13 June 2015 - QA 10

Gurudev, please throw some light on inter-caste marriages. One of my friends is in love with a Muslim girl. Do we really need to follow the caste system in marriages?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

See, there are good and bad people everywhere. Many times there are fears that someone should not deceive the other person after the marriage is done. That is why you should also listen to your parents and consult them in such delicate matters.

When you fall in love, you sometimes become blind, and you don't think clearly. You are not able to see what is right and what is wrong. So in such sensitive matters, you should also take the advice of your mother and father.

Regardless of the caste or religious background one may come from, if a person is good at heart and has good qualities, then that has much more importance over other aspects. If someone belongs to the same caste and religions background but indulges in wrong activities, or is addicted to alcohol, etc., then what is the use of such a marriage? So the first thing you should see is that the person is good by nature and comes from a noble and respectable background.