The five
Kutumba Sadhana are the five guidelines or
instructions for parents. They inform parents about the most
important points regarding teaching their beloved children the path
of Hinduism, both verbally and through personal example.
- Dharmachara- more than the words and the sermons, our
personal example is what influences the lives of our children.
Whatever they see during their childhood will be the things that
will influence their lives. Never argue or fight in front of the
children, it is essential that the parents will maintain the four
basic principles of religious life: No intoxication, no meat
eating, avoid games of chance and illicit sex. It is very advisable
that parents respect the tradition in front of the children, the
father wearing a dhoti and the mother a sari, and
showing respect to God, guru and the spiritual authorities.
- Drama Svagriha- parents should establish at home a
separate place for the worship of God, for meditation and study of
the scriptures. The best would be a separate room for that purpose.
Display photographs of the family guru, as well as saints
and sages that inspire you. It is important to maintain at home a
place that will be a refuge dedicated only to spiritual and
religious life.
- Dharma Sambhashana- parents must make efforts to
converse about religion, and spiritual subjects, so that the
children can learn to analyze and see life from a spiritual
perspective.
- Dharma Svadhyaya- parents that wish to educate their
children within the tradition of the Vedic culture have to dedicate
themselves to their own spiritual development and evolution by
studying the revealed Vedic scriptures systematically and attending
to the temple, lectures and conferences of the guru or advanced
swami's. In order to educate them we have to educate
ourselves first.
- Dharma Sanga- parents and householders must choose a
spiritual master or a guru, follow his guidance and
instructions and help serve his lineage. A spiritual master offers
the family his guidance, direction, advice and blessings.