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We shall discuss about family with Bharatiya perspectives, their associations, functionality, the continuity of the family, importance of vivaha samskara, and modern outlook in this article.

We shall discuss about family with Bharatiya perspectives, their associations, functionality, the continuity of the family, importance of vivaha samskara, and modern outlook in this article.

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

Human nature is defined as the inevitability of having to breathe, eat and drink, sleep, procreate, eliminate waste matter. While some of these functions, are performed individually, others cannot be so performed until humans organize themselves into cooperative groups. The groups that come into existence have the above reasons as a cause and the binding forces include several simple and complex principles of integration. Most obvious is the relationship between different members of a family based on marriage and on descent. Primarily, relationship is of three-fold nature, that between

Human nature is defined as the inevitability of having to breathe, eat and drink, sleep, procreate, eliminate waste matter. While some of these functions, are performed individually, others cannot be so performed until humans organize themselves into cooperative groups. The groups that come into existence have the above reasons as a cause and the binding forces include several simple and complex principles of integration. Most obvious is the relationship between different members of a family based on marriage and on descent. Primarily, relationship is of three-fold nature, that between

* husband and wife

* husband and wife

The family is composed of a number of members  living together in a home. They have definite purposes in living together. Thus a family is an associated group of people governed by certain rules and procedures. In this sense the family is an institution.  

The family is composed of a number of members  living together in a home. They have definite purposes in living together. Thus a family is an associated group of people governed by certain rules and procedures. In this sense the family is an institution.  

In India, the gotra system has greatly contributed to the evolution of family structure across various cultural groups in India. Vivaha samskara is based on the gotra system, thus directly playing a role in the family structure. Indian society has been unique in world history because of its value system. The value system embedded in the dharmic lifestyle has shaped the social behavior of a person as well as the social institutions. The traditional value system was laid down by the ancient Indian seers, and they include karma, punarjanma, purusharthas, varnas, ashrama vyavastha, samskaras.   

In India, the gotra system has greatly contributed to the evolution of family structure across various cultural groups in India. [[Vivaha (विवाहः)|Vivaha samskara]] is based on the gotra system, thus directly playing a role in the family structure. Indian society has been unique in world history because of its value system. The value system embedded in the dharmic lifestyle has shaped the social behavior of a person as well as the social institutions. The traditional value system was laid down by the ancient Indian seers, and they include the knowledge and actions based on concepts such as [[karma]], punarjanma, purusharthas, [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|varnas]], [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashrama]], and [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]].   

== Origin of the Family ==

== कुटुम्बव्यवस्था ॥ Familial Organization ==

Much sociological and anthropological research has gone into examining the historical origins of the family. Western researchers such as Lewis Morgan, Westermarck He and Briffault gave their theories about the origins of the family. While a few theories have been propounded, many scholars regarded the relative futility and uselessness of such activity. Data collected by conscientious investigators from all parts of the globe, at all levels of culture, have borne evidence to the existence of the family.<ref name=":0" />  

Much sociological and anthropological research has gone into examining the historical origins of the family. Western researchers such as Lewis Morgan, Westermarck He and Briffault gave their theories about the origins of the family. While a few theories have been propounded, many scholars regarded the relative futility and uselessness of such activity. Data collected by conscientious investigators from all parts of the globe, at all levels of culture, have borne evidence to the existence of the family.<ref name=":0" />  

The family is based on simple and obvious facts. It involves the recognition of just those who are closely related to one’s self through constant physical contiguity, physical cooperation, emotional bonds, and blood ties. Many opine that the family must have always existed, coevolving with the human culture.<ref name=":0" />

The family is based on simple and obvious facts. It involves the recognition of just those who are closely related to one’s self through constant physical contiguity, physical cooperation, emotional bonds, and blood ties. Many opine that the family must have always existed, coevolving with the human culture.<ref name=":0" />

== Definition of Family ==

== कुटुम्बस्य परिभाषा॥ Definition of Family ==

A number of modern sociologists and social scientists have defined the family in a number of ways. Many opine that the family is a definite and long-term group defined by the conjugal relationships that reproduce and bring up children. It may include other blood-relations also but it is mainly formed by living together of man, woman and their children. The unit formed by their living together is called family. When people of many generations and relatives can also live together in a family. The unit that is thus formed is called ‘dynasty’ by Ogburn and Nimkoff. They distinguished between family and dynasty.<ref name=":0" />  

A number of modern sociologists and social scientists have defined the family in a number of ways. Many opine that the family is a definite and long-term group defined by the conjugal relationships that reproduce and bring up children. It may include other blood-relations also but it is mainly formed by living together of man, woman and their children. The unit formed by their living together is called family. When people of many generations and relatives can also live together in a family. The unit that is thus formed is called ‘dynasty’ by Ogburn and Nimkoff. They distinguished between family and dynasty.<ref name=":0" />  

The families of India, however, comprised of the husband, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and parents, as is fully indicated by various Grhya karmas. It includes even the students, who has the authority to perform regular worship in the Grhyagni of a grhastha, in his absence. Grhyagni was the symbol of a household and each household must possess its own Grhyagni. The existence of a joint family system is indicated by several Sutras. Contrary to the sociologists' views of just the husband, wife and children constituting a family, the Indian family system advocated a united undivided family consisting of the parents, siblings and even students. It is no wonder that our seers expressed that the world is one family, "vasudaiva kutumbakam" which aptly depicts the inclusiveness of the sanatana kutumba vyavastha. <blockquote>अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् ।</blockquote><blockquote>उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥ ७१॥  (Maha. Upan. 6.71)</blockquote>We find the following version of the same purport in use.<blockquote>अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्॥</blockquote><blockquote>ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām । udāracaritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam ॥</blockquote>

The families of India, however, comprised of the husband, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and parents, as is fully indicated by various rites given in the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]]. The [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|grhasthashrama]] of a person is considered the basis of a family. A grhastha is the householder, who founds a family after [[Vivaha (विवाहः)|vivaha samskara]] and supports people who are in other ashramas. Grhyagni was the symbol of a household and each household must possess its own Grhyagni. Families in India, since ancient times, were mostly patriarchal in character. In the Grhyasutras we find various samskaras and grhya yajnas involving different members of the family, the rights and duties entailed for them. For example, in the Grhapravesha ceremony, the sutras enjoin that the husband enters the newly-built house in the company of his wife and eldest son, and the daughter or sister are to light the fire in the kitchen in the new house. A family includes even the students, who has the authority to perform regular worship in the Grhyagni of a grhastha, in his absence. The existence of a joint family system is indicated by several Sutras.<ref name=":02">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House (Pages 438 - 449)</ref>

 

Contrary to the sociologists' views of just the husband, wife and children constituting a family, the Indian family system advocated a united undivided family consisting of the parents, siblings and even students. It is no wonder that our seers expressed that the world is one family, "vasudaiva kutumbakam" which aptly depicts the inclusiveness of the sanatana kutumba vyavastha. <blockquote>अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् ।</blockquote><blockquote>उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥ ७१॥  (Maha. Upan. 6.71)<ref>Mahopanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Adhyaya 6])</ref></blockquote>We find the following version of the same purport in usage.<blockquote>अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्॥</blockquote><blockquote>ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām । udāracaritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam ॥</blockquote>

== References ==

== References ==

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