The goal of human life is to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. However, for the common people, the household life (Grihasthashram) is the best means to live. This is God's plan. To attain God, one must perform penance for an infinite period. But to prevent feelings of frustration during penance, the concept of household life exists. This is a great work done by God. Attaining God is a very difficult and laborious goal. It is not appropriate to develop feelings of boredom, irritation, or frustration on this path. Our ancestors combined penance with household life to provide complete knowledge of how to control the senses and what states one must go through.

Some people disdain household life, which is wrong. One must endure what comes their way and should not run away from it. Tembe Swami received God's grace and used to converse directly with God. He requested God that he did not want to engage in household life. God replied that according to the debts and bonds of previous births, household life is in your destiny, and you must live it. Once these debts are settled, you can take Sannyasa (renunciation). He got married and had a son, thus freeing himself from paternal debts and all bonds.

Many great men have existed before. Tukaram, Namdev, Eknath were all great in the spiritual field. All of them led household lives. These examples show that one can attain God even while living a household life. In the past, sages also got married and had children. However, through devotion, they gained control over their minds. Sage Atri and Sage Agastya had divine visions due to their wives. While contemplating spirituality, one should remember that a woman is not an obstacle but a complement. By balancing everything and living a household life, spirituality naturally progresses.

Spiritual practice is a secondary practice to your main household life. Do not belittle this practice. It is not appropriate for anyone to renounce the world. Household life must be present in spiritual practice so that even after many years of effort in spirituality, feelings of frustration do not arise.

|| shree gurudev datta ||