Ethical Principles in Private Relationships

1. Care and Affection

• Emotional bond of affection and care goes beyond limitations
• This bond is driven by human emotions rather than legal rules or quid pro quo
• Example: King Dhritrashtra's unconditional affection for his sons in Mahabharata

2. Fidelity

• Key driver of marital relationship and essence of Ethics of marriage
• Refers to being loyal to one’s life partner and avoiding sensual distraction or committing adulterous act

3. Confidentiality

• Secrecy and privacy are of paramount importance to maintain sanctity of private relationships
• Example: restraining oneself from sharing secrets of friends, colleagues, life partners without their permission to avoid disharmony

4. Truthfulness

• Key demand in private relationships
• Amplifies mutual trust and strengthens emotional bonds
• Example: being truthful to avoid unnecessary conflicts arising from alleged suspicious activities

5. Responsibility & Accountability

• Various responsibilities towards children, life partners, parents, etc.
• Requires fulfilling responsibility and being accountable in case of non-fulfilment
• Example: taking care of one's children and being accountable to them

6. Tolerance and acceptance of minor imperfections

• Human beings cannot achieve perfection, leading to conflicts in private relationships in the absence of prescribed rules and regulations
• One must accommodate the imperfections of others to bring peace and harmony
• Example: tolerating one's partner's introverted nature for a peaceful marital life.