The masses are not as intellectually evolved; they would walk away from a live-in anytime. Has no stability, especially for women who have to care for children. The marriage framework helps kids as well to foster a family concept, although not a guarantee. The Yama Niyama of Yoga, Integral or not, is imperative for discipline regardless of institutionalization. So is Marriage. As a concept still going strong globally!
Yes, I agree that for the average human being, these outer frameworks and social institutions do serve a purpose of holding people together. Of course, as I mentioned, marriage or not, love and togetherness can be beautiful and ought to be so. But for that, man needs to evolve beyond the present frameworks, which operate as long as one accepts the limits of dos and don’ts. But if the need to go further, to evolve beyond the scope that family provides, the same framework that provides stability becomes a fetter. In an average framework of marriage, in all societies and ages of mankind, women, for whatever valid or invalid reasons, have much less freedom to evolve freely along the lines of their true calling, as they are a lot more bound by duties and social, family obligations. It is much easier for Prince Siddharth to walk away in search of Truth than for Meera. At least this has been the case so far, though times are changing now.
The same applies to Yama Niyama. A rule followed when imposed by law for fear of punishment, here or hereafter, has much less inner value than when it is accepted freely by an individual because he or she believes it to be the right thing to do. That is why whenever creation or a society enters an evolutionary mode, the old order breaks down. During such a transition, as we are witnessing now, the old institutions must evolve new ways and forms while keeping the spirit intact. Else they simply collapse. Marraige too, if it must survive and grow, must go back to its spirit and take into account the new evolutionary urge. All institutions need to grow wider and more supple and allow sufficient freedom, else they are likely to suffer breakdown of their established systems.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
