Every year on February 14th, the world is swept up in a “blind storm” (andh-parampra) of commercialized romance. Markets are flooded with greeting cards and flowers, yet the actual man behind the name—Saint Valentine—is often forgotten or misunderstood. Sant Asaramji Bapu has often shared that the modern celebration of this day frequently insults the memory of the very saint it claims to honor. By looking at the history provided by Pujyashree, we find a story not of fleeting attraction, but of profound sacrifice, the sanctity of marriage, and a deep respect for Brahmacharya (celibacy).
Focused Explanation: The Priest and the King
According to the historical accounts shared by Sant Asaramji Bapu, the history of this day dates back to ancient Rome during the reign of King Claudius. The King, recognizing the importance of physical strength and mental efficiency in his army, forbade his soldiers from marrying. He believed that marriage would distract them and weaken their resolve in battle.
Saint Valentine was a Christian priest (padri) during this time. As a priest, he was a practitioner of Brahmacharya (celibacy) and held high moral values. Because he was a man of God, he was certainly not an opponent of self-restraint; however, he recognized that the King’s forced prohibition on marriage was causing distress to those who wished to lead a settled, dharmic life.
To uphold the sacred bond of marriage, Saint Valentine performed secret wedding ceremonies for these soldiers. He sacrificed his safety to ensure that people could live according to traditional family values. Eventually, King Claudius discovered these secret acts, declared Valentine a criminal, and sentenced him to death. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius established February 14th in his memory to honor his sacrifice for the sanctity of marriage.
The Distortion of “Love”
Sant Asaramji Bapu highlights a critical irony in modern celebrations. Today, many youths use Saint Valentine’s name to justify pre-marital romantic pursuits and sensory attractions. Pujyashree notes that if Saint Valentine had supported illicit or casual romance, he would never have risked his life to perform formal marriages.
The sources define true love in a beautiful Hindi phrase:
“निनदोि, ननष्किट, ननिःस्वाथश, ननवाशसननक स्नेह को पे्रम कहते हैं”
(Nirdosh, nishkapat, nihswarth, nirvasanik sneh ko prem kahte hain). This translates to: “Innocent, guileless, selfless, and desire-less affection is called love.”
Modern trends, however, often clothe “lust” (Kaam) in the “cloak of love” (prem ka jama). While Kaam resides in the lower centers of the human system and leads to excitement and blindness, true Prem resides in the higher centers and fosters insight and understanding.
Relevance to Parents Worship Day
Because the modern “Valentine’s Day” has moved so far from the saint’s original values of marriage and restraint, Sant Asaramji Bapu initiated Matri Pitri Poojan Diwas (Parents Worship Day) as a constructive alternative. Bapuji warns that the current Western imitation leads to an “era of destruction” for youth, resulting in depression, hollowness, and the loss of vital energy (Ojas-Tejas).
By shifting the focus from romantic attraction to parental gratitude, Pujyashree aims to:
• Transform Lust into Ramras: Change sensory desires into divine nectar (Ramras or Prabhuras).
• Protect Youth Health: Prevent the early aging and mental health crises mentioned in global reports like the Innocenti Report Card.
• Restore Traditional Values: Reconnect with the Vedic command “मातदेृवो भव। पितदेृवो भव” (Matridevo Bhava. Pitridevo Bhava), meaning “Treat your mother and father as God.”
Key Takeaways
• St. Valentine was a Priest: As a priest, he valued the discipline of celibacy and the formal commitment of marriage.
• A Sacrifice for Marriage: He was executed for performing secret, legitimate weddings, not for promoting casual romance.
• Modern Misuse: Celebrating the day through illicit relationships actually insults the priest’s sacrifice.
• Higher vs. Lower Centers: Respect for parents elevates a student’s energy to higher centers of wisdom, while lust traps energy in lower centers of excitement.
• A Universal Alternative: Matri Pitri Poojan is a day of “real love” that benefits everyone, regardless of religion or nationality.
Conclusion
The true history of Saint Valentine is a testament to the importance of the family unit and the courage to uphold moral values. As Sant Asaramji Bapu suggests, we should not blindly imitate a culture that is itself struggling with social decay. Instead, we should honor the spirit of sacrifice and love by turning toward our first teachers—our parents. In doing so, we fulfill the saint’s true legacy: the protection of character and the celebration of selfless, pure affection.