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Highlighting the value of spiritual evolution, Pujyapad Shankaracharya of Puri, explains the dharma of a householder.
The perfection of worldly life depends on grihasthashrama.
Following sanatana dharma in the Grihasthashrama
Grihasthashrama has been created to enable us to follow sanatana dharma. The householder’s life is not a life of fun and games. Be it ashrama system (brahmacharya, vanaprastha, grihastha or sannyasa) or the varna system – both have been created to follow sanatana dharma and attain Bhagavan. None of these are meant just for enjoyment/pleasures (bhoga).
The very purpose of grihasthashrama is to gradually overcome bhoga bhavana and attain yoga bhavana to attain tattva jnana. One has to then utilise one’s life to attain mukti.
The summary of vedic literature, according to the Jabalppanishat
The meaningfulness of a householders life, is in the attainment of renunciation. The path of renunciation must lead to ultimate freedom or mukti.
Detachment brings an end to desires. The end of desires is in renunciation. The end of renunciation is in mukti (ultimate freedom).
Hence, the path of worldly living or grihastha is successful when it gives birth to renunciation. Desires that keep giving birth to more desires are not meaningful. The journey through grihastha amust lead to the final cessation of desires.
Example of an aeroplane
Although an aeroplane has to fly in the air, initially, it speeds on the runway in order to gain the right momentum and strength to take off. Similarly, grihasthashrama maybe compared to the time taken on the runway to gain the right speed and power to attain renunciation, and through that, ultimate freedom or mukti.
Dharma of grihastha
The dharma of grihastha is to follow shastras in one’s actions without expecting fruit of actions. One must purify ones heart. Become capable of listening about Bhagavan, contemplating, and stilling the mind.
To be enslaved by attachments, enjoyments, wealth, name and fame is not the goal of life at all. Our livelihood is for our life, and life is not mean for just earning a livelihood. Life is meant for attainment of the biggest wealth, that is – Jagadishvara.
Importance of Grihasthashrama
Grihasthashrama is at the root of the worldly path as well as the path to renunciation.
Be it Avatara Purushas like Bhagavan Rama or Krishna, or great jivanmuktas like Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, etc. – all have been born through a mother via grihastha.
Hence, grihasthashrama is of great importance since the perfection of worldly existence is dependent on it.