Category:Becoming a Householder
Theme Analysis
The Vedic system of varṇāśrama-dharma is scientifically designed to gradually elevate the conditioned soul to the platform of pure spiritual consciousness. According to this system, human life begins with strict training as a brahmacārī. Under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, the student cultivates sense control, studies Vedic knowledge, and learns the principles of devotional service. However, not everyone can maintain lifelong celibacy (naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī). If a mature student is unable to remain completely detached, they are permitted and encouraged to marry a suitable partner and become a householder (gṛhastha).
Entering household life, however, does not mean abandoning spiritual principles for the sake of sense gratification. The Vedic literature draws a sharp distinction between a gṛhastha and a gṛhamedhī. A gṛhamedhī enters married life simply to enjoy sexual intercourse, accumulate wealth, and exist for envying others—a path that inevitably leads to frustration. Conversely, a gṛhastha recognizes that the home is an āśrama, a place meant for spiritual cultivation. The purpose of becoming a householder is for the husband and wife to peacefully execute religious duties, offenselessly chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and set an ideal example of sanity and devotion for the rest of society.
Artificial renunciation is heavily discouraged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If a devotee's mind is disturbed by material desires, they are advised to become a regular householder rather than remain in a state of artificial agitation. A true Kṛṣṇa conscious householder dedicates their life and resources to the Supreme Lord. The standard scriptural injunction is to distribute fifty percent of one's income to the propagation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, utilizing the rest for family maintenance and savings. By strictly following these principles, a dedicated householder is considered practically non-different from a sannyāsī and successfully prepares themselves for the final renounced stages of vānaprastha and sannyāsa.
- The Progression of Āśramas: The foundation of civilized human life begins with brahmacārī training, after which a mature student may transition into household life.
- Gṛhastha vs. Gṛhamedhī: A true householder uses family life for spiritual cultivation, whereas a materialistic person marries strictly for sexual enjoyment and worldly entanglement.
- Rejecting Artificial Disturbance: It is far better to marry and live peacefully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness than to artificially maintain a celibate life while harboring a disturbed mind.
- Practical Dedication: The perfection of the gṛhastha-āśrama is achieved by living according to scriptural injunctions and dedicating fifty percent of one's wealth to the service of the Lord.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Becoming a Householder - The Perfection of Gṛhastha Life.
Pages in category "Becoming a Householder"
The following 28 pages are in this category, out of 28 total.
A
- A mature student is allowed to become a householder
- After their (Four Kumaras) birth, when they were ordered by their father to become householders and increase human society, they refused the order
- Although Garuda did not try to retaliate, the Muni was not saved from his offensive act against a great Vaisnava personality. Due to this offense, Saubhari fell down from his yogic position and afterwards became a householder
- Anyone who is in full Krishna Consciousness and is dedicating his life for Krishna is already a sannyasi even if he is a married man. If you like you can become a householder and I've no objection to that
I
- I can understand the disturbance of your mind, but why you keep yourself in such artificial disturbance? You can become a householder. That is not prohibited
- I quite approve your planning on becoming a householder, and at the same time serve the cause of our society. A Krishna Conscious member even though he is a householder may spend at least 50% of his income for the society
- If you like you can become a householder and I've no objection to that
- In the beginning of life a person is trained as a brahmacari and is then allowed to marry a suitable girl and become a householder
- In the beginning, one becomes a brahmacari, a student who studies Vedic knowledge under the authoritative guidance of a spiritual master. He then becomes a householder and executes household duties according to the Vedic process
L
- Later I shall become a householder and thus serve My parents, for this action will very much satisfy Lord Narayana and His wife, the goddess of fortune
- Let him become a family, householder life, then retired life, then... But sannyasa at the end, that is compulsory, not that unless he is shot down by somebody, he's not going to give up family life. That is not Vedic system
- Lord Krsna said, "They (unattached persons) show how by proper distribution of wealth one can become an ideal householder and at the same time a great devotee. Such ideal householders are to be considered followers of My footsteps"
M
- Materialists are certainly very much attracted by sexual intercourse. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham (SB 7.9.45). Although one becomes a grhastha, or householder, to enjoy sex life to his heart's content, one is never satisfied
- My advice to you is that either you become a regular householder, giving 50% of your earnings to Krishna, 25% for family, and 25% for savings, or else you strictly follow the principles of brahmacari life
O
- One should not become a grhamedhi simply to exist for envying others; one should become a real householder in terms of the scriptural injunctions
- One who cannot (remain naisthika-brahmacari), he's allowed to accept wife and become a householder and remain there for twenty-five years. Because generally, the brahmacari was going home at the age of twenty-four years, twenty-five years
S
- So my advice to you is that either you become a regular householder, giving 50% of your earnings to Krishna, 25% for family, and 25% for savings, or else you strictly follow the principles of brahmacari life
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advises everyone to become an ideal householder by offenselessly chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and teaching the same principle to everyone he meets
T
- There are many brahmacaris who do not go home to become householders but continue the life of naisthika-brahmacaris, without any connection with women
- There are two kinds of brahmacaris. One may return home, marry and become a householder, whereas the other, known as brhad-vrata, takes a vow to remain a brahmacari perpetually
- To become ideal householders we should follow in the footsteps of Lord Krsna as He displayed His daily activities, but we cannot imitate Him at any stage of our life
- To marry and to become an exemplary householder is the ideal life of Krishna Consciousness