Role of a householder – Hinduism

The Hindu society is categorized into 4 “Ashramas” or stages of life. They are 1) Brahmacharya Ashrama (student life, a period of learning) 2) Gruhastha Ashrama (family life) 3) Vanaprastha Ashrama (a period of withdrawal from active life, playing the role of a mentor) 4) Sanyasa Ashrama (a period of complete withdrawal from worldly life). Assuming that the life time of an average human being consisted of 100 years, each of the above ashramas had a time span of 25 years.
Partially, these ashramas hold good even in the modern day world (21st century) wherein the first 25-30 years are dedicated towards acquiring knowledge of the sciences, economics, arts etc. The subsequent 25-30 years are spent raising a family. However there are differences in how these ashramas are looked upon in India today.
The last two ashramas seem to have lost their relevance in the modern day world.

Of the 4 ashramas mentioned above, the Gruhastha ashrama is considered the most important. It is considered the “most productive” of the ashramas. The Gruhastha-Gruhini combination is expected to shoulder enormous responsibilities for the sustenance of the other 3 ashramas. The student’s primary focus is on acquisition of knowledge. The student needs the necessary infrastructure & the financial support for devoting his time to the primary activity of learning. The Vanaprastha Ashrama (in a Vedic society) can be equated to the post retirement period in the modern world. The elderly again need the support (moral, financial or physical) for sustenance. This was characterized by the Joint family system which existed (& continues to exist to a lesser extent). The joint family system is a unique feature in the Vedic tradition where care for elders is compensated by effective mentoring of GEN NEXT. The Sanyasi as an entity is not entitled to own or owe anything. For sustenance, he depends on alms (bhiksha in Sanskrit) given by the Gruhastha. Hence Gruhastha Ashrama is the only “non-parasitic” ashrama as it supports & nourishes the other 3. However in the modern world, due to the growing influence of West, the concept of “I,me,myself” has blurred the responsibilities across all the ashramas.
Duties of the Gruhastha thus need be driven with a sense of “Contributorship” & not with a sense of “Consumership”. His duties can thus be categorized into 5 headings as follows:
1)Brahma Yagnya 2)Deva Yagnya 3)Manushya Yagnya 4) Bhootha Yagnya 5)Pitru Yagnya

BRAHMA YAGNYA
Hinduism is probably the only religion in the world which worships Nature as the Almighty. Hence, the elements of Nature are revered & respected as GOD. This principle is reflected in the 5 temples in South India (Fire(Agni) as Annamalai Deepam in Tiruvannamalai , Sky ( Aakash) as Chidakasha in Chidambaram , Water (Jal) Jambukeswara in Tiruvanaikaval, Air (Vayu) Vayu Lingam in Sri Kalahasthi , Earth (Prithvi) Prithvi Lingam in Kanchipuram). The pious Hindu Gruhastha worships Nature(Creation) by lighting the Deepam everyday at home & prays for Universal Peace. The Deepam symoblises Agni which stands for purity. The human body itself is a combination of these 5 elements & the Gruhastha strives to realize the truth of Brahman(Paramatma,GOD),the driving force behind these very elements. Such an introspection calms down one’s mind & makes him an effective “Contributor”.

As a side note , Hinduism has always believed in glowing lights throughout the world, unlike the dominant religion of the world which believes in extinguishing candles even during happy occasions !!

DEVA YAGNYA
Hinduism acknowledges the fact that not every Gruhastha would relate to the principle of GOD manifesting as Nature. Hence, it permits the use of idols for representing the Almighty. The 33 crore Hindu Gods are a testimony to this principle. The Gruhastha thus can perform several rituals( Yaga, Abhisheka etc..)praying for Universal good. There are Yagas for universal peace,rains,properity,good progeny etc..Atleast once a year, the Gruhastha should undertake a ritual for world’ good or country’s good or society’s good or ATLEAST his family’s well being.

MANUSHYA YAGNYA
Hindus as a race are very tolerant & Service Oriented. This is based on the Vedic principle that every other human being is a bundle of the 5 elements which make up the Universe & hence by serving man, one is actually serving the Brahman within.. Hence the Gruhastha needs to perform the duty of serving humanity/society through body, mind or money (tan, man or dhan in Hindi). There are several such organizations in India which serve people(even non-Hindus) selflessly (without any hidden intentions of converting them into HINDUS). Often such noble efforts go unnoticed due to the biased media & the west aping intelligentsia. Social Service as a duty is thus very critical to a Hindu Gruhastha’s life.

BHOOTHA YAGNYA
Hinduism respects all living beings(other than human beings) like animals,plants,underwater world etc.. Hence the Gruhastha must play the role of nourishing these beings with a sense of belonging to the same family( Universal family – Vasudaiva Kutumbakam). This is exhibited by the practice in several South Indian households of placing boiled rice, grams near the window sill for crows,sparrows,squirrels to feed on.
Amazing !! Does this happen in any other religion ?

PITRU YAGNYA
Hinduism believes in the Karma theory. Being very simplistic the Karma theory = As you sow(or have sown in your previous births as an animal. plant etc..) , so shall you reap (in this human birth or subsequent births later).Building on this concept, our ancestors could be living on this planet/Universe in a different form altogether. The Pitru Yagnya is a form of thanksgiving for their contribution to the planet/society/culture & our well being. Our Vedic mantras infect also pray for those whose progeny are not performing the PITRU Yagnya.

All the five Yagnyas listed above are duties of a Gruhastha as he/she commands the requisite money/muscle power to perform them. If one performs them, it would be for his/her good & would inculcate a sense of pride in being Hindu in the next generation & build a sound value system. Hinduism has never preached the principle of “I,me,myself”. But a blind aping of the WEST in India is eating into this fundamental & pure advice of Vedic scriptures.

I have recently entered the Gruhastha Ashrama & have begun discharging my duties, in small way to develop a sense of “Contributorship” & come OUT from a sense of crass consumerism. I exhort all such HINDU Gruhasthas to take the plunge & preserve our ancient culture & value system !!

Proud to be a HINDU ! Jai Hind !