Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji founded the Society Building department in Ananda Marga in 1960 with the following objectives.
- To encourage inter-caste, inter-religious and international marriages
- To encourage society to adopt the revolutionary marriage system of Ananda Marga
- Simultaneously inspire young talented youth to choose the life of a whole timer to propagate spiritual ideals in the society
Revolutionary Marriage:
In order to form an ideal society based on strong fundamentals, Ananda Marga encourages inter-caste, international, widow marriages and marriages of abandoned and shelterless women. The idea of dowry is rejected outright in Ananda Marga’s marriages. Owing to their revolutionary nature these marriages are called Revolutionary Marriages (RM). By eliminating the artificial divisions of society based on caste, creed, colour, nationality, etc Ananda Marga’s marriages help to form a healthy and universal society.
A few special features of Revolutionary marriage:
- Oneness & indivisibility of human society: Today, human beings have achieved remarkable progress in the field of intellectuality, the unity however is lacking among the members of society. The artificial divisions in society on the basis of caste, creed, colour, nationality, etc persist even today. In RM of Ananda Marga there is no such consideration. Shrii Anandamurti ji inspired his disciples to recognize all human beings as members of a great human family.
- NO DOWRY: In the social Code of Ananda Marga, Shrii Anandamurti ji has prescribed a simple system of a marriage ceremony. For marriage, neither party can demand a dowry. Further, he instructed his followers if dowry is demanded on behalf of either bride or bridegroom at a wedding, they may help out manually as required in the marriage but they should strictly avoid partaking of food there.
- Consent of Bride & Bridegroom for marriage is mandatory: In the Ananda Marga marriage, the guardians arrange the marriage & finalize after ascertaining the consent of the bride and bridegroom, and bless them, at least a day before the marriage is solemnized. If the boy and the girl settle their marriage themselves, it is proper for the guardians to give their consent. In case the guardians feel that the consequences of such a marriage will be harmful, they may ask the boy and the girl to reconsider their decision. Even then, if they do not change their opinion, the guardians should give their consent.
- Condemnation of Kanyaídaína (Gifting away of Daughter): In the Hindu system this system continues to prevail. It is considered as most virtuous by parents/guardians. In the consideration of Ananda Marga this practice smacks of selling out our sons and daughters like provisions. Society must give deep consideration to this aspect and do away with this system which is derogatory to the women in our society.
- Doing away with the system of priests: In the Ananda Marga marriage system two Acharyas (those who teach Yoga & meditation to all free of cost & serve the suffering humanity) function as priests on behalf of the bride & bridegroom. In their absence, any senior follower of Ananda Marga can conduct the ceremony.
- Equal Status of Bride & Bridegroom: In the Ananda Marga marriage system the bride & bridegroom sit facing each other. Parada Pratha (covering the face with a veil) is not encouraged. They take oath in their mother tongue for accepting each other as husband & wife.
- Responsibility of all the participants: All those who participate in Ananda Marga marriage take oath that they have witnessed the marriage & they will help each other in their all-around development. The revolutionary marriage makes society responsible towards the newly wedded couple.
- Simple & Economical: The marriage system being simple does not call for an ostentatious display. However, one is free to decorate, and arrange instrumental/vocal music according to one’s economic condition. Feast is optional. Arranging a feast by taking a loan or incurring a debt is prohibited. During marriage either garlands or flowers are exchanged between the bride & bridegroom.
- Importance of mother tongue: In India, it is observed that chanting of hymns/mantras in marriage function are not understood by the bride or bridegroom or the participants. But in the Ananda Marga marriage system the bride, bridegroom & the public take oath in their mother tongue so that they can understand properly. As per Shrii Anandamurti ji, the mother tongue is the best medium of expression. Therefore he has given much importance to the mother tongue in the marriage system.
- Spirituality – the base of Revolutionary Marriage: Those who attend the marriage function, including the bride & bridegroom, sing spiritual songs, and do collective meditation before the marriage proceeding starts. Everybody takes oath in the name of Parama Brahma & Marga Gurudeva. Throughout their life, the couple married through the Revolutionary marriage system of Ananda Marga do spiritual practices like Yoga & Meditation. They remember God or Parama Brahma whenever any work is commenced. Naturally, their off-springs become more intuitional. Being inspired by the above-mentioned principles many young men & women are tying knots. In India inter- caste & interstate marriages are extensively performed by the Society Building department of Ananda Marga.