All posts in this series
- Grihasthashram: The Hindu Householder’s Life
- Who is fit for Grihasthashrama?
- Grihasthashrama versus Materialist living
- The Path of Grihasthashrama
- Grihastha’s Path to Moksha
A Hindu householders life or a worldly path (grihasthashrama) in sanatana dharma is very different from an ordinary materialistic worldly life. This has been beautifully elaborated by by Pujyapad Shankaracharya of Puri, as follows.
There is no independent doing or activities in grihasthashrama. Every sphere of life and living is connected to and dependent on Bhagavan. Our responsibility is to act according to vedas and shastras since everything in life is to act as a means to attain the ultimate goal- Jagadishvara. This is not the goal of materialists.
Through grihasthashrama, we are to ultimately reach a stage where all our desires end and we move into renunciation. The path of renunciation is to lead us to mukti.
However, in the worldly life of the materialists, desires keep giving birth to more desires. Such kind of desires are not considered meaningful in the dharmika context.
With a few examples pertaining to daily living, we can get more clarity into the sharp distinction between the life of a grihastha versus that of a materialist.
Bathing –
Materialists bathe to clean the body, relax and feel refreshed. We (Hindus) also get the above result of bathing. In addition, we invoke the blessings of all our sacred rivers in the water, by offering obeisance to them and praying for our purification. This is done by chanting mantras with the correct feeling or bhava. Also, the intention of us bathing is to purify ourselves so that we can bathe Bhagavan (through puja or worship).
Eating –
Materialists receive three results of eating – cessation of hunger, nourishment and satisfaction. We receive this same result. However, we consume food after offering it to Bhagavan. We eat food with a focus and concentration, and the below prayer from the Bhagavadgita-
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्महविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना।।4.24।।
The meaning explained – Hey Prabhu! This food contains energy given by you, nourishment given by you, satisfaction given by you. Through the moon and the sun, you are the form of anna (food grain) itself, you may be the one enjoying the consumption too. You are the food and the one who is consuming it.
The one who does such a contemplation and eats does not get any kind of harm from the food. The act of eating food is also linked with Bhagavan and hence, sacred. Therefore, we eat food that can be offered by us to Bhagavan.
All efforts are connected with Bhagavan. Such a tradition brings the spirit of karma yoga in everyone’s life.
Sleeping and waking –
Materialists also sleep but we sleep after putting Bhagavan to sleep, as he goes into His yoganidra . We sleep after remembering His name so that He enters our sleep state too. We wake up to remember Him and have him wake up from yoganidra.
Every member of our family is linked to Bhagavan. Our son is bal Gopala. Our daughters are Bhagavati and given in kanyadana in the form of Devi Lakshmi. Husbands are the form of Narayana. Mother, father, acharyas or teachers, and guests are seen as Paramatma.
Our livelihood is for our life, life is not meant just for earning a livelihood. Life is meant for attainment of the biggest wealth, that is – Jagadishvara.
The path of grihasthashrama is not materialistic. It is the path to mukti. This view is totally different from the worldly path of materialists.