The rules of grihasthasram were made to teach and train the vital consciousness of man that is full of desires to learn self-mastery in the midst of all the temptations of life. It is only if one could successfully face and go through the battle of life that one was considered ready for the complete inner liberation. The grahasthasram was meant to help purify the vital energies by the practice of Sanyama (restraint) in the satisfaction of desires rather than living life like an unbridled wild animal.
The coming together of a man and woman served the purpose of mutual enrichment through the exchange of Masculine and Feminine energies and their complimentary powers. The family itself becomes the first means to learn sacrifice, to teach oneself how to subordinate one’s desires and impulses for the sake of significant others. It becomes a means to learn moderation in spending and control of the money forces and resources by the right ordering of material and resources available at one’s disposal. Finally, especially through children, it brings out certain beautiful emotions from the deeper self such as care, affection, sympathy, tenderness etc which prepare an excellent ground for the full blossoming of the spiritual life.
The outer rules were meant to help develop these elements in us. Since mankind would not look at it this way they were turned into rules and regulations enforced by social and religious sanction. Now the Age is changed and the old system has broken down to allow more freedom, wideness and plasticity in the system with the idea of preparing humanity for the next spiritual evolution.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
