In Garuda Purana, great importance has been given to death, funeral rites and family arrangements as well as father-son relationships while alive. According to this Purana, the father is the foundation of the family and as long as he is alive, the son should follow certain limits.
These rules are not limited to religious rituals but are also meant to maintain discipline, respect and balance in the home. In texts like Manusmriti and Garuda Purana, it has been repeatedly emphasized that the son should take care of his place while living with the father. This maintains hierarchy in the family and strengthens the feeling of mutual respect. Let us understand in simple words which five things a son should avoid while his father is alive.
not fulfilling the role of head of the household
Garuda Purana clearly states that as long as the father is alive, the father has the right to take major decisions, religious rituals and lead the family. The son should not step forward and try to prove himself as the leader. If the son starts taking charge of the household without the father’s consent or in his presence, it is considered against the hierarchy. This may lead to breakdown of discipline in the family. The son should respect his father by acting as a helper.
Do not do ancestral work yourself
The father has the first right to perform ancestral rituals like Tarpan, Pind Daan or Shraddha of ancestors. It is described in Garuda Purana that the son himself should not do these deeds while the father is alive. If the son does this, it is considered interference in the father’s authority. The purpose of this tradition is to honor the sequence of generations. The son should participate in these tasks while the father is there, but should not take the lead.
Father’s name should not be kept primary in donation
If the son does any charity, charity or religious work, then according to tradition the father’s name should be placed first. It is emphasized in Garuda Purana that the benefit of charity or virtue should be first offered in the name of the father. Putting forward the name of the son or naming oneself as the main donor is considered against the prestige of the family and respect for the elders. This maintains the dignity of the lineage and the son also gets freedom from ancestral debt.
Changing the order of names in social events
At any social event, invitation letter, wedding or public forum, it is considered etiquette to write the father’s name first and the son’s name later. There is an indication in Garuda Purana and Manu Smriti that the son should not put his name forward while the father is alive. This may seem like a small thing, but it has great importance in tradition. This maintains a sense of respect and hierarchy in the family.
not changing traditional symbols
In ancient times, mustache was associated with the dignity and patriarchy of the clan. There is an indication in Garuda Purana that a son should not get his mustache cut while his father is alive. Although times have changed today and this practice has reduced, its basic meaning was that the father’s place is paramount. The son should not change some traditional symbols while the father is alive.
These 5 things have been mentioned in Garuda Purana and Hindu tradition to maintain the dignity of father-son relations. By following these, discipline, respect and harmony is maintained in the family. The son should keep these rules in mind while his father is alive, because it is not only a religious duty but also the basis of family balance.
Disclaimer: We do not claim that the information given in this article is completely true and accurate. For detailed and more information, please consult an expert in the relevant field.