SAI BANISA'S THOUGHTS ON GRUHASTHASRAMA

Sri Shirdi Saibaba practiced celibacy through out his life. BABA advocated his devotees to follow the traditions of family life in order to achieve social harmony. This alone will help in building a healthy society and usher alround happiness in one's life. Baba wanted his devotees to fulfill their moral and social obligations called for in the materialistic World and then to work towards the ultimate i.e. reaching the God. Incidentally a major portion of Baba's devotees are from those who follow 'Gruhasthasrama' without any hindrance. Saibanisa Gopala Rao Ravada has read a number of Books and literature on this particular topic by different authors and desires to put his ideas before you all. Hence an attempt is made to high light his observations on this subject, aptly titled as ' Saibanisa's thoughts on Gruhasthasrama'. We earnestly hope that our readership will appreciate and encourage our efforts.

1. By nature man is a social being and he is bound to offer food and clothing to his dependents and the needy.

2. Man has to speak good words and please his wife and children by fulfilling their worldly needs.

3. One is eligible to have his diet only after he has ensured that everyone in his family including his aged parents had their share.

4. A father should bring up his son with love up to the age of five, with discipline upto the age of sixteen and thereafter advise him as a friend only.

5. Never use harsh words to a son past sixteen and a daughter past twelve.

6. It is father's responsibility to make a son ready for independent living by the time he reaches the age of Twenty.

7. A teen - aged daughter should be groomed, educated and married off to a worthy partner.

8. A man should cerate a conducive atmosphere for the growth of a happy family and cerate a mark for himself with good conduct.

9. Never forget to offer food to those who visit your home during dining hours- may be sick, elderly or destitute.

10. Offer food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and a place for the tired to rest.

11. Set apart a portion of your income towards charity for offering medical aid to the sick, educating the poor, and feeding the needy.

12. Do good to the society and earn a good name for yourself. A housewife must aid the husband in accomplishing the tasks.

13. There is no respect for a father who runs after debts and a mother who does not care to put her children on the right track.

14. There is no room for a woman laden with pride for her beauty and indisciplined youth in our society.

15. It is not wrong to desert a wife with bad character, a friend in deceit and an egoistic servant.

16. Helping the poor, offering prayers to a God/Goddess in a dilapidated temple, and performing last rites to an orphaned dead is worth hundred times that of performing Yagnas.

17. It is but natural to encounter displeasure at times even with close friends, and problems with enemies.

18. When visiting, do not go empty handed to the following: elders, a pregnant woman, the God, The Guru and a King. At the most carry a flower or a fruit.

19. In the materialistic world, it is the wife who shares and gives happiness and pleasures of life.
20. A person with good faith can only make a good friend.

21. A person who always wishes for the best and good can only make a good relationship.

22. A good husband is the one who can bring up and educate his children to be worthy citizens.

23. Sky may be full of stars but the light in darkness comes only from the moon.

It is therefore worthy to have one true son than ten useless.

24. Just as a farmer takes all care to protect his crops from insects, Head of the family should adopt his own methods and practices to eliminate the ills of the family members.

25. Culturally, It is binding on the Head of the family to ensure that his guests are well taken care of.

26. The legacy and good traditions of family should be passed on to the younger generations from time to time.

27. Dependence on others for leading one’s life is treacherous. Independence gives lot of self satisfaction and pleasure.

28. Good education comes by study and hard work. Sense of sacrifice leads to honour and following the path of truth gives riches. Good deeds emanate from a healthy mind.

29. An introvert is fragile like an earthen pot. It is easier to punish him rather than putting him on the right track. So let us keep of from the evils of the society.

30. All the accomplices and relations are a result of vrunanubandha. And they separate out after it’s fulfillment. Wise should not lament on those temporary relations.

31. Good character, a day full of good thoughts,good words uttered after a pause of thinking, mawise son, well digested food do always good to society at large.


Sai Banisa's Mission:
"To help Sri Shirdi Sai devotees in realising that Sai lives in their Heart."