sri Krishna tells Arjuna – "karmanye vaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachan," (Gita 2:47) "Seek to perform your duty; but never lay claim to its fruit." (Gita 2:47) Perform your duty to your family. The root cause of quarrels in a family is that every man demands his right but does not do his duty honestly keeping in mind that the other members of the family have claim on you. But don't set up a claim on them. Ask them to do a piece of work in a loving and cordial manner. If they obey you, you will be bound. But if they

don't obey you, you will be free from bondage. You are pleased when others do as you desire, but actually it is bondage for you, like the sweet poison which kills. Go on doing good to them, even though through out your life they may be self-willed and they return evil for your good.