From our ancient scriptures, we learn that marriage is not merely a ceremony or a legal arrangement. It is a lifelong vow—a solemn promise to share responsibility for one another’s happiness and sorrow, until the very end of life. Marriage, in its truest sense, has always been regarded as sacred.

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Philosophy offers us an interesting lens through which to view love. It is often said that a human being falls in love three times in a lifetime—a thought echoed in contemporary conversations on human relationships today ([https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BGzFswHMT/]) ,Yet marriage was never meant to chase every experience of love. Marriage is the conscious decision to rise above fleeting emotions and commit to one love with enduring responsibility.

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When we look at India today, we see a society in transition. Demographic discussions suggest that birth rates are declining among Hindus while rising among Muslims. These shifts are not merely statistical—they reflect deeper changes in culture, economics, and how we perceive family, commitment, and continuity.

 

But alongside these changes, we are also confronted with uncomfortable truths. Indian news media have reported disturbing cases where individuals have taken the lives of their own partners in order to move on to another relationship. These are not just crimes; they are moral failures. They represent how far humanity can drift when desire is placed above duty, and impulse above conscience.

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Our legal system, too, bears the weight of these social realities. Although India’s divorce rate remains relatively low compared to many countries, divorce cases are steadily increasing, especially in urban centers. Family courts are overwhelmed with matrimonial disputes, many of which remain unresolved for years. In such a system, time becomes the greatest cost. The time of our courts is precious—and when justice is delayed in matters of family, the damage often extends beyond legal outcomes to emotional and generational wounds.

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One of the most significant legal moments in this conversation was the Triple Talaq case. In 2017, the Supreme Court of India declared the practice of instant triple talaq unconstitutional, affirming that it violated the dignity and fundamental rights of Muslim women. This was later reinforced by legislation in 2019. The message was clear: no tradition, no custom, and no personal law can stand above human dignity and constitutional morality.

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When we connect all these threads—philosophy, demography, crime, law, and tradition—we are left with an essential question. Have we forgotten what marriage was meant to be?

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Marriage was never just about falling in love. It was about staying. It was about restraint, responsibility, and choosing humanity over impulse. In an age of limitless choice and instant gratification, perhaps the most radical act is to honor a promise—to stand by one another, not just when it is easy, but when it is difficult.

 

That is not just the wisdom of our scriptures. It is the wisdom our times urgently need.

 

Thank you.