Grihasthashrama dharma
Grihasthashrama dharma is one of the major Stages of the human life. It is part of third stage of life, Yauvana. This Yauvana stage is divided into two parts, Brahmacharin and Grihastha. We have learnt something about Brahmacharin in the previous chapter. Now let us know about Grihastha Ashrama dharma in this chapter. Actually Grihastha means a householder. A grihastha is variously called as Agna, Arya, Vaish, Vaiswanara, etc., during Vedic times.
In the previous chapter we have discussed the duties of a man as Brahmacharin during his studies and his obligations to enter into Grihastha Ashrama dharma after finishing his studies. A Brahmacharin after fulfilling his duties as a student should enter into Grihastha Ashrama in order to discharge his debts towards Pitaras and Gods.
(This page is an extract from Chapter 21, ‘Griasthashrama dharma’ in author’s BOOK: “A Tribute to the Ancient World of India“)
But it shall be noted that all need not follow this norm or that in a perfect way. There is no hard and fast rule for everyone to get into this or that Ashrama. One may skip studying scriptures and may become a Grihastha directly. One may continue to be a Brahmacharin forever and may become a Rushi or Acharya. Some may chose to be Rudra or Dasushe and so on.
However, in the grand olden days procreation is a very important aspect of life, because, one who had had a large family will get more hands to produce. Prosperity of a family depends on the numerical strength of contributing hands. So, more children mean more prosperity and also more security for the family and thence to the community. So a Kula ( = family) which has a higher number of members in it produces more than others thereby control wealth and in addition commands respect in the society. By procreation a man as a householder would also discharge his eternal debts to his ancestors. Let us see what sage Parasara says about the greatness of a Grihastha,
वानप्रस्थॊ ब्रह्मचारी यतिव तध द्विजाः
गृहस्थस्य प्रसादॆन जीवन्यॆतॆ यथाविधिः
गृहस्थ ऎव यजति गृहस्थ्स्तप्यतॆ तपः
ददातिच गृहस्था तस्माच्छ्रॆयॊ गृहाश्रमॆ (पराशर मुनि उवाच)
vAnaprasthO brahmacArI yatiScaiva tadha dvijAH
gRuhasthasya prasAdEna jIvanyEtE yathAvidhiH
gRuhastha Eva yajati gRuhasthstapyatE tapaH
dadAtica gRuhasthaSca tasmAcCrEyO gRuhASramE
– Sage Parasara
Accordingly, ” Hermits, students, recluses, twice born and all depend on a householder for alms. By contributing to the needs of these people a Grihastha is doing a kind of Tapas. Hence, Grihastha Ashrama dharma is nobler than any other Ashrama dharmas.”
प्रजयाहिमनुष्यः पूर्णः
And, it is said that a man would not be considered a full human being unless he is married and takes up the hand of a bride for the sake of procreation. That means a man’s primary duty is to discharge his eternal debt towards his ancestors by begetting children. And Manu Smriti praises a Grihastha as follows,
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यथा वायुं समा श्रित्य वर्तंतॆ सर्वजंतव:
तथा गृहस्थमाश्रित्य वर्तंतॆ सर्व आश्रमा:(मनु स्मृति)
yathA vAyuM samA Sritya vartaMtE sarvajaMtava:
tathA gRuhasthamASritya vartaMtE sarva ASramA:
(manu smRuti)
Accordingly, “A householder is just like what Oxygen is for all living beings.”
यधा नदीनदास्सर्वॆ सागरॆ यांति संस्धितिम
तधैवाश्रमिणस्सर्वॆ गृहस्धॆ यांति संस्धितिम.
yadhaa nadInadaassarvE saagarE yaaMti saMsdhitim
tadhaivaaSramiNassarvE gRuhasdhE yaaMti saMsdhitim.
(manu smRuti)
Accordingly, “Similar to all streams and rivers reaching the ocean, all men who live in other Stages (Ashramas) of life depend upon a Householder”. (It should be noted that not only hermits and Brahmacharins but also parents, children, servants and all depend on a Grihastha in India.)
सर्वॆषामपि चैतॆषां वॆदस्मृतिविधानतः
गृहस्ध उच्यतॆ श्रॆष्ठः स त्रीनॆताक बिभ र्ति हि(मनु स्मृति)
sarvEShAmapi caitEShAM vEdasmRutividhAnataH
gRuhasdha ucyatE SrEShThaH sa trInEtAk biBa rti hi
(manu smRuti)
Accordingly, ” all smritis and srutis praise a householder because all other four Ashrama people feed on him, so a householder is great when compared to all others “.
We have to understand that institutions of Brahmacharin and Grihasta even though preach and practice different and opposite ideals both are held in high esteem by the ancient society. A Brahmachari (a child) is contributed by Grihasthas to the institution of Learning. A Brahmachari by studying scriptures contributes to the society by way of preserving sacred scriptures for posterity. After learning scriptures, a Brahmachari could shed his avatar as Brahmachari and join Grihasta Ashrama. And after fulfilling his duties as Grihastha he could get back to forests as Vanaprastha. After Vanaprastha he could opt to become a Sanyasi.
No individual is forced to follow this norm or that. One could remain in the Gurukula or College even after learning some scriptures and become Acharya by mastering the scriptures. And the blessed would become Brahma Prajapati later. Some may become Sages.
And some may remain in Grihasta ashrama after Brahmacharya and continue to live in his community as an elderly person (as Agna, Arya). Individual freedom was never restricted and no persecution is reported in Indian History. But we would learn from the subsequent chapters that those who do not follow social and family virtues and indulge in immoral activities and who forgets his social responsibility, who ridicules and harasses Brahma and who neglects Devi worship were punished.
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