Acharya Prashant explains that a relationship should be conducted like a penance (tapasya). To maintain a genuine relationship, it is essential to be frank and truthful with each other. He advises that whatever is bad or inferior about a person should be spoken to their face and not kept in the heart. He contrasts this with superficial exchanges intended to please, suggesting that a firm 'no' is sometimes necessary to maintain integrity. For instance, if asked, 'Darling, can't you eat an ice cream for me?' the response should be, 'No. I won't eat it, and you won't either.' In response to a question about the impracticality of absolute truth in worldly relationships, Acharya Prashant states that every relationship develops its own 'culture' or 'code of conduct,' which is a shared creation of the individuals involved. This culture is shaped by their mutual influence and determines how they evolve over time. It is crucial to establish this culture on a foundation of truth and frankness from the very beginning. He points out that a relationship is not just between two pre-formed individuals; it also shapes them. How they evolve depends on their mutual agreement, which should be based on wisdom. He argues that most relationships are founded on mutual exploitation and deception. If people's true intentions were transparent, many relationships would never form. This foundation of lies leads to constant conflict. To avoid this, a relationship's basis should not be exploitation, and its culture should not involve false promises or the burden of keeping each other happy. Instead, it should be an agreement to always speak the reality to one another. The practice of truthfulness must begin from the very start of any relationship, even with a newborn child. He criticizes parents who teach their children to blame others, thereby instilling a flawed culture. If relationships, including family bonds, are built on years of trivial talk and lies, it becomes nearly impossible to introduce truth later. People become accustomed to deceit, and a genuine attempt at truthfulness might be perceived as another lie, similar to the story of 'the boy who cried wolf.' To maintain a genuine relationship, one must speak frankly. Where frankness is not possible, a genuine relationship cannot endure. Acharya Prashant asserts that domestic life is not a trivial matter; it is a great penance that requires immense discipline and a constant practice of truth. Otherwise, the home turns into a hell. Truth must be a non-negotiable principle. One must commit to not holding the other person guilty for speaking the truth, no matter how bitter it may be.