View source for Grihastha

{{Short description|Second phase of an individual's life in the Hindu ashram system}}
{{italic title}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''''Gṛhastha''''' ([[Sanskrit]]: गृहस्थ) literally means    "being in and occupied with home, family" or "householder".<ref name=grhastha/> It refers to the second phase of an individual's life in the four age-based stages of the [[Hindus|Hindu]] [[Āśrama (stage)|asrama system]].<ref>S Radhakrishnan (1922), The Hindu Dharma, International Journal of Ethics, 33(1): 1-22</ref> It follows [[celibacy]] (bachelor student) life stage, and embodies a married life, with the duties of maintaining a home, raising a family, educating one's children, and leading a family-centred and a [[Dharma|dharmic]] social life.<ref name=rks/><ref name=sgn>{{cite book |title=Axiological approach to the Vedas|author=Sahebrao Genu Nigal|year=1986 |publisher=Northern Book Centre|isbn=81-85119-18-X|pages=110–114 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mMZzmB4duPoC&q=vanaprastha&pg=PA112 }}</ref><ref name=mb>{{cite book |title=Social and cultural history of ancient India|author=Manilal Bose|chapter=5. Grihastha Ashrama, Vanprastha and Sanyasa|year=1998|publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn= 81-7022-598-1|page= 68|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=vanaprastha&pg=PA68 }}</ref>

This stage of ''Asrama'' is conceptually followed by ''[[Vānaprastha]]'' (forest dweller, retired<ref>L Mullatti (1995), Families in India: Beliefs and Realities, Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 26(1): 11-25</ref>) and ''[[Sannyasa]]'' (renunciation).<ref name=rks>RK Sharma (1999), Indian Society, Institutions and Change, {{ISBN|978-8171566655}}, page 28</ref> Combined with other three life stages, Hindu philosophy considers these stages as a facet of [[Dharma]] concept, something essential to completing the full development of a human being and fulfilling all the needs of the individual and society.<ref name=rks/><ref name=wih/>

Ancient and medieval era texts of Hinduism consider ''Gṛhastha'' stage as the most important of all stages in sociological context, as human beings in this stage not only pursue a virtuous life, they produce food and wealth that sustains people in other stages of life, as well as the offspring that continues mankind.<ref name=rks/><ref>Alban Widgery (1930), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/2377977 The Principles of Hindu Ethics], International Journal of Ethics, 40(2): 232-245</ref> The householder stage is also considered in Indian philosophy as one where the most intense physical, procreational, emotional, occupational, social and material attachments exist in a human being's life.<ref>Mazumdar and Mazumdar (2005), Home in the Context of Religion, in Home and Identity in Late Life: International Perspectives (Editor: Graham D. Rowles et al.), Springer, {{ISBN|978-0826127150}}, pages 81-103</ref>

In Indian traditions, ''Gṛhastha'' stage of life is a recommendation, but not a requirement. Any ''Brahmachari'' may, if they want, skip householder and retirement stage, go straight to Sannyasa stage of life, thereby renouncing worldly and materialistic pursuits and dedicating their lives to spiritual pursuits.<ref name=wih>What is Hinduism? (Editors of Hinduism Today), {{Google books|9XC9bwMMPcwC|Two noble paths of Dharma|page=101}}, Family Life and Monastic Life, Chapter 10 with page 101 in particular</ref>

==Etymology==
The Sanskrit word ''grhastha'' (गृहस्थ) is a composite ''grha-stha'' of two root words ''grha'' (गृह) and ''stha'' (स्थ). ''Grha'' means "home, family, house",<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=stha+&trans=Translate&direction=AU gRha] Sanskrit English Dictionary, Koeln University</ref> while ''sth'' means "devoted to, occupied with, being in".<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=stha+&trans=Translate&direction=AU stha] Sanskrit English Dictionary, Koeln University</ref> ''Gṛhastha'' means that which "being in and occupied with home, family" or simply "householder".<ref name=grhastha>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=gRhastha&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 gRhastha] Sanskrit English Dictionary, Koeln University</ref>

==Discussion==
Gṛhastha is part of the ancient [[Hindu]] concept called [[Chaturashrama]], which identified four stages of a human life, with distinct differences based on natural human needs and drives, as well as how these ''stages'' integrated with fulfilling, joyful four ''goals'' of life called [[Purushartha]] - [[Dharma]] (piety, morality, duties), [[Artha]] (wealth, health, means of life), [[Kama]] (love, relationships, emotions) and [[Moksha]] (liberation, freedom, self-realization).<ref name=wih/> Gṛhastha is considered to be the most intense of all four stages, where a man or woman pursues all four goals of life, with greater emphasis on first three - Dharma, Artha and Kama.<ref name=sgn/><ref name=mb/><ref>R Sharma (1986), A Socio-political Study of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120800786}}, page 435</ref> In contrast, [[Sannyasa]] is the stage where the individual renounces Artha and Kama, and pursues Moksha with a single minded pursuit.<ref name=sgn/><ref name=wih/>

The stage "Gṛhastha" is preceded by [[Brahmacharya]] (student) stage of life, and followed by [[Vanaprastha]] (retirement, forest dweller, still an advisor to the next generation) stage. In ancient texts, Gṛhastha stage of life is said to extend from the age of about 25 to about 50.<ref name=wih/>

A man or woman entered the ''Gṛhastha'' stage after a Hindu wedding [sacred ceremony]. They would build a home, raise a family, earn wealth, enjoy worldly life and give donations to needy people, poor families, orphans, etc... They also have to follow the 5 great rituals ( Pancha Maha Yajnas) as follow:

# Brahma yajna~ Study of vedas, meditation, prayers<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Sundareswaran |first=N.K. |date=2019 |title=The concept of Pañca mahāyajña : Origin and transformation |url=https://www.academia.edu/41853226/The_concept_of_Pa%C3%B1ca_mah%C4%81yaj%C3%B1a_Origin_and_transformation |journal=The Adyar Library Bulletin |publisher=The Adyar Library and Research Centre |publication-place=Adyar, Chennai |volume=83 |pages=379–406 |via=Academia}}</ref>
# Deva yajna~ Offering of clarified butter ([[ghee]]) in fire<ref name=":0" />
# Pitr yajna~ Care of parents, aged and old people
# Bhuta yajna~ Service to poor, needy, handicapped and animals<ref name=":0" />
# Atithi yajna~ Hospitality to guest, saints, sages. It is said "Guest is God." We must take good care of our guest to get good deeds in our life.<ref name=":0" />

==Literature==
The [[Chandogya Upanishad]] and [[Brahma Sutras|Vedānta Sūtras]] discuss all four stages of life - student, householder, retired/hermit and ascetic. However they hold Gṛhastha āśrama as the highest because, explains verse III.4.48, not only does the householder performs the duties recommended for all four asramas, they have to produce food and goods on which people in other ashramas survive. The shared duties of four ashramas are - tenderness for all living creatures ([[ahimsa]]), [[Yamas|self-restraints]], and others.<ref>Max Muller, The [[Sacred Books of the East]]: The Vedanta-Sutras, Pt. 2, Vol. XXXVIII, Oxford University Press, pages 324-325</ref>

Some chapters of the Upanishads, for example hymn 4.4.22 of [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]], specify only three stages of human life – Brahmacharya, Gṛhastha and Vanaprastha.<ref>[[Paul Deussen]] (1906), The Philosophy of the Upanishads, T&T Clark, Edinburgh, pages 54-61</ref> They make no mention of gender, class restrictions on these stages of life. All three stages are recommended as path to [[Brahman]] (inner Self, Soul). In contrast, later texts<ref>See the following Upanishads: Brahma, Sannyasa, Aruneya, Kantha, Paramahamsa, Jabala and Ashrama; For English translations and secondary source - see Paul Deussen (1906), The Philosophy of the Upanishads, T&T Clark, Edinburgh, pages 374-377</ref> specify four stages of human life.

;Dharmasutras and Dharmasmritis
Grihastha ashrama, declares [[Gautama's Dharmasutra|Gautama Dharmasutra]] in verses 3.2 and 3.3, is the foundation of all the ashramas, and essential to the existence and continuation of society because the other three ashramas do not produce offspring.<ref name=rks/><ref>Sanskrit Original: [http://www.hinduonline.co/vedicreserve/kalpa/dharma/gautama_dharma_sutra.pdf Gautama Dharma Sutra] page 3;<br>
English Translation: UC Pandey, Gautama Dharma Sutra, with the Mitaksara' Sanskrit commentary of Haradatta, 1966, {{oclc|702663294}}</ref>

[[Manusmṛti|Manusmriti]], similarly states in Sections VI.87 through VI.90, that it is the householders who feed all those in other three stages of life, and those who seek spiritual pursuits live on, attain fulfillment because of those who accept and prosper in Gṛhastha ashrama.<ref>Original: [https://archive.org/stream/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi#page/n343/mode/2up ManuSmriti] Chapter 6, Verses 87-90 (in Sanskrit);<br>English Translation: Max Muller, {{Google books|VAobAAAAYAAJ|The Laws of Manu|page=214}}, The Sacred Books of the East, Oxford University Press, pages 214-215<br>English Translation 2: RK Sharma (1999), Indian Society, Institutions and Change, {{ISBN|978-8171566655}}, page 28</ref> Manusmriti uses the concept of ashrama broadly, and in verses III.77 to III.80, declares Gṛhastha stage as noble, excellent and that "just like all beings need air to survive, so do all beings take life from the ''Gṛhastha Āśrama'' because of the food they produce and knowledge they apply".<ref name=rks/><ref>[[Max Muller]], {{Google books|VAobAAAAYAAJ|The Laws of Manu|page=89}}, The Sacred Books of the East, Oxford University Press, page 89</ref>

In Sections IV.1 through IV.6, Manusmriti states a Brahmana, after being twice-born and completing his studies with his teacher, should marry and live in his house.<ref name=mm2/> He must seek a means of living that causes no injury or least possible injury to all living beings, except in times of distress. For this householder stage, the text declares that the Brahmana (graduate from Brahmacharya) should accumulate property by ethically pursuing his varna's (class) occupation.<ref name=mm2/> Manusmriti lists<ref name=mm2>Original: [https://archive.org/stream/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi#page/n253/mode/2up ManuSmriti] Chapter 4, Verses 1-6, pages 114-115 (in Sanskrit);<br>English Translation 1: Max Muller, {{Google books|VAobAAAAYAAJ|The Laws of Manu|page=128}}, The Sacred Books of the East, Oxford University Press, pages 128-129;<br>English Translation 2: William Jones (1796), [https://archive.org/stream/institutesofhind00manu#page/88/mode/2up Manu Smriti - Ordinances of Manu] Chapter the Fourth, page 89</ref> five appropriate sources of income or means for survival for the educated Brahmana - [[Ṛta]] (ऋत, lawful gleaning and gathering, proper natural work<ref>Muller translates it as gleaning of corn, William Jones as lawful gleaning and gathering, Prasad translates it as proper natural work</ref>), [[Amrita|Amrta]] (अमृत, accepting gifts and charity), Mrta (मृत, begging), Pramrta (प्रमृत,<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=pramrita+&trans=Translate&direction=AU pramRta] Koeln University, Germany</ref> agriculture, tillage) and Satyanrta (सत्यानृत,<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&beginning=0+&tinput=Satyanrita+&trans=Translate&direction=AU satyAnRta] Koeln University, Germany</ref> trade, commerce, money lending). The text disapproves of one means of survival for the householder - Shvavritti (श्ववृत्ति,<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=zvavRtti&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 zvavRtti] Koeln University, Germany</ref> dog-like subsistence, servitude, slavery<ref>Muller translates it as dog-like menial subsistence, William Jones translates this as service for hire, Prasad translates it as slavery</ref>).

;Puranas
The [[Vishnu Purana]] in Book 3 Chapter IX, states<ref name=hhw>Original: [https://archive.org/details/Vishnu_Purana_with_Vishnuchittiyam_-_PB_Annangaracharya_1972 Vishnu Purana] pages 209-211 (in Sanskrit);<br>English Translation: HH Wilson (Translator) [https://archive.org/stream/worksbylatehorac08wils#page/92/mode/2up Vishnu Purana, Volume 3] Book III, Chapter IX, pages 93-94</ref>

{{Blockquote|
When the scriptural studies appropriate to the student have been completed, and he has received blessings of his Guru, let him enter into the order of the '''Gṛhastha''' (householder). Let him pursue and obtain, by ethical ways, home, wife, and wealth, discharge to the best of his ability the duties of his life's stage. He should satisfy the soul of his ancestors with funeral cakes; the gods with oblations; guests with hospitality; the sages with holy study; the progenitors of mankind with progeny; the spirits with reverence; and all the world with words of truth.|Vishnu Purana|3.IX.1 - 3.IX.31<ref name=hhw/>}}

;Epics
The Indian Epics have extensive debates on Gṛhastha stage of life, offering a contrasting spectrum of views on its merits and nature.<ref>See, for example, Adi Sankara's commentary on The Bhagavad Gita of the Mahabharata, AM Sastri (Translator), at [https://archive.org/stream/Bhagavad-Gita.with.the.Commentary.of.Sri.Shankaracharya#page/n97/mode/2up pages 83-95] and [https://archive.org/stream/Bhagavad-Gita.with.the.Commentary.of.Sri.Shankaracharya#page/n193/mode/2up 179-182];<br>For another example, see [https://archive.org/stream/mahabharataofkri08royp#page/330/mode/2up Chapter 63], Book 13 of the Mahabharata, KM Ganguli (Translator)</ref> An illustrative recommended guidelines for conduct in householder stage of life is stated in Book 1, the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, as follows,<ref name=kmg/><ref>J. A. B Van Buitenen (1974), The Book of the Beginning, University of Chicago Press, {{ISBN|978-0226846484}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|
It hath been said in the oldest Upanishad that a '''Grihastha''' (householder), acquiring wealth by honest means, should perform sacrifices; he should always give something in charity, should perform the rites of hospitality unto all arriving at his abode, and should never use anything without giving a portion thereof to others. He should abstain from all vicious acts, should never inflict pain on any creature. It is then only that he can achieve success.|[[Adi Parva]]|The Mahabharata, Chapter 91<ref name=kmg>KM Ganguli (Translator), [https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-mahabharata-first-book/d/doc4084.html The Mahabharata - First Book Adi Parva] Section XCI</ref><ref>MN Dutt (Translator), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n143/mode/2up Sambhava Parva - Adi Parva] The Mahabharata, verse 3, page 132</ref>}}

==See also==
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
[[Ashramas]]
* [[Brahmacharya]]
* [[Vanaprastha]]
* [[Sannyasa]]

[[Puruṣārtha]]s
* [[Dharma]]
* [[Artha]]
* [[Kama]]
* [[Moksha]]

[[Buddhism]]
* [[Householder (Buddhism)|Gahattha]] ([[Pali]])
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.yogabasics.com/learn/the-four-ashramas-of-yoga.html Four ashrama of yoga]

[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Ashramas]]