Talk:The Ideal Households

By Vishal Agarwal

The Śāstras describe an ideal household as one where the couple live in harmony, faithful to each other, and blessed with children who are obedient and loving. Such a family shares prosperity, worships together, and dwells in a sturdy and well-endowed home. Their lives are long, happy, and virtuous, with minimal sickness or untimely death.

May you two (husband and wife) live in your own home your full life together, never parted from each other, playing with your children and grandchildren.Rigveda 10.85.42

Unite, O Lord, this couple like a pair of Chakravāka birds. May they be surrounded by children, living long and happy lives together. Atharvaveda 14.2.64

The family in which the wife is always satisfied with her husband and the husband is satisfied with his wife always secures happiness, well-being and stability. Manusmṛti 3.60

He alone is a perfect man who consists of three persons united – himself, his wife and his children. This is what the Vedas teach, and likewise the learned Brāhmaṇas also state that, ‘The husband is one with the wife.’ Manusmṛti 9.45

Husband and wife, in sweet accord, pour milk offerings to the Devas, press and strain the Soma juice. Rigveda 8.31.5

They acquire a bounteous store of food and come united to the yajña altar. Their strength never diminishes. Rigveda 8.31.6

They do not stray away from the Devas nor do they conceal the gifts from Devas. Thus, they acquire great glory. Rigveda 8.31.7

With sons and daughters at their side, they live a long life, dressed with gold ornaments. Rigveda 8.31.8

Devoted to yajña, accumulating wealth, they serve the Immortal and worship the Devas, united in mutual love. Rigveda 8.31.9

Here do I fix my home. May it stand firm and overflow with ghee. May we enter you, our Home, with all our family members sound in mind and limbs. Atharvaveda 3.12.1

Here do you stand, firm dwelling, rich in horses and cattle, pleasantly resounding, wealthy in food abundant, ghee and milk. Stand erect for great good fortune. Atharvaveda 3.12.2

The union of hearts and minds and freedom from hate I'll bring you. Love one another as the cow loves the calf that she has borne. Atharvaveda 3.30.1

Let son be loyal to father and of one mind with his mother. Let wife speak to husband words that are honey sweet and gentle. Atharvaveda 3.30.2

Let not brother hate a brother, nor a sister hate a sister, unanimous, united in aims, speak you words with friendliness. Atharvaveda 3.30.3

I will make the prayer for that concord among men at home by which Devas do not separate, nor ever hate one another. Atharvaveda 3.30.4

Be not parted – growing old, taking thought, thriving together, moving under a common yoke; come speaking sweetly to one another; I'll make you have one aim and be of one mind. Atharvaveda 3.30.5

Common be your water-store, common your share of food; I bind you together to a common yoke; United, gather around the sacrificial fire, like spokes around the nave of a wheel. Atharvaveda 3.30.6

With your common desire I'll make you all have one aim, be of one mind, following one leader, like Devas who preserve their immortality. Morning and evening may there always be a loving heart in you. Atharvaveda 3.30.7

When a family life possesses love and virtue, it has found both its essence and fruition. Tirukkuṟaḷ, chapter 5, Kural 45