Why God takes birth on Earth when he can take care of everything from where he lives? This is because he wants to set examples through his life and set moral standards and values for common man. Yet, we tend to only read Ramayan and mahabharat and learn nothing from it. I am taking one such issue from these epics - person's right to choose his/her life partner. I will qoute few examples to support the views.
1) First instance I am picking up is from Devi Parvati's Life. Her Father, Himalaya, selected Lord Vishnu as her future husband. As this was not acceptable to her, she retired to a forest and kept fast till Lord Shiva accepted her as his future wife. She did not return until her father accepted her decision. The fast is known as Hartalika teej Fast which lot of women keep in UP and MP.
2) Since Devi Rukmani's marriage was fixed with Shishupal but she loved Lord Krishna. So she requested Lord Krishna to take her away.
3) People might say that Lord Krishna was male and could do such acts. To support the idea, he allowed Subhdra, his sister to elope with Arjun (since she didn't wanted to get married to Duryodhan, a match chosen by Lord Balram). To let others know that it was her decision, Lord Krishna instructed Arjun to let Subhadra manage the chariot.
4) Lord Balram's daughter (unable to recall her name) was in love with Abhimanyu (Arjun and Subhadra's son). But Lord Balram decided to marry her off to Duryodhan's Son, Laxman. Lord Krishna and Ghatotkatch (Son of Bhima (Pandav)) helped these two to unite.
I have been given example of Maa Sita a lot many times for her dedication towards her father and his vow. She only prayed for help to Maa Bhawaani but even after love at first sight with Lord Ram, she continued to take part in swayamvar organised by her father, Raja Janak. For this I only say, that was Treta yug. When yug changed to dwapar yug, social norms changed along with that. In Drupadi's swayamwar, Her father had also kept a competition. Karna was very much able to win her hand in the contest. But Even after that, she refused saying even if Karna wins the contest, she would not accept him as husband. Her object was not to defy her father but to have some right over her life's biggest decision.
I am not saying that people should just defy their parent's decision and act on their own will. Our parents have more experience than us and will take decision best in our interest. But yes, if we have someone in mind and heart and just because of social obligations we have to sacrifice, then I don't agree. I have never seen in my life that society has even once stood up to help us in our trying times. Infact when so called society came to tervi of my uncle (a very sad occasion for us as his death was at the age of 32 yrs and he left behind a very young widow (aged 25) and 2 children (1 and 3 years of age), people had enough time to go to Dilli darshan and haridwar and my mom was packing puri sabji for them to eat. Once my papa had hard time in his carrier and not a single biggies of our society came up to help though my father was very capable. When I told my father about my choice, he gave me 3 logics, society, caste difference and height difference (I am 4'6" and my husband is 6 feet). I told him to give better reasons. I don't care about the society, I care about his and my family's opinion and gave reasons I just said above. Caste difference - We both are hindu and 99% of the traditions match. I see no reason why I will not be able to adjust with that family. Height difference - Looks will be with us for few years. It would be nature and understanding which will keep us going. I requested my father to judge him and his family on the basis of nature. He gave me another logic. I am the eldest of all. I have to set standards. I asked him to promise that if I give in, my juniors will never take such steps. He couldn't promise. I asked him to try in his society and judge my choice's family as well. Finally after lot of search, he found my choice far better and my Family supported as well.
So give your parents a chance. Also, judge your choice and his/her family without being emotional. Be logical as its not only the person you are going to marry, but family also matters (this is more applicable to girl as she has to live with them).
Being optimistic is good but being over confident is not good. So Think before jumping to any decision.
Note: I was going to write this article as girl's right of choice but later realised that this can happen to boy as well.
