FIH_Chapter-10.pdf - Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family PDF

Chapter 10 Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family The concept of family has always held a central place in Indian culture, rooted deeply in ancient literature and philosophical teachings. In the current context, a fast-paced world where consumerism and individualism are on the...

Chapter 10 Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family The concept of family has always held a central place in Indian culture, rooted deeply in ancient literature and philosophical teachings. In the current context, a fast-paced world where consumerism and individualism are on the rise, it becomes crucial to revisit the age-old wisdom present in ancient Indian texts that underscores the significance of family in the development of youngsters. This article aims to delve into the teachings from ancient Indian literature, explore the role of family in shaping young minds, and the importance of marriage for a prosperous society. To say that we are living in a very fast-paced and secluded society, surely won’t be an exaggeration. The rate of growth in every sector of work has increased, which in turn demands people to handle more complex situations in their workplaces. In this new world order, where change is the only constant, uncertainty seems trivial. Today, everyone seems to be so immersed in their tiny universes, struggling to find a heartfelt connection with other individuals. In the recent past, the human race has made highly commendable accomplishments in material comforts and technology. However, for a substantial proportion of the population, the aspect of Quality Of Life (QOL) stands a distant dream. Mental health and lifestyle diseases that cripple humanity, especially young adults, are a cause for concern. Every year the cases of divorce, anxiety, depression, etc. are only rising1. One reason for this situation is that a weak family system makes individuals more vulnerable, increasing their chances of meeting with unhappy situations. This is where we must take a look at the way of life prevalent in our country. After observing the life cycle of a human being, based on the primary responsibility of an individual at different junctures of life, our ancestors divided human life into four stages. They called these four stages as Ashramas. The Brahmacharya (Student Life), Garhastya (Married Life), Vanaprastha (Retirement Life) and Sannyasa (Renunciation). The Four-Ashram System in India is, in that way, a very thoughtful system that ensures a purposeful living at every stage. It provides clear short-term goals for success in life. The Four Ashrams 1 https://ijip.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/18.01.165.20231102.pdf Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family 115 Out of these four Ashramas, the Garhastya plays a pivotal role in shaping not only an individual, but rather generations. It is through married life; a person enters into a more responsible role of creating and sustaining a family. That is why marriage is considered sacred and celebrated more than any life event. Rigveda blesses the newly married couple thus, “Abide here together; may you never be separated; live together all your lives, sporting with sons and grandsons, happy in your own home.”2 The family has been considered as the basic unit of a community in the Indian peninsula for ages. Its roots can be traced back to our ancient literature and philosophical teachings. It was clear for the wise-men of ancient India that, humans being a highly evolved social animal, collectiveness would play a crucial role in leading a purposeful life. They knew that the primary relationship that a person can naturally have is with their parents and siblings. Thus, the family institution was given utmost importance in one’s life. That is why unlike the USA or UK, the family system is an inseparable part of Indian society. When the western world with their short sightedness promoted and modelled their social system around an individual, our ancestors made family as the primary unit of a society. The western world started facing the issues of individualism only when they realised that the promised personal freedom and economic independence comes with a hefty price.They hence started promoting collectivism as an accepted social model. If you look at the current Indian diaspora, they are very particular on imparting their family values to the coming generations. The Indian scenario is a little different at present. Globalisation and the pervasive nature of information technology, has drastically altered the aspirations of an average Indian youth. In their 2 ihaiva stam mā vi yauṣṭaṃ viśvam āyur vy aśnutam | krīḻantau putrair naptṛbhir modamānau sve gṛhe || Rigveda 10.85.42 116 Foundations of Indian Heritage pursuit of becoming a global citizen, we witness a generation who are primarily money oriented than wealth oriented. It could also be that they got fooled by colourful advertisements, and hence failed to realise that their character, health, personal connections, emotional bonding with family, etc. are the greatest wealth which money can never buy. The Purusharthas in Indian tradition, advises us to make as much money as we can, by following a more holistic approach. The veterans, after sailing through the ocean of life, underscore that a life cannot be successful just by acquiring materialistic wealth. Rather, finding a sense of fulfilment and contentment from within makes one’s life successful. The Indic name for ‘family’ is ‘Kutumbam’. Do you know what that means? In Sanskrit, the word ‘Kutumbam’ means, ‘that which supports and nourishes’. A well known decade-long Harvard research on human happiness reaffirms that, “close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives…”3 That is why we all need a family. Just look around, at the families of your friends and classmates. The atmosphere in every family would not be the same. But irrespective of that, every family strives to provide the best to their succeeding generations. Some very common roles that a family plays in shaping an individual are: 1. Moral and Ethical Foundation Even though the authority pattern and division of labour within the 3 ihttps://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been- showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/ Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family 117 Indian family system is changing, there must be some foundational principles that remain intact. They are value systems and ethics. Most of us have learnt the basics of human values, ethics and morality from our family outset. This is possible because you have members from different age groups who accept you as one of them, and provide a comfortable atmosphere for interaction. Respecting elders, helping others, etc. are some of the early lessons that every individual receives from a family. These values serve as a compass guiding them through life’s challenges. 2. Cultural Transmission Families play a crucial role in transmitting culture and heritage. Through rituals, traditions, and storytelling, youngsters are introduced to the rich tapestry of their cultural fabric. This connection with one’s roots fosters a sense of identity and belonging. We must remember that, ‘Unity in Diversity’ in our country is not accidental, but the result of an unbroken chain of cultural transmission, through the families of Bharat. 3. Emotional Support and Well-being The family acts as a support system during both joyous and challenging times. Youngsters, when nurtured in a loving family environment, develop emotional resilience and a sense of security, essential for their overall well-being. This is very crucial during the early stages of child development. No wonder why Indian tradition reveres parents as God in human form (Mata-Pita-Guru-Daivam). They have done the most sacrifice and provided the care and support for the well-being of a child. 4. Inculcating Social Responsibility Families serve as the first school where youngsters learn about their social responsibilities. Our ancient texts highlight the interconnectedness of individuals within a community and 118 Foundations of Indian Heritage stress the importance of contributing positively to society, starting with one’s own family. That is why even in the business world, the term ‘family’ has got a deeper meaning. If you look at the employees of Tata for example, they are proud to say they belong to the Tata Family. This was not the case when the industrial era took birth. They had only a master-servant relationship. Only when Indian thoughts came into business management a better human approach in the industrial world came into existence. The highest form of this concept is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, meaning, ‘the world is one family’. This stands as the most practical form of socialism and humanism. Take a moment to think about your childhood and list a few positive roles that your family played in your upbringing. When we think about our families, there might be some shortcomings and issues. But no matter what, every individual is immensely influenced by their family. Just think about the comforts that you’re having now. You owe your parents a lot for that. The strength that a family provides to a human being is invaluable. There is a deeper sense of belonging, openness, trust, and emotional support in a family ecosystem. But what are your thoughts on raising a family of your own? Sounds cliche? According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, more than 1 in 3 (34%) people have never been married in 2022. That’s up from about 1 in 4 (23%) in 1950. In a survey4 more than half of the GenZ group said that they did not want to have a marriage or lead a family life. They prefer living- together, rather than a long-term legal commitment. In this world of instant gratification, lust overpowering love can only be natural. Here, individuals primarily care about their https://thrivingcenterofpsych.com/blog/millennials-gen-z-marriage-expectations-statistics/ 4 Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family 119 pleasure alone and are not ready to take up responsibility for their actions which creates a lot of troubles in modern families. Another cause could be the image that is portrayed in society about the institution of marriage. The lack of education in entering a married life makes the lives of many youngsters miserable but it is portrayed as the problem of the institution called marriage itself. Another thing we must understand is the role consumerism plays in this scenario. The business world at large wants you to spend all your money and buy goods. But countries like India, where family systems and traditional values are solid, tend to follow a more savings-oriented culture due to their strong commitment to family. So the best option to promote consumerism would be disintegrating the family and promoting individualism. This idea is promoted through mass media and advertisements, and we are made to believe that family is a burden. The younger generation has to understand the importance and role of a family in shaping their past, present, and future. They must also understand the role of family as a foundational unit of a society. Having a family and making it a happy place to live in, is a great exercise to a person’s journey towards perfection. It is a playground where you get trained in caring and sharing, learning and mentoring, adjustability and adaptability, and a lot of memories to cherish for a lifetime. Activity: Create a family tree. Try to trace back as many generations as you can. 120 Foundations of Indian Heritage Conclusion The Indian family concept is a very positive, individually empowering, sustainable model that acts as a basic unit of humanity and is capable of transforming social, economic, and personal conditions positively. There is no doubt that if assimilated and applied in its proper sense, this model will serve as a solution to most of the problems that mankind is facing today. Ancestral Anchors: The Indian Family 121