Changes

The Manusmrti states that a student who has studied, in due course, three Vedas, two Vedas or one Veda, enters the state of the householder having never deviated from the vows of brahmacharya (studentship).<ref name=":13">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://ia801603.us.archive.org/33/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46010/2015.46010.Manusmrti--Vol-4.pdf Vol.4]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> <blockquote>वेदानधीत्य वेदौ वा वेदं वापि यथाक्रमम् । अविप्लुतब्रह्मचर्यो गृहस्थाश्रमं आवसेत् । । ३.२ । ।<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3]</ref> vedānadhītya vedau vā vedaṁ vāpi yathākramam । aviplutabrahmacaryo gr̥hasthāśramaṁ āvaset । । 3.2 । ।</blockquote>

The Manusmrti states that a student who has studied, in due course, three Vedas, two Vedas or one Veda, enters the state of the householder having never deviated from the vows of brahmacharya (studentship).<ref name=":13">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://ia801603.us.archive.org/33/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46010/2015.46010.Manusmrti--Vol-4.pdf Vol.4]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> <blockquote>वेदानधीत्य वेदौ वा वेदं वापि यथाक्रमम् । अविप्लुतब्रह्मचर्यो गृहस्थाश्रमं आवसेत् । । ३.२ । ।<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3]</ref> vedānadhītya vedau vā vedaṁ vāpi yathākramam । aviplutabrahmacaryo gr̥hasthāśramaṁ āvaset । । 3.2 । ।</blockquote>

== गृहस्थधर्मः ॥ Grhastha Dharma ==

== गृहस्थधर्मः ॥ Grhastha Dharma ==

The Grhastha is the very heart of the society as everything depends on him.<ref name=":5" />

'''Mahabharata''', Anushasana Parva, Danadharma upaparva contains the details about how a grhastha in different varnas should conduct themselves and the qualities that should be cultured by every grhastha in the Uma Maheshvara Samvada (Adhyayas 140-146).

 

 

 

 

Following the rules of Vrata and Upavasa, doing tapasya, engaging in dana, nourishing the dependent class, being compasionate towards the poor, staying away from other's women, always loving one's wife are the duties of a grhastha.<ref name=":12">Pt. Ramnarayanadutta Shastri Pandey. ''Mahabharata, Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation)'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press (Page 5918)</ref>

 

व्रतोपवासनियमस्तपो दानं च शक्तितः। भरणं भृत्यवर्गस्य दीनानामनुकम्पनम्।।13.211.45 परदारान्निवृत्तिश्च स्वदारेषु रतिः सदा।13.211.46<ref name=":10" />

Among the brahmachari (student), grhastha (householder), Vanaprasthi (hermit) and the Sannyasi (renunciate), in accordance with the injunction of the Vedic texts, the grhastha is declared to be the best as he supports the other three.<ref>Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://archive.org/details/manusmritiwithmedhatithisbhashyaenggnjhavol5_202003_709_l/page/962/mode/2up?view=theater Vol.5]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>

वैवाहिकेऽग्नौ कुर्वीत गृह्यं कर्म यथाविधि । पञ्चयज्ञविधानं च पक्तिं चान्वाहिकीं गृही । । ३.६७[५७ं] । ।<ref name=":0" />

अधीत्य वेदान्कृतसर्वकृत्यः संतानमुत्पाद्य सुखानि भुक्त्वा। समाहितः प्रचरेद्दुश्चरं तं गार्हस्थ्यधर्मं मुनिधर्मजुष्टम्।। 12.60.10 (61.10)<ref name=":6">Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-060 Adhyaya 60]</ref>

Doing homa in the vaivahika agni (the agni in whose presence one's marriage has taken place) as well as Vaishvadeva, Shanti-Paushtika karmas, Nitya paka, etc should be performed by a grhastha.<ref name=":15">Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.343659/page/n217/mode/2up?view=theater The Manusmriti], Lucknow: Newal Kishore Press.</ref>

Having completed the study of Vedas and after having observed the auspicious karmas given in the Vedas, the one who gives birth to his offspring through his wedded wife and upholds the garhasthya dharma that entails duties akin to that of ascetics is the best.

According to the Mahabharata, honouring of guests, protection of the 3 fires (ie. garhapatya and others) is the duty of a grhastha. He must also perform the various ishtis and Pashubandhas according to the vidhis.<ref name=":8" />

'''Mahabharata''', Anushasana Parva, Danadharma upaparva contains the details about how a grhastha in different varnas should conduct themselves and the qualities that should be cultured by every grhastha in the Uma Maheshvara Samvada (Adhyayas 140-146).

== गृहस्थलक्षणानि ॥ Qualities of a Grhastha ==

The Grhastha is the very heart of the society as everything depends on him.<ref name=":5" />

Observing the Pancha Mahayajnas, outer and inner purity, being happy with one's own wife, approaching one's wife for conjugal bliss at the right time alone, being engrossed in dana, yajna and tapas, not travelling to foreign countries and engaging in the study of vedas along with agnihotra are the dharmas of a grhastha.<ref name=":8" />

सर्वेषां अपि चैतेषां वेदस्मृतिविधानतः । गृहस्थ उच्यते श्रेष्ठः स त्रीनेतान्बिभर्ति हि । । ६.८९ । ।<ref name=":11" />

पञ्चयज्ञक्रियाशौचं दारतुष्टिरतन्द्रिता।।13.208.42

Among the brahmachari (student), grhastha (householder), Vanaprasthi (hermit) and the Sannyasi (renunciate), in accordance with the injunction of the Vedic texts, the grhastha is declared to be the best as he supports the other three.<ref>Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://archive.org/details/manusmritiwithmedhatithisbhashyaenggnjhavol5_202003_709_l/page/962/mode/2up?view=theater Vol.5]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>

ऋतुकालाभिगमनं दानयज्ञतपांसि च। अविप्रवासस्तस्येष्टः स्वाध्यायश्वाग्निपूर्वकम्।।13.208.43<ref name=":9" />

अहिंसा सत्यवचनं सर्वभूतानुकम्पनम्। शमो दानं यथाशक्ति गार्हस्थ्यो धर्म उत्तमः॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 141.25)

Those who, being in grhasthashrama, do seva of parents, the women who serve their husbands and the brahmanas who do agnihotra daily, Indra and other devatas as well as the pitrs in the pitrloka become pleased with them and such people are pleased by their own dharma.<ref name=":8" />

Maheshvara explains - Ahimsa (refraining from harming any being), speaking satya (truth), compassion towards all creatures, practicing shama (control of mind and indriyas or sense organs) and giving unto others as per one's capacity (dana) are the greatest dharmas to be followed by a grhastha.<ref name=":8" /> The Bhagavata Purana says,<blockquote>सुशीलो मितभुग्दक्षः श्रद्दधानो जितेन्द्रियः । यावदर्थं व्यवहरेत्स्त्रीषु स्त्रीनिर्जितेषु च ॥ ६॥<ref name=":4">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 12].</ref>

शुश्रूषन्ते ये पितरं मातरं च गृहाश्रमे। भर्तारं चैव या नारी अग्निहोत्रं च ये द्विजाः।।13.211.37

''suśīlo mitabhugdakṣaḥ śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ । yāvadarthaṁ vyavaharetstrīṣu strīnirjiteṣu ca ॥ 6॥''</blockquote>Meaning: He should be of a good character, moderate in eating, alert and prompt (in work), of reverential faith in shastras and self-controlled. It is only when absolutely necessary and to that much extent only that he should deal with women (eg. for getting alms) or with those who are influenced by women.<ref name=":3">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n99 P.no.968-969].</ref>

Following the rules of Vrata and Upavasa, doing tapasya, engaging in dana, nourishing the dependent class, being compasionate towards the poor, staying away from other's women, always loving one's wife are the duties of a grhastha.<ref name=":12">Pt. Ramnarayanadutta Shastri Pandey. ''Mahabharata, Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation)'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press (Page 5918)</ref>

अधीत्य वेदान्कृतसर्वकृत्यः संतानमुत्पाद्य सुखानि भुक्त्वा। समाहितः प्रचरेद्दुश्चरं तं गार्हस्थ्यधर्मं मुनिधर्मजुष्टम्।। 12.60.10 (61.10)<ref name=":6">Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-060 Adhyaya 60]</ref>

व्रतोपवासनियमस्तपो दानं च शक्तितः। भरणं भृत्यवर्गस्य दीनानामनुकम्पनम्।।13.211.45 परदारान्निवृत्तिश्च स्वदारेषु रतिः सदा।13.211.46<ref name=":10" />

Having completed the study of Vedas and after having observed the auspicious karmas given in the Vedas, the one who gives birth to his offspring through his wedded wife and upholds the garhasthya dharma that entails duties akin to that of ascetics is the best.

Speaking about the importance of the virtue of being devoted to one's wife alone, the Mahabharata says,  

Speaking about the importance of the virtue of being devoted to one's wife alone, the Mahabharata says,

शरीरमेकं दंपत्योर्विधात्रा पूर्वनिर्मितम्। तस्मात्स्वदारनिरतो ब्रह्मचारी विधीयते।।13.211.46<ref name=":10" />

शरीरमेकं दंपत्योर्विधात्रा पूर्वनिर्मितम्। तस्मात्स्वदारनिरतो ब्रह्मचारी विधीयते।।13.211.46<ref name=":10" />

The creator, in ancient times, had made a single body for a couple. Therefore, the one who is engaged with his wife alone is considered a brahmachari.<ref name=":12" />

The creator, in ancient times, had made a single body for a couple. Therefore, the one who is engaged with his wife alone is considered a brahmachari.<ref name=":12" />

पञ्चयज्ञविशुद्धात्मा ऋतुनित्योऽनसूयकः। दान्तो ब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता सुसंमृष्टनिवेशनः।।13.211.12

पञ्चयज्ञविशुद्धात्मा ऋतुनित्योऽनसूयकः। दान्तो ब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता सुसंमृष्टनिवेशनः।।13.211.12

पाद्यमर्घ्यं यथान्यायमासनं शयनं तथा। दीपं प्रतिश्रयं चैव यो ददाति स धार्मिकः।।13.211.14<ref name=":10" />

पाद्यमर्घ्यं यथान्यायमासनं शयनं तथा। दीपं प्रतिश्रयं चैव यो ददाति स धार्मिकः।।13.211.14<ref name=":10" />

'''Manusmrti'''

'''Mahabharata''', Anushasana Parva, Danadharma upaparva contains the details about how a grhastha in different varnas should conduct themselves and the qualities that should be cultured by every grhastha in the Uma Maheshvara Samvada (Adhyayas 140-146).

वैवाहिकेऽग्नौ कुर्वीत गृह्यं कर्म यथाविधि । पञ्चयज्ञविधानं च पक्तिं चान्वाहिकीं गृही । । ३.६७[५७ं] । ।<ref name=":0" />

Those who, being in grhasthashrama, do seva of parents, the women who serve their husbands and the brahmanas who do agnihotra daily, Indra and other devatas as well as the pitrs in the pitrloka become pleased with them and such people are pleased by their own dharma.<ref name=":8" />

A grhastha should perform grhya rites in the Vaivahika agni as well as the Panchamahayajnas and Nitya Paka.<ref name=":13" />

शुश्रूषन्ते ये पितरं मातरं च गृहाश्रमे। भर्तारं चैव या नारी अग्निहोत्रं च ये द्विजाः।।13.211.37

तेषुतेषु च प्रीणन्ति देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमाः। पितरः पितृलोकस्थाः स्वधर्मेण स रज्यते।।13.211.38<ref name=":10" />

 

 

<blockquote>अहिंसा सत्यवचनं सर्वभूतानुकम्पनम्। शमो दानं यथाशक्ति गार्हस्थ्यो धर्म उत्तमः॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 141.25)</blockquote>Maheshvara explains - Ahimsa (refraining from harming any being), speaking satya (truth), compassion towards all creatures, practicing shama (control of mind and indriyas or sense organs) and giving unto others as per one's capacity (dana) are the greatest dharmas to be followed by a grhastha.<ref name=":8" /> The Bhagavata Purana says,<blockquote>सुशीलो मितभुग्दक्षः श्रद्दधानो जितेन्द्रियः । यावदर्थं व्यवहरेत्स्त्रीषु स्त्रीनिर्जितेषु च ॥ ६॥<ref name=":4">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 12].</ref>

 

''suśīlo mitabhugdakṣaḥ śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ । yāvadarthaṁ vyavaharetstrīṣu strīnirjiteṣu ca ॥ 6॥''</blockquote>Meaning: He should be of a good character, moderate in eating, alert and prompt (in work), of reverential faith in shastras and self-controlled. It is only when absolutely necessary and to that much extent only that he should deal with women (eg. for getting alms) or with those who are influenced by women.<ref name=":3">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n99 P.no.968-969].</ref>

== Conduct of a Grhastha ==

== Conduct of a Grhastha ==