Re: Grihastha pair and the need of children

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Giving birth and raising Gaura Krishna conscious progeny (at least one) is one of the primary services of the grihastha ashram (devotional household life). Raising a child may seem to "apparently" complicate household life but in fact it helps us to go through the proper purification and tolerance which is to be attained in the practice of the grihastha ashram. It is the part and parcel of the whole package of marriage.

If a devotee couple desires to have intimate sexual relationships in marriage, then they have to take the responsibility to bear at least one child.  If the devotee couple can remain without such relationships and be together only for the purpose of Naama Bhajana and Prachaara (preaching), then it may be ok not to produce children. But that may be difficult to resist or avoid due to the close proximity of husband and wife. Also, it may require a good deal of spiritual advancement on both sides to lead such a life of non-indulgence (kind of celibacy) within marriage.

In regards to marriage, considering the present times, I would suggest the prospective devotee husband and wife know each very well for a period of at least one year or even more is better. In the Vedic times, this was not allowed nor was it required due to the advanced nature of the people in those ages. But nowadays, in the age of Kali Yuga, separations and divorces take place at the drop of a hat and they are highly unconducive to Naama Bhajana due to the emotional tribulations involved. Thus, it is greatly recommended to patiently wait and understand each other for as much time as possible before marriage and firmly determine whether both can stay together for the rest of the lives. Whimsically jumping into marriage without proper thought and patience may lead to unstability later.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

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