Acharya Prashant explains that societal pressure often forces individuals into marriage by instilling a fear of future regret, yet the reality of those already married often reveals deep dissatisfaction. He points out that the nature of consciousness is suffering, and while true liberation requires the difficult path of self-knowledge and facing one's fears, people often choose the 'cheaper' alternative of seeking comfort in relationships and children. This reliance on relationships to fill an inner void leads to a lack of meaningful purpose, especially when individuals marry simply because they lack higher challenges or are driven by loneliness and biological urges. He critiques the Indian marriage system as a primary cause of the country's high unhappiness levels, noting that even poorer nations report higher levels of well-being because their social structures may not be as stifling. Addressing the notion that marriage makes one responsible, Acharya Prashant argues that it is unfair to sacrifice a woman's life to reform an irresponsible man. He emphasizes that a woman is a human being before she is a wife or mother, and reducing her fulfillment to procreation is a primitive, animalistic view. He asserts that true humanity is defined by love and the pursuit of liberation, whereas living merely by natural instincts and social conditioning is akin to animal existence. He challenges the idea that legal or social bonds equate to civilization, suggesting that such bonds often act as cages that suppress rather than eliminate base instincts. He advocates for deep self-knowledge and maturity, suggesting that individuals should spend significant time—perhaps even a decade—truly knowing each other before entering into legal or religious obligations. Finally, Acharya Prashant highlights that the root of most relational and societal problems is the lack of spiritual education and self-awareness. He dismisses superficial solutions like marriage counseling or 'self-help' in favor of genuine self-observation to understand the origins of one's desires and thoughts. He encourages women to seek higher purposes beyond domesticity, such as education, exploration, and creative work. He concludes by urging both men and women to view each other as conscious human beings rather than mere objects of gender or sexual obsession, stressing that while physical pleasure has its place, it should not be the central focus of a human life.
