Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 276

WHO
236
IS
A GRAHASTHA BRAHMIN
usually done in works of this kind, and shall follow the
as they exist in the original.
The name of
Grahastha Brahmin is, strictly speaking, only given to those
who are married, and who already have children.
young
Brahmin after his marriage ceases virtually to be a Brah-
machari, but as long as his wife by reason of her youth
remains with her parents, he is not considered a real
Grahastha.
He only earns the right to this title after he
has paid the debt to his ancestors, that is, by being the father
Brahmins who have fulfilled this latter condition
of a son.
form the real bulk of the caste it is they who uphold its
rights and settle any differences that may arise.
It is they
who are expected to see that the customs are observed and
to further them b}^ precept and example.
divisions
A
;
Introduction.
The Grahastha should rise every day about an hour and
a half before the sun appears above the horizon. On
be for Vishnu. He then
calls upon the following gods to cause the sun to rise,
saying
Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, Sun, Moon, Mars,
Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, cause the
rising his first thoughts should
'
:
dawn to appear
He pronounces
'
!
the
name
of his guru, or spiritual teacher,
and addresses the following prayer to him
I offer worship
to you
to you who resemble the god whom I love most
it is by your wise advice that I am able to escape the dangers
and perils of this world.'
He must then imagine himself to be the Supreme Being,
and say
I am God
I am
there is none other but me.
Brahma I enjoy perfect happiness, and am unchange-
able.'
He thinks deeply on this point with great com-
placency for some time, fully persuading himself that he
is really Brahma.
After this he addresses Vishnu thus
'
:
;
;
'
:
!
;
:
1
who
art a pure spirit, the giver of life to all things,
the ruler of the universe, and the husband of Lakshmi, by
your command I rise, and
about to occupy myself
with the affairs of this world.'
He must then think of what work he has before him
during the day, of the good deeds that he proposes to do,
and of the best means of carrying out his intentions. He
god,
am