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adhītya vedānkr̥tasarvakr̥tyaḥ saṁtānamutpādya sukhāni bhuktvā। samāhitaḥ pracaredduścaraṁ taṁ gārhasthyadharmaṁ munidharmajuṣṭam।।12.60.10</blockquote>The Manusmrti also iterates that among the brahmachari (student), grhastha (householder), Vanaprasthi (hermit) and the Sannyasi (renunciate), 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><blockquote>सर्वेषां अपि चैतेषां वेदस्मृतिविधानतः । गृहस्थ उच्यते श्रेष्ठः स त्रीनेतान्बिभर्ति हि । । ६.८९ । ।<ref name=":11" />

adhītya vedānkr̥tasarvakr̥tyaḥ saṁtānamutpādya sukhāni bhuktvā। samāhitaḥ pracaredduścaraṁ taṁ gārhasthyadharmaṁ munidharmajuṣṭam।।12.60.10</blockquote>The Manusmrti also iterates that among the brahmachari (student), grhastha (householder), Vanaprasthi (hermit) and the Sannyasi (renunciate), 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><blockquote>सर्वेषां अपि चैतेषां वेदस्मृतिविधानतः । गृहस्थ उच्यते श्रेष्ठः स त्रीनेतान्बिभर्ति हि । । ६.८९ । ।<ref name=":11" />

sarveṣāṁ api caiteṣāṁ vedasmr̥tividhānataḥ । gr̥hastha ucyate śreṣṭhaḥ sa trīnetānbibharti hi । । 6.89 । ।</blockquote>According to the Bhagavata Purana, a grhastha should be of a good character, moderate in eating, alert and prompt (in work), of reverential faith in shastras and self-controlled. It states that only when absolutely necessary and to that much extent only that a grhastha should deal with women (eg. for getting bhiksha) 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><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>  

sarveṣāṁ api caiteṣāṁ vedasmr̥tividhānataḥ । gr̥hastha ucyate śreṣṭhaḥ sa trīnetānbibharti hi । । 6.89 । ।</blockquote>According to the Bhagavata Purana, a grhastha should be of a good character, moderate in eating, alert and prompt (in work), of reverential faith in shastras and self-controlled. It states that only when absolutely necessary and to that much extent only that a grhastha should deal with women (eg. for getting bhiksha) 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><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>The Mahabharata mentions that only that grhastha is considered righteous who purifies his mind by performing the Panchamahayajnas, who always speaks the truth, who does not see fault in others, gives dana, honours brahmanas, who keeps his house spic and span, gives up his pride, is always straightforward, speaks lovingly, puts his mind in serving guests and visitors, partakes the food of yajnas and offers as per shastras padya, arghya, seat, cot, light and place to stay for a guest.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>पञ्चयज्ञविशुद्धात्मा ऋतुनित्योऽनसूयकः। दान्तो ब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता सुसंमृष्टनिवेशनः।।१३.२११.१२

 

''suśīlo mitabhugdakṣaḥ śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ । yāvadarthaṁ vyavaharetstrīṣu strīnirjiteṣu ca ॥ 6॥''</blockquote>The Mahabharata mentions that only that grhastha is considered righteous who purifies his mind by performing the Panchamahayajnas, who always speaks the truth, who does not see fault in others, gives dana, honours brahmanas, who keeps his house spic and span, gives up his pride, is always straightforward, speaks lovingly, puts his mind in serving guests and visitors, partakes the food of yajnas and offers as per shastras padya, arghya, seat, cot, light and place to stay for a guest.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>पञ्चयज्ञविशुद्धात्मा ऋतुनित्योऽनसूयकः। दान्तो ब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता सुसंमृष्टनिवेशनः।।१३.२११.१२

चक्षुःश्रोत्रमनोजिह्वास्निग्धवर्णप्रदः सदा। अतिथ्यभ्यागतरतः शेषान्नकृतभोजनः।।१३.२११.१३

चक्षुःश्रोत्रमनोजिह्वास्निग्धवर्णप्रदः सदा। अतिथ्यभ्यागतरतः शेषान्नकृतभोजनः।।१३.२११.१३

cakṣuḥśrotramanojihvāsnigdhavarṇapradaḥ sadā। atithyabhyāgatarataḥ śeṣānnakr̥tabhojanaḥ।।13.211.13

cakṣuḥśrotramanojihvāsnigdhavarṇapradaḥ sadā। atithyabhyāgatarataḥ śeṣānnakr̥tabhojanaḥ।।13.211.13

pādyamarghyaṁ yathānyāyamāsanaṁ śayanaṁ tathā। dīpaṁ pratiśrayaṁ caiva yo dadāti sa dhārmikaḥ।।13.211.14</blockquote>

pādyamarghyaṁ yathānyāyamāsanaṁ śayanaṁ tathā। dīpaṁ pratiśrayaṁ caiva yo dadāti sa dhārmikaḥ।।13.211.14</blockquote>Infact, the Bhagavata Purana emphasizes that a grhastha should look upon deers, camels, donkeys, monkeys, rats, serpents, birds and flies like one's own sons, for there is very little difference between them and one's offsprings. Implying that they must not be driven out of the house or fields if they enter and begin to eat. <ref name=":1" /><blockquote>मृगोष्ट्रखरमर्काखु सरीसृप्खगमक्षिकाः । आत्मनः पुत्रवत्पश्येत् तैरेषामन्तरं कियत् ॥ ९ ॥<ref>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%AA Adhyaya 14]</ref>

 

 

=== गृहस्थस्य व्यवहारः ॥ Conduct of a Grhastha ===

=== गृहस्थस्य व्यवहारः ॥ Conduct of a Grhastha ===

svadāratuṣṭastvr̥tukālagāmī niyogasevī na śaṭho na jihnaḥ। mitāśano devarataḥ kr̥tajñaḥ satyo mr̥duścānr̥śaṁsaḥ kṣamāvān।।12.60.11</blockquote>Elaborating on the virtue of being devoted to one's wife alone, the Mahabharata says,<blockquote>शरीरमेकं दंपत्योर्विधात्रा पूर्वनिर्मितम्। तस्मात्स्वदारनिरतो ब्रह्मचारी विधीयते।।१३.२११.४६<ref name=":10" />

svadāratuṣṭastvr̥tukālagāmī niyogasevī na śaṭho na jihnaḥ। mitāśano devarataḥ kr̥tajñaḥ satyo mr̥duścānr̥śaṁsaḥ kṣamāvān।।12.60.11</blockquote>Elaborating on the virtue of being devoted to one's wife alone, the Mahabharata says,<blockquote>शरीरमेकं दंपत्योर्विधात्रा पूर्वनिर्मितम्। तस्मात्स्वदारनिरतो ब्रह्मचारी विधीयते।।१३.२११.४६<ref name=":10" />

śarīramekaṁ daṁpatyorvidhātrā pūrvanirmitam। tasmātsvadāranirato brahmacārī vidhīyate।।13.211.46</blockquote>Meaning: 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 Mahabharata emphasizes that a grhastha in this world should observe truthfulness, straightforwardness, atithi satkara, dharma, artha, devotion to his wife and happiness. Only then does he obtain happiness in the other world.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>सत्यार्जवं चातिथिपूजनं च धर्मस्तथार्थश्च रतिः स्वदारैः। निषेवितव्यानि सुखानि लोके ह्यस्मिन्परे चैव मतं ममैतत्।।१२.६०.१४<ref name=":6" />

śarīramekaṁ daṁpatyorvidhātrā pūrvanirmitam। tasmātsvadāranirato brahmacārī vidhīyate।।13.211.46</blockquote>Meaning: 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 Mahabharata emphasizes that a grhastha in this world should observe truthfulness, straightforwardness, atithi satkara, dharma, artha, devotion to his wife and happiness. Only then does he obtain happiness in the other world.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>सत्यार्जवं चातिथिपूजनं च धर्मस्तथार्थश्च रतिः स्वदारैः। निषेवितव्यानि सुखानि लोके ह्यस्मिन्परे चैव मतं ममैतत्।।१२.६०.१४<ref name=":6" />

satyārjavaṁ cātithipūjanaṁ ca dharmastathārthaśca ratiḥ svadāraiḥ। niṣevitavyāni sukhāni loke hyasminpare caiva mataṁ mamaitat।।12.60.14</blockquote>

satyārjavaṁ cātithipūjanaṁ ca dharmastathārthaśca ratiḥ svadāraiḥ। niṣevitavyāni sukhāni loke hyasminpare caiva mataṁ mamaitat।।12.60.14</blockquote>

==== उपजीविकानियमाः ॥ Codes of Subsistence ====

==== उपजीविकानियमाः ॥ Codes of Subsistence ====

It is said that a householder should earn money by honest means and distribute it in the proper manner. He should spend one-tenth of his income in charity and enjoy sensual pleasures within the limits of the moral law.<ref name=":5" /> The Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva) while speaking of  Pravrtti dharma for grhasthas states how wealth earned  through rightful means should be utilised by dividing it into 3 portions.<blockquote>एकेनांशेन धर्मार्थः कर्तव्यो हितमिच्छता। एकेनांशेन कामार्थमेकमंशं विवर्धयेत्।।१३.२११.१७<ref name=":10" />

It is said that a householder should earn money by honest means and distribute it in the proper manner. He should spend one-tenth of his income in charity and enjoy sensual pleasures within the limits of the moral law.<ref name=":5" /> The Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva) while speaking of  Pravrtti dharma for grhasthas states how wealth earned  through rightful means should be utilised by dividing it into 3 portions.<blockquote>एकेनांशेन धर्मार्थः कर्तव्यो हितमिच्छता। एकेनांशेन कामार्थमेकमंशं विवर्धयेत्।।१३.२११.१७<ref name=":10" /> ekenāṁśena dharmārthaḥ kartavyo hitamicchatā। ekenāṁśena kāmārthamekamaṁśaṁ vivardhayet।।13.211.17</blockquote>Meaning: One desirous of upliftment must acquire dharma and artha with one portion, the second portion should be utilised for one's expenses while the third should be increased.<ref name=":8">Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey, Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation), Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref>

 

 

ekenāṁśena dharmārthaḥ kartavyo hitamicchatā। ekenāṁśena kāmārthamekamaṁśaṁ vivardhayet।।13.211.17</blockquote>Meaning: One desirous of upliftment must acquire dharma and artha with one portion, the second portion should be utilised for one's expenses while the third should be increased.<ref name=":8">Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey, Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation), Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref>

At the same time, the Bhagavata Purana also emphasizes that embodied beings can lay claim only to that much wealth as is necessary for filling one's stomach. And one who lays claims on the surplus is a thief and deserves punishment.<ref name=":1" />  

=== गृहस्थकर्माणि ॥ Activities of a Grhastha ===

=== गृहस्थकर्माणि ॥ Activities of a Grhastha ===

The Mahabharata states that a grhasthashrami should control his indriyas and accept the instruction of the shastras, never fail to offer havya and kavya offering in honour of the devatas and pitrs respectively, always offer annadana to brahmanas, defer from jealousy and hatred, offer food to other ashramis and nourish them and always be engaged in yajnas and yagas.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>दान्तो विधेयो हव्यकव्याप्रमत्तो ह्यन्नस्य दाता सततं द्विजेभ्यः। अमत्सरी सर्वलिङ्गप्रदाता वैताननित्यश्च गृहाश्रमी स्यात्।।१२.६०.१२<ref name=":6" />

The Mahabharata states that a grhasthashrami should control his indriyas and accept the instruction of the shastras, never fail to offer havya and kavya offering in honour of the devatas and pitrs respectively, always offer annadana to brahmanas, defer from jealousy and hatred, offer food to other ashramis and nourish them and always be engaged in yajnas and yagas.<ref name=":14" /><blockquote>दान्तो विधेयो हव्यकव्याप्रमत्तो ह्यन्नस्य दाता सततं द्विजेभ्यः। अमत्सरी सर्वलिङ्गप्रदाता वैताननित्यश्च गृहाश्रमी स्यात्।।१२.६०.१२<ref name=":6" />

yatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti gāṁ dattvā vidhivadguroḥ । tatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti bhikṣāṁ dattvā dvijo gr̥hī । । 3.95 । ।</blockquote>It also specifies how a grhastha should honour a guest.<blockquote>संप्राप्ताय त्वतिथये प्रदद्यादासनोदके । अन्नं चैव यथाशक्ति सत्कृत्य विधिपूर्वकम् । । ३.९९ । ।<ref name=":0" />

yatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti gāṁ dattvā vidhivadguroḥ । tatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti bhikṣāṁ dattvā dvijo gr̥hī । । 3.95 । ।</blockquote>It also specifies how a grhastha should honour a guest.<blockquote>संप्राप्ताय त्वतिथये प्रदद्यादासनोदके । अन्नं चैव यथाशक्ति सत्कृत्य विधिपूर्वकम् । । ३.९९ । ।<ref name=":0" />

saṁprāptāya tvatithaye pradadyādāsanodake । annaṁ caiva yathāśakti satkr̥tya vidhipūrvakam । । 3.99 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: A grhastha should honour a guest with seat, water and food as per his ability.

saṁprāptāya tvatithaye pradadyādāsanodake । annaṁ caiva yathāśakti satkr̥tya vidhipūrvakam । । 3.99 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: A grhastha should honour a guest with seat, water and food as per his ability. Infact, it is stated that a grhastha and his wife should partake of the food leftover after the worship of deities, rshis, human beings, ancestors and the deities of the house and after feeding the brahmana, atithi, relatives, etc.<ref name=":15" /><blockquote>भुक्तवत्स्वथ विप्रेषु स्वेषु भृत्येषु चैव हि । भुञ्जीयातां ततः पश्चादवशिष्टं तु दम्पती । । ३.११६ । ।

 

Infact, it is stated that a grhastha and his wife should partake of the food leftover after the worship of deities, rshis, human beings, ancestors and the deities of the house and after feeding the brahmana, atithi, relatives, etc.<ref name=":15" /><blockquote>भुक्तवत्स्वथ विप्रेषु स्वेषु भृत्येषु चैव हि । भुञ्जीयातां ततः पश्चादवशिष्टं तु दम्पती । । ३.११६ । ।

देवानृषीन्मनुष्यांश्च पितॄन्गृह्याश्च देवताः । पूजयित्वा ततः पश्चाद्गृहस्थः शेषभुग्भवेत् । । ३.११७ । ।<ref name=":0" />

देवानृषीन्मनुष्यांश्च पितॄन्गृह्याश्च देवताः । पूजयित्वा ततः पश्चाद्गृहस्थः शेषभुग्भवेत् । । ३.११७ । ।<ref name=":0" />

According to Manusmrti, when one has paid, according to the injunctions, one's debts to the great sages, to the forefathers, and to the deities, one should entrust everything to one's son and remain fixed in neutrality.<ref name=":13" /><blockquote>महर्षिपितृदेवानां गत्वानृण्यं यथाविधि । पुत्रे सर्वं समासज्य वसेन्माध्यस्थ्यं आश्रितः । । ४.२५७ । ।<ref name=":2">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%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 4].</ref> maharṣipitr̥devānāṁ gatvānr̥ṇyaṁ yathāvidhi । putre sarvaṁ samāsajya vasenmādhyasthyaṁ āśritaḥ । । 4.257 । ।</blockquote>At this stage, one is advised to constantly meditate in solitude upon what is good for oneself. For, one who meditates in solitude attains the highest good.<ref name=":13" /><blockquote>एकाकी चिन्तयेन्नित्यं विविक्ते हितं आत्मनः । एकाकी चिन्तयानो हि परं श्रेयोऽधिगच्छति । । ४.२५८ । ।<ref name=":2" /> ekākī cintayennityaṁ vivikte hitaṁ ātmanaḥ । ekākī cintayāno hi paraṁ śreyo'dhigacchati । । 4.258 । ।</blockquote>

According to Manusmrti, when one has paid, according to the injunctions, one's debts to the great sages, to the forefathers, and to the deities, one should entrust everything to one's son and remain fixed in neutrality.<ref name=":13" /><blockquote>महर्षिपितृदेवानां गत्वानृण्यं यथाविधि । पुत्रे सर्वं समासज्य वसेन्माध्यस्थ्यं आश्रितः । । ४.२५७ । ।<ref name=":2">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%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 4].</ref> maharṣipitr̥devānāṁ gatvānr̥ṇyaṁ yathāvidhi । putre sarvaṁ samāsajya vasenmādhyasthyaṁ āśritaḥ । । 4.257 । ।</blockquote>At this stage, one is advised to constantly meditate in solitude upon what is good for oneself. For, one who meditates in solitude attains the highest good.<ref name=":13" /><blockquote>एकाकी चिन्तयेन्नित्यं विविक्ते हितं आत्मनः । एकाकी चिन्तयानो हि परं श्रेयोऽधिगच्छति । । ४.२५८ । ।<ref name=":2" /> ekākī cintayennityaṁ vivikte hitaṁ ātmanaḥ । ekākī cintayāno hi paraṁ śreyo'dhigacchati । । 4.258 । ।</blockquote>

== मोक्षमार्गः ॥ Way to Attain Moksha ==

== मोक्षमार्गः ॥ Way to Attain Moksha ==

In the 14th Adhyaya of the 7th Skandha of the Bhagavata Purana, as Yudhisthira asks, Maharshi Narada explains to him the course of conduct by which a householder will attain moksha without difficulty.<ref>Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n109/mode/2up 979-984].</ref> He says,

In the 14th Adhyaya of the 7th Skandha of the Bhagavata Purana, as Yudhisthira asks, Maharshi Narada explains to him the course of conduct by which a householder will attain moksha without difficulty.<ref name=":1">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n109/mode/2up 979-984].</ref> He says that the duties of a householder leads one to the attainment of Jnana yoga. Describing the process, he says,

 

Staying in the household and performing duties such as sandhya, worship and five mahayajnas laid down for a householder as direct offering to Bhagavan Vasudeva without expecting anything in return for it, one should wait upon great sages in order to learn the truth. (2)

 

Devoutly listening to the nectar-like sweet stories of the avataras of Vishnu during the leisure time after performance of duties, he should constantly be surrounded by people who are tranquil by nature. (3)

 

Through companionship with good people, he should gradually release himself from attachment to himself, his wife, his sons etc. which are in the process of being separated from him, and should rise above them like a person awakened from a dream (does in the case of objects seen in the dream). (4)

 

 

Being free from attachment to himself and his property, he should accept in what his kinsmen, parents, sons, brothers and other well-wishers propose and desire. (6)

 

A wise man should carry out his duties while enjoying what he gets from the heaven (eg. crops due to rain fall), from mines (eg. gold, precious stones etc.) and what he gets accidentally by wind fall, as all wealth is created by Bhagavan Vishnu (and is obtained through his grace). (7)

 

 

 

He should duly share his objects of enjoyment with all down to dogs, papis and people belonging to the lowest strata of the society. One's wife with whom one is most intimately attached should be allowed to fulfil the dharma of atithi satkara. (11)

* Staying in the household and performing duties such as sandhya, worship and the Panchamahayajnas laid down for a householder as direct offering to Bhagavan Vasudeva without expecting anything in return for it, one should wait upon great sages in order to learn the truth.

* Devoutly listening to the nectar-like sweet stories of the avataras of Vishnu during the leisure time after performance of duties, one should constantly be surrounded by people who are tranquil by nature.

One is so seriously attached to one's wife that he sometimes kills himself or other including his parents or guru for her. Therefore, if one can give up his attachment to such a wife, he conquers Bhagavan Vishnu who is never conquered by anyone. (12-PP)<ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam (Seventh Canto), [http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB7.3.pdf Part 3-Chapters 10-15], 1976: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref>

Such companionship with good people helps one to gradually release oneself from attachment to oneself, one's wife, children etc. and rise above them like a person awakened from a dream.  

Through proper deliberation, one should give up physical attraction towards his wife for, body ultimately transforms into worms when buried, faeces when eaten up by carnivorous animals or ashes when created. What is the value of this insignificant body ? And how much greater is the Supreme being who is all-pervading like the sky ? (13-PP)

Infact it is also suggested that even though one may be a householder, one should not take extraordinary measures to fulfil the three purusharthas. Rather one should enjoy what is afforded to oneself by providence according to its place and time. As also duly share one's objects of enjoyment with all down to dogs, papis and people belonging to the lowest strata of the society.<ref name=":1" />

A wise person should maintain his livelihood by food after offering oblations to the deities in the Panchamahayajnas and should relinquish the notion of his claim of what remains as surplus. Thus, he would attain to the position of paramahamsas. (14)  

A wise person should maintain his livelihood by food after offering oblations to the deities in the Panchamahayajnas and should relinquish the notion of his claim of what remains as surplus. Thus, he would attain to the position of paramahamsas. (14)