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The Duties of the Brahmacharin and the Householder
He should have no attachment to his family. He should not forget God even though he is a householder. The wise man should regard the unseen enjoyments of heaven and the like as transient and perishable as those of this visible world.
The association with sons, wife, relatives and friends is like the chance meeting of travellers or co-passengers in a journey. They depart with the fall of each body as dreams following sleep do. Just as a person casts off the objects of his dream when he rises from sleep, so also he should be prepared to shake his mind off them at any time.
One who reflecting thus lives at home without attachment and egoism like a guest, is not bound by the home, and is free.
Having with devotion worshipped Me alone by means of all the religious duties laid down for the householder, he may lead the life of a householder or enter the forest or if he has progeny may become a Sannyasin.
But he who is strongly attached to his house, who is anxious about his children and wealth, who is full of passion for women is a foolish man. He is deluded and bound by the notions of ‘I’ and ‘mine’.
“Alas, my aged parents, my wife and young children are without protector except myself. How could they who are helpless and afflicted live without me?” Thus this foolish man constantly thinks of them, with his heart distracted by thoughts of home. Then he dies and falls into-blinding darkness i.e., he takes a low birth.”
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