In ancient India, Brahmans used to light a sacred fire upon the birth of a son.
This fire was maintained till the boy attained the age of sixteen.
Then, the sacred fire used to be handed over to the boy with two options. Either he go to jungle for Sannyasa or to learn the Vedas and sacred text in Gurukul and return in the world as Grihastha.
As a general rule, every Brahman maintained the sacred fire and kept it perpetually alive till his death, when he was cremated with the same fire. He carried it with him wherever he went and poured oblations into it every morning and evening.
This fire was maintained till the boy attained the age of sixteen.
Then, the sacred fire used to be handed over to the boy with two options. Either he go to jungle for Sannyasa or to learn the Vedas and sacred text in Gurukul and return in the world as Grihastha.
As a general rule, every Brahman maintained the sacred fire and kept it perpetually alive till his death, when he was cremated with the same fire. He carried it with him wherever he went and poured oblations into it every morning and evening.