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The Puranas on Sacramental, Ethical and Philosophical Planes
251
Varna-labha(Acquisition or choice of vocation)
Under this head a newly married man formally chooses a calling appropriate to his family or class. He is further asked to build a separate house for himself to live an independent family life. Kulacaryaie (observance of family tradition)
As implied by the term, the sacrament is more a code of conduct than a mere rite. This is something like an oath-taking ceremony in which the houscholder solemnly resolves to live in accordance with his family tradition Grhista?' (authority over the members of the household)
By this rite a householder establishes authority, as the master of the household, over the members of the family. Praśäntata80
This means that the householder, finding his eldest son capable of supporting himself and members of the family should entrust him with the management and conduct of the household affairs. Then, he himself, should retire from the active life of the householder and live a life of peace and conunence As explained by Jinasena, "detachment from the sense-objects, devotion to the daily study of the religious texts and observance of the various kinds of fasting constitute the state of tranquility (Praśāntatā) '81 Gchatyaga
This ceremony is to be performed at the time of one's leaving the house. Having worshipped the Siddhas, the man concerned should invite his friends and well-wishers and in their presence, he should hand over the charge of the entire estate to his eldest son The incumbent should be directed to apportion 1/3 of the property for being spent on religious acts, 77 38 135-141 78 38 142-43 79. 38 144-47 80 98 148-49 81 विषयेष्वनभिष्वङ्गो नित्यस्वाध्यायशीलता। नानाविधोपवासश्च वृत्तिरिया प्रशान्तता ।।
-Ibid., 88.149,
