Acharya Prashant addresses a questioner's dilemma regarding his father's past abusive behavior and his current desire for marriage. The questioner explains that his father was an alcoholic who physically and mentally abused his mother, leading to her paralysis and eventual death. Now, the father has built a temple and seeks a relationship with his children, but the questioner feels hesitant to reconnect. Acharya Prashant advises that a person should be evaluated based on their present state rather than their past. He notes that everyone's past is complex and filled with various influences, but if the father is currently worthy of respect and company, he should be treated accordingly. The past should be left behind to focus on the current reality of the individual. Regarding the questioner's confusion about marriage and the hope of elevating a partner's consciousness, Acharya Prashant offers a blunt perspective. He suggests that if the questioner feels the need for companionship or physical intimacy, he should proceed with marriage without trying to justify it as a spiritual endeavor. He warns against the egoistic assumption that one can raise another person's consciousness simply by being with them, comparing it to expecting a low-rated hotel to become a five-star establishment just because one checked into it. He emphasizes that only a person of great spiritual height, like Shri Krishna, can uplift others through their presence. Therefore, one should be honest about their motives for marriage rather than hiding behind spiritual excuses.
