Seminar on Vaisnava Etiquette and Culture given by HH. Bhaktividya Purna Swami given at ISKCON Radhadesa in 1998.
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So we just ended yesterday with the discussion that we want to apply some aspects of the Vedic culture. Then we should actually look into what are the aspects surrounding it or the situation which it is applied and then all the various elements that are there that were included. So then you get a complete picture.That may mean we have to do some research or discussion on these side areas, just like yesterday’s discussion was about engagements.
So this means that you have to understand what are the qualifications for training a girl, the qualifications for training a boy, then the families themselves what qualifications they have, a situation under that’s done and the mood that is behind all these that make them happen. And if that’s there, you can apply something for time and circumstance. Otherwise there’s a difficulty in application because the external form may be adjusted to some degree. Just like the idea is that as soon as the girl comes to maturity, in other words, she basically becomes a woman at 12, in her how she thinks, in her mentality while the boys don’t actually become men until late teens or early twenties.
The recommendation is ideal is like mid twenties and then they’re fully mature. But the girls are at a much earlier age than mature in this way. So Prabhupada said according to time and place and circumstances what is allowed in your particular countries and that this must be adjusted. Some countries allow at 16 to get married, some allow at 17, some allow at 18. So one must make adjustments. That must be always considered when this is being done. …read full story
