Prabhupāda Explains to His Disciples Why He Sanctions Their Marriages
In establishing a global spiritual society, it was necessary for Śrīla Prabhupāda to practically engage the natural tendencies of his young disciples. Knowing that strict celibacy is extremely difficult in the modern age, he actively encouraged and personally sanctioned the marriages of many followers. By carefully explaining the profound duties of the gṛhastha order, he protected them from material degradation and proved that family life, when properly regulated, is a powerful vehicle for spiritual advancement.
A Concession to Avoid Illicit Sex
The most basic reason for entering household life is to regulate the powerful sex urge. Observing that the youth of the Western world were accustomed to mixing freely, Śrīla Prabhupāda recognized that forcing artificial celibacy would only lead to falldowns. Therefore, he granted marriage as a merciful concession to save his students from the severe karmic reactions of illicit sex. He explained that while the strict brahmacārī path is excellent, an honest and regulated married life is far superior to a life of hidden sinful activities.
- Because the sex-urge is so strong in young persons, and because they are used to mixing freely with one another, I encourage my students to get themselves married.
- I have allowed my disciples to marry as a concession for having household life, because you American boys and girls are accustomed to mix freely with one another, so what can I do?
- Just to save my students, both boys and girls, from sinful activities, I am personally taking interest that they may become good gentleman and lady by marriage.
- Marriage is a concession for a person who cannot control his sex desires. Of course it is a difficult job for the boys in this country because they have free access to intermingling with the girls.
- Unmarried man, because he has got no responsibility, he commits all kinds of sinful activity. That's a fact. Therefore in our Krsna consciousness movement we do not allow such illicit sex life, no. You must get yourself married.
Mutual Cooperation in Devotional Service
A spiritual marriage fundamentally differs from a mundane arrangement based on physical attraction and sense gratification. The true purpose of a Kṛṣṇa conscious wedlock is mutual cooperation, where husband and wife act as spiritual partners to help each other advance in bhakti-yoga. By working together to serve the mission and distribute transcendental knowledge, the couple minimizes the illusions of material compatibility. This unified dedication to the Supreme Lord makes their household peaceful, progressive, and deeply joyful.
- A Krsna conscious marriage is not based on sense gratification but rather mutual cooperation between husband and wife for making advancement in spiritual life and also for raising Krsna conscious children.
- In a Krsna conscious marriage the basic principle is for both husband and wife to serve Krsna nicely and to help the partner advance in spiritual life.
- Such contract of spiritual wedlock is made on the basis of compatible service of the Lord because such mutual cooperation in serving the advancement of Krsna consciousness minimizes the illusion of material compatibility and incompatibility.
- Both of you please accept my full blessings and sanction for your marriage. Work together for your mutual advancement in Krsna's service and be increasingly joyful in your Krsna consciousness life. This is my desire.
- So when you are also married with a good devotee, you can do the same work and open a center in some place convenient to you. That will spread our Krsna consciousness movement.
Raising Kṛṣṇa Conscious Children
According to Vedic culture, the only authorized justification for sexual intercourse within marriage is the procreation of God-conscious children. If a couple has no desire to raise children in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Śrīla Prabhupāda questioned why they bothered to marry at all, warning them not to use the institution merely as a license for sense enjoyment. By bringing pure devotees into the world and training them from birth to serve the Lord, householders perform the greatest welfare work for human society.
- Marriage is meant for producing nice children, Krsna devotees. So that is our aim. Our aim is not to produce cats and dogs.
- The aim of married life is to produce nice children, Krsna conscious children. That is the best service to the human society: produce nice children. Don't produce cats and dogs. That is my request. Otherwise don't produce. Remain separate.
- Married life means not sex enjoyment. It is not a license for sex enjoyment. Although it is some sort of license, but it can be utilized. It can be utilized for producing children of Krsna consciousness.
- You have asked what is meant by illicit sex. Sex should be used only in marriage for begetting nice children to raise in Krsna consciousness. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that I am sex life performed according to religious principles.
- You have been married for a year and a half but do not have any desire for children. Then why did you marry? That is my question. If you do not want children, then why did you marry? You should not take sannyasa.
The Principle of No Separation
The modern concept of divorce is completely rejected in Vedic civilization, as marriage is considered a sacred and permanent bond. To protect the sanctity of the institution, Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly forbade his initiated disciples from separating or divorcing under any circumstances. He frequently required couples to sign formal agreements promising to remain together for life, emphasizing that marriage is a serious responsibility, not a cheap arrangement to be embraced and thrown off whimsically whenever minor disagreements arise.
- In Krsna consciousness marriages there is no question of any separation or divorce.
- Please know it that I do not approve anyone's separation who are married by me. If they disagree, they may live separately, but there cannot be divorce.
- Married means that one should be satisfied with one woman and one man. That's all. And there is no question of divorce. Divorce is introduced by the modern rascals, but it is not sanctioned by any religious person.
- This marriage is serious business and not to be taken lightly. There is no question of separation in Krsna conscious marriages. Therefore I am asking all those who want to be married that they sign one paper promising that there will be no separation.
- So far the marriage proposed for 29th August, I have no objection provided they are firmly in agreement never to separate and are willing to sign such a statement. This was done recently by Rupanuga Prabhu and you can get the wording from him.
Taking Responsibility and Earning a Livelihood
Entering the gṛhastha order means immediately abandoning the carefree independence of youth and accepting full financial and social responsibility. Before sanctioning a marriage, Śrīla Prabhupāda demanded that the prospective husband demonstrate his capacity to earn a livelihood and independently support his wife and future children outside the temple's expense. Furthermore, he established the standard that responsible householders should live peacefully, earn their money honestly, and contribute fifty percent of their income to push forward the preaching mission.
- If anyone wants to marry, first of all he must show that he has some earning capacity. Not that "Because there are so many girls, and I marry one to satisfy my senses..."
- As you are married, there is no need of separation as you are practicing artificially. You must live just like a respectable married couple and earn money as a Grhastha, and spend 50 percent for Krishna.
- You may get yourself married, provided that you can meet the responsibility of grhastha life. If you marry you will have to work to provide for your wife and family and try to spend at least 50% for Krsna consciousness.
- You cannot get married, and at the same time do not earn money. Of course, by preaching Sankirtana Movement, if you are satisfied with a small income, that is also nice.
- Those who are not married should contribute all their income to the temple. Those who are married should contribute 50%. That should be the principle of contribution of the members and followers of the Krsna consciousness movement.
Conclusion
By clearly defining the parameters of spiritual wedlock, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensured that his disciples could safely navigate the powerful urges of material nature. He demonstrated that a properly regulated gṛhastha life—built on mutual service, the raising of pure children, and absolute commitment—is a completely authorized path back to Godhead. Through his merciful guidance, countless individuals have found peace and spiritual perfection within the sacred bounds of a Kṛṣṇa conscious marriage.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Marriage (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.