Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1399

c4.1399

2. Gārhasthya. After the study of the Vedas the intelligent śiṣya gives Gurudakṣiṇā (Payment to the preceptor) and with the consent of the Guru, enters into Gṛhasthāśrama. Then he is to marry and by earning money from a suitable occupation, should fulfil all obligations of a Gṛhastha according to his capacity. The Gṛhastha who worships the Pitṛs with Piṇḍadāna (offerings of rice balls), Devas with Yāgas (sacrifices), Ṛṣis with Svādhyāya (self discipline), Prajāpatis with begetting of children, spirits with bali (offering of food etc.) and the whole world with love, attains the holy world by his own virtuous deeds. Gṛhasthāśrama is the only source of support for sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs who beg their food. Therefore feeding them is an act of nobility. Brāhmaṇas travel from country to country to study Vedas, for pilgrimage and for seeing the places. The Gṛhastha is the only refuge and support of those who are homeless, who do not carry their food with them and those who spend the night wherever they reach. If such people come to his house, the Gṛhastha should welcome them with kind and loving words, and give them bed, seat and food. The guest who leaves a house disappointed, is really departing after transferring his own sins to that householder and taking away all the virtuous deeds of the householder. It is not proper for the Gṛhastha to treat a guest with disrespect, to behave rudely or treacherously towards him, to regret what has been given to the guest, or to obstruct or rebuke him. The Gṛhastha who performs the supreme duty of Gṛhasthāśrama in this way properly, is liberated from all secular bonds and reaches the noblest worlds.