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
The Shankaracharya of Puri explains that there are a rare few, who, at a very early stage of life, have the subtle understanding that the world is not worth choosing and attainment of Bhagavan has to be the only choice. The experience of grihastha is for those who are unable to learn this through study or contemplation.
Those who have not attained a sense of detachment (vairagya) even after studying shastras in a gurukul, are sent to the laboratory of grihasthashrama to experience various things – like the fuss of a wife and children, struggles of earning money, etc.
Grihasthashrama is like fire. Only by touching it one learns that it will burn us for sure. The challenges of grihastha’s life teach this lesson. On ripening, by going through these struggles of a householders life, finally, one attains vairagya.
However, not everyone who enters grihasthashrama shall attain vairagya. Like all who dive into the ocean do not necessarily find precious gems and may get only fish, shells, turtles, etc, (which maybe compared to wealth, name, fame, pleasures, etc.). Those who look forward to having bright family lineage with the intention of attaining Bhagavan, they procure the precious gem of vairagya.