What is given by Gods as a friend (to man)?
The question should be read in the context of the previous question.
भार्या दैवकृतः सखा
bhAryA daivakrutaH sakhA
Wife is the one bestowed by divinity to a man
This brings to mind a common proverb (and a KannadAsan song) - மனைவி அமைவதெல்லாம் இறைவன் கொடுத்த வரம் (The wife one gets is God's boon).
In the previous question we talked about the duties (or dharma, in this context) of a man to take care of his children. Is this a solo journey? Is it all on the man to take charge? We can take that this is supporting the previous one in that the divinity not only makes an AtmA be born to live its karma, but also gives a companion for the journey to make the stay more pleasurable. The trick of course, is that whether that companion is a good one or a bad one in turn, depends on your previous karma!
There is also another interesting item to note in this question. Why didn't yaksha phrase the question as "who is man's best friend?" Why did he instead phrase it as "who is the friend that is bestowed by divinity?"
In life, friendships are made and not given. We make friends along our life's journey and our actions (karma) determine whether we make friends in good or bad company. However, for a wife to be obtained, other aspects need to click as well. In the past (at least in India or bhAratavarsha) marriages were determined by parents, alliances, etc. Even svayamvara could be considered as a limited option and not an unlimited one. Even in current times where it can be argued that a wife (or spouse / partner, more broadly) is determined by our own actions through various apps and social interactions, not all such interactions lead to marriage and even if they do, some end in failed marriages. Similarly, a great friend does not become a life partner automatically nor might be the case that even if they do become a life partner, it may be the case that they don't make a great life partner. On the flip side, many 'arranged' marriages lead to long married life and some do end up in misery.
So, while we can be led to believe that in modern times getting a life partner is out of our own volition and not diviine intervention, the randomness of the success of marriage across these situations could lay proof to yudhisThira's answer that getting a great life partner has an aspect of external or divine intervention in it.
As a result, the dharmic texts place a strong importance to treating one's life partner with respect and care and not as an object or a child bearing machine or as a caretaker. Manusmriti (an often misquoted text) says:
यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते तत्र रमन्ते देवताः
यत्र तु एताः न पूज्यन्ते तत्र सर्वाः क्रियाः अफलाः (3.56)
yatra nAryastu pUjyante tatra ramantE dEvatAH
yatra tu EtAH na pUjyantE tatra sarvAH kriyAH aphalAH
Where worshipping of a woman happens (i.e., where a woman is treated respectfully), the Gods are pleased in such places. Where worshipping of them (i.e., where women are not respected), there all actions become fruitless.
We can see this being true even in modern times where women's rights are trampled systemically. We should not let the history of medieval times cloud the advice from the past.
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