If there is Grihastha Ashram, there is family, and if there is family, there is Grihastha Ashram. These two are two sides of the same coin. It is also said that home is a safe place for the family. Living together with everyone is called Grihastha Ashram. A householder's life is a penance, and household life is a spiritual practice. It is a mine, a factory that transforms a person into Narayan. Devotees, scholars, saints, mahatmas, scholars, and pundits are all molded and shaped in Grihastha Ashram. They emerge from Grihastha Ashram.
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From the birth of a child to its education, initiation, upbringing, nutrition, knowledge, and sanskar, everything happens within the realm of Grihastha Ashram. The development of the soul happens easily, and individuals give up selfishness in favor of altruism. They learn to make sacrifices for one another and practice self-control. Intimacy increases, and they become good family members, living with restraint. The remaining time and resources are often spent on charity. The gods are pleased, and blessings are showered upon such individuals.
Indra once came and asked for a boon from a Grihastha who had no dissatisfaction in his heart. The Grihastha, not feeling any pride, asked that blessings rain wherever his shadow fell. He obtained this boon without arrogance, and his spiritual practice continued to progress. Living in a family teaches cooperation and mutual support.
If we look at ancient history, whether it be sages, gods, or divine incarnations, they all had family lives. In a way, the family is a laboratory, school, and gymnasium where great individuals are forged, contributing to a strong nation. Figures like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Shri Ravindra Nath Tagore, Vinoba Ji, Gandhi Ji, and Shastri Ji all began their education within their homes. For instance, Gandhi Ji watched Raja Harishchandra Ji's movie and took a vow to speak the truth. Therefore, the development of qualities is possible within Grihastha Ashram."
"How can a person escape from the bondages of lust, greed, attachment, and affection while living at home?
It is the Grihastha Ashram that shows the right path to a person. Two extremes are observed in this ashram. Firstly, one may fall into the trap of greed, attachment, illusion, and affection, or they may abandon it out of cowardice and speak of renunciation. However, greed, attachment, and affection are negative qualities that spare no one, whether they are householders or recluses. Therefore, one should not abandon their home but rather the vices within. Good tendencies should be cultivated, and one's nature should be transformed.
Just as darkness exists until there is light, when light appears, darkness vanishes instantly. A householder must repay all their debts. For example, there was a landlord with vast land. Paddy was cultivated, and guards were stationed at all four corners to protect it. Yet, parrots would come, eat their fill, and fly away. However, one parrot, even after satisfying its hunger, would carry some grains in its beak. The guards caught this parrot and presented it to the landlord.
The landlord asked, "Why do you take these grains with you?" The parrot replied, "Two are for repaying debts, two for lending, and two for charity. I carry a total of six grains with me." The landlord inquired about how to repay debts, lend, and give to charity. The parrot explained that its parents were old and blind, so it was giving two grains to them. Two grains were for its small children, and two were for a sick neighbor. It considered it a duty and was willing to take risks with the guards.
The landlord was touched by the parrot's actions and happily released it. Like that parrot, every householder must fulfill all their debts, such as the debt to God, the debt to ancestors, and the debt to society, among others. A happy and successful married life is possible only when both husband and wife complement each other. Superstitions and foolish beliefs should be avoided.
For instance, there's a story about a cat that started living in a monk's hut. The cat was playful, and its antics distracted the monk during his meditation. Out of compassion, the monk didn't drive the cat away but tied it to a peg while he meditated. The disciples, misunderstanding the situation, thought that tying a cat nearby would aid in spiritual practice. When the sage passed away, the disciples continued the practice of catching a cat and tying it to a peg while chanting bhajans.
Ultimately, it's by following the right path within the Grihastha Ashram that one can overcome negative qualities like greed, attachment, and illusion."
"Why is a woman called Griha Lakshmi?
In Indian culture, both girls and women are considered to be the forms of goddesses. During marriage ceremonies, the groom is seen as Vishnu, and the bride is seen as Lakshmi. When Goddess Lakshmi enters the house through the bride, she becomes Griha Lakshmi. Vishnu and Lakshmi are always considered together, symbolizing the divine union. Therefore, in Indian culture, there is no place for divorce. Man and woman are like the two wheels that drive the cart of a family. The woman is the central figure in the family, while the man is her assistant. He gathers resources and provides support, but the woman is present and active in every aspect of family life.
According to scriptures, a woman embodies qualities such as theology, faith, power, art, Kamdhenu (the wish-fulfilling cow), and Annapurna (the goddess of food). This means that a woman is capable of removing all the sorrows of human beings and is the most valuable presence in the world. It is also said, 'Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devata,' which means that where women are respected and honored, that place becomes divine. Therefore, by her very nature, a woman is considered the Goddess of the House.
In a way, women are like mines, and men or children are like the precious minerals extracted from that mine. The quality of the mineral depends on the quality of the mine. Similarly, the nature of the child often reflects the nature of the mother. A woman is the mother of the family, society, and the nation. Without a mother, the creation of families, societies, nations, and children would not be possible. Great warriors, mahatmas, scientists, scholars, artists, and many more have been born from the nurturing and guiding influence of women.
For example, when the child Dhruv was not allowed to sit in his stepmother's lap, he turned to his mother, Suniti, and narrated the incident. Mother Suniti advised him to please God through penance to attain his desired goal. Dhruva followed his mother's advice, started penance with the blessings of his mother, and ultimately achieved the status of Dhruva. Women have always been capable and powerful, and as such, they have been granted equal rights and respect alongside men. Historical figures like Rani Lakshmibai, Vishala, Adanal, Durgavati, and many others have left their mark. Both men and women support and complement each other in a family, just like a chariot with two wheels. They share equal rights and responsibilities, and yet, women are revered as Griha Lakshmi, symbolizing the embodiment of prosperity and grace in the household."
http://literature.awgp.org/book/pragya_puran/v5.1
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