Grihasthashrama dharma
Grihasthashrama dharma: Grihastha means a householderman. Ashrama means a stage of life or an abode in one’s life. Dharma means social duty. The Grihasthashrama dharma envisages that one should join the phase of Grihastha ashrama after Brahmacharya and perform his duties as a householderman in order to discharge his eternal debts (Pitru rina) towards his ancestors.
Brahmachari
Brahmacharins and Grihasthas, even though they preach and practice different and opposite ideals both the practices are held in high esteem by the ancient Indians. It is interesting to note that a Brahmachari, the student of vedic studies is contributed by Gruhasthas 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 Gruhasta Ashrama. And after fulfilling his duties as Gruhastha he could get back to forests as Vanaprastha. After Vanaprastha he could opt to become a Sanyasi. (The following text is an extract from Chapter 20, Gruhasthashrama dharma in author’s BOOK: “A Tribute to the Ancient World of India“)
No individual is compelled 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 Gruhasta 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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