The Five Parenting Guidelines

These guidelines or "Pancha Kutumba Sadhana" describe the principles that guide fathers and mothers in setting strong religious examples that nurture children and teach them to follow the path of dharma and thus pass Hinduism to the next generation. The 5 guidelines are as follows:

Dharmachara: Good Conduct
Dharma Svagriha: Home Worship
Dharma Sambhashana: Talking About Religion
Dharma Svadhyaya: Continuing Self-Study
Dharma Sanga: Following a Spiritual Preceptor

Note: This series is specially created for children with help from the Himalayan Academy and Kauai's Hindu Monastery in Hawaii. Written by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and illustrated by A Manivel, these first appeared in the book Dancing with Siva.

Dharmachara: Good Conduct

1. Dharmachara: Good Conduct

Loving fathers and mothers, knowing they are the greatest influence in a child's life, should behave the way their dear children should when adults. They never anger or argue before young ones. Father in a dhoti, mother in a sari at home, all sing to God, Gods and guru.

Dharma Svagriha: Home Worship

2. Dharma Svagriha: Home Worship

Loving fathers and mothers should establish a separate shrine room in the home for God, Gods and guardian devas of the family. Ideally it should be large enough for all the dear children. It is a sacred place for scriptural study, a refuge from the karmic storms of life.

Dharma Sambhashana: Talking About Religion

3. Dharma Sambhashana: Talking About Religion

Loving fathers and mothers should speak Vedic precepts while driving, eating and playing. This helps dear children understand experiences in right perspective. Parents know many worldly voices are blaring, and their dharmic voice must be stronger.

Dharma Svadhyaya: Continuing Self-Study

4. Dharma Svadhyaya: Continuing Self-Study

Loving fathers and mothers should keep themselves informed by studying the Vedas, Agamas and sacred literature, listening to swamis and panditas. Youth face a world they will one day own, thus parents prepare their dear children to guide their own future progeny.

Dharma Sanga: Following a Spiritual Preceptor

5. Dharma Sanga: Following a Spiritual Preceptor

Loving fathers and mothers should choose a preceptor, a traditional satguru, and lineage to follow. They support their lineage with all their heart, energy and service. He in turn provides them clear guidance for a successful life, material and religious.