The division of entire human life span in Sanatan Dharma under fours distinct categories are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanprastha and Sannyasa is another unique pearl of the necklace called Hinduism. Named as "Ashram Vyavastha" it is a system devised by our revered sages to support the human efforts for achieving the esteemed aims of life. This system is a structure designed to maintain focus of human beings throughout their life span so that right priorities are pursued for a fulfilling life. The stages defined under this system are completely in sync with nature, aging process of the body, social demand and maturity of mind. Basic aim behind this four-step staging is to fix proper orientation of this journey called life towards the search of divine.
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| Four Stages of Life |
Sages have realized that human desires and instincts have strong pressures and take out a lot of energy from his entire life and that unless it is properly guided, there remains a risk of people continuing after worldly desires having no time to pursue other equally pressing obligations. The Ashram system works as a system of moral checks and balances, a system for maintaining balance in line with physical changes in the human body. This is yet another unique contribution of Indian sages to the world and has no parallel.
To make the matrix complete, we can also briefly touch upon the four aims of life as propagated by Hinduism. These are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The objective of four prescribed Ashram system is to inculcate the sense of divinity as we go after hard realities of human life without losing divinity and by continuously holding dharma. As such, this system works as a road map with proper milestones reminding us to change gear as we go along the narrow and intertwined road called life. It tells us as to what are the highest ideals of human life at each stage of life so that we can continue finding balance in our present day requirements and ultimate aim of human life.
Again, these are universal principles and will remain relevant as long as man survives. Of course, with changing environment and time cycles, there may be a need to redefine the dose and don'ts so that the magic of the ageless principles does not get lost. Let us try to understand the Four Stages along with present day context:
First: Brahmacharya Ashram
This exciting first stage is said to start at about eighth year of a person's life and is devoted for learning all types of subjects with underlying conditions of celibacy, strict discipline, chastity and obedience. In ancient times, the sole purpose was to learn the Vedas and other education by remaining at Gurukul (Forest Academy). This stage was supposed to continue up to the age of twenty five years. But it can be taken to extend up to the time that person continues acquiring knowledge and wisdom in his chosen field. Every young man is different and different professions/subjects require varying lengths of period. So spirit should be given importance over letter. There are also different stages within each subject. Some one pursuing Ph.D may remain in this stage upto 27-28 and if some one just wishes to finish college, he may come out of this stage at 20. So, depending on individual cases, especially with reference to current social norms, the length of Ashram will need to be adjusted but without compromising the desired virtues of celibacy and disciplined life.
The theme is that whatever you wish to learn, and so long as you are engaged in learning, please ensure that:
• Turbulent desires are kept under control lest these start inflicting injuries on your moral and physical health.
• Learn to remain master of senses and sense organs lest you should become enslaved by natural instincts that will prove to be the roadblocks to the process of learning.
• Develop the capacity to remain strictly disciplined to make strong foundation for the achievements during balance period of your life.
• Acquire full knowledge of spiritual practices and live the concept of Dharma as prescribed by our scriptures.
Understanding Brahmacharya as observing celibacy alone is a narrow view. Celibacy is part of discipline that is recommended for a person engaged in acquiring knowledge. It is hardly difficult to assume, even today, that only a student approaching his education with controlled desires and senses and maintaining strict moral discipline alone will achieve his results. The focus here is not only on subject knowledge alone but equally on harmony with morality and spirituality.
A mind not well-trained in this stage of Brahmacharya will remain weak and helpless to resist its worldly tendencies. Strong and purified mind developed in this stage is always going to remain strong foundation for all subsequent stages to overpower anxieties, worries, lack of priorities and lack of balance among conflicting pursuits of entire human life.
Second: Grihastha Ashram
Having obtained complete knowledge in the previous stage, it is expected that by now the soul is fully incarnated. It is now time for using the awakened body and mind to accumulate as many Karma credits as possible. Now is the time to go after natural tendencies of pursuing money; fame and power but without compromising with Dharma. This is also the time to marry and initiate the process of procreation. Two important aims of life namely Artha and Kama need to be pursued and achieved is this stage of life. To do that, one is expected to use his skills for his trade, cater to material needs for all subsequent stages of life, actively serve society; and experience fulfilling narrow objects. For this stage in life, Vedas recommend daily puja and rituals which are nothing but daily reminders to the person about his final destination so that he/she does not get overwhelmed by worldly concerns and anxieties that they forget the distance to be covered in their balance journey. Religious rituals are to work as regular reminders to let them constantly know that they have many things to do and miles to go.
Again, our scriptures prescribe that everything to be pursued in this stage, has to be under the umbrella of Dharma; because worldly experience makes it easy to forget the difference between right and wrong. Fine, one has to accumulate material wealth to fuel the rest of the journey but be careful not to acquire too many 'debits' for your karma lest your samsara should get lengthened rather than shortened.
Interestingly; the Way shown by Hindu Concepts are Both Practical and Ideal at the Same Time.
But this stage must end by the time one turns fifty years of age. And this is where most of us get into trouble. Needless to say that ignorance binds us to continue this stage without stoppage. It is natural to seek more time than we already got. The desires of money, fame and power are insatiable and have no limit. One can never get enough of these. But, if you continue pursuing it, it will be at the cost of time recommended for the next stage in life. In modern life, you hardly come across someone who is ready to exit Grihastha Ashram at the turn of fifty But this is perfectly doable, and I say so with my own live example. All you need is the firm conviction that you must end on time. Further, if one were convinced of it being the right way; surely, he would have planned his actions of last few years in a manner to make it happen. In my personal case, it was possible for me to meet most of deadlines by my fiftieth year and that inspired me to come out of the career so that I could devote my full time and energy in pursuing the next stage of life. But for the inspiration from this ancient system, this very book may not have been in our hands as I would have been attending some business meeting rather than writing these lines.
Third: Vanprastha Ashram
When you are through with your worldly obligation for your direct family and immediate society, have scaled the height of your full potential in your profession, are well provided for basic material requirements for your remaining life, have repaid all your debts, then it is time for you to systematically work on making your soul happy. You might ignore or keep your eyes closed but now onwards, you are supposed to work for improving your after life. With the understanding of 'Law of Karma', we know that the 'Samsara' will continue till the 'debits of karma' get neutralised. But it needs to be worked upon. Grihastha Ashram, by its very nature of the activities carried out for pursuits of money; power and fame, makes it impossible to earn 'credits of karma'.
Our ancient sages were practical enough to realize the reality of life. Hence, they recommended for Vanprastha. But its meaning in current time has changed. Literally; it means moving on the edge of the society towards forest but the real meaning is dissolution of attachments with worldly relations and giving up the life of luxuries. The knowledge of detachment will refine the enjoyment and enhance spiritual orientation. The best understanding of this stage of life is summarized by Manu Samhita Chapter 6, shloka no. 8, which is produced below with present day meaning (a translation but not a literal translation):
"He should be engaged in regular study, control his senses, keep friendly behaviour with everyone and maintain a tranquil mind at all times. He visit always give charity us best as he can, should have mercy for all living beings."
This is the time for silently giving back to society at large with your wisdom and experience. While in this stage of life, one is financially self reliant, physically fit and mentally alert. So, this is tlie right time to acquire spiritual knowledge, learn how to give up worldly pleasures, spend time in contemplation and meditation while remaining available to guide and educate everyone who is willing and desirous to learn from you. You should bring changes in your food habits and must 'eat to live' and not 'live to eat'. You must stay away from any form of attachment with whatever kind. All types of attachments are known to colour your thoughts and weaken you to see clearly. All the energies at your disposal must be regulated for enhancing spiritual orientation with eyes on attainment of Moksha.
To pursue this stage in current perspective, it is not obligatory to move to the edge of the society or go settle in forests but to refrain from attaching yourself in worldly life suitable only for a person in his previous stage of Grihastha. Living in forest but the world, desires, family and friends occupying every second of your thoughts is certainly not having moved to Vanaprastha. On the reverse, remaining in the heart of the city but spending time for meditation, yoga or study of scriptures to enhance own spirituality is very much promotion to Vanprastha.
This is the stage where you must condition yourself to lose dominance in every sphere of life. It is a tough call but experience of learned sages is there to prompt us and guide us for experiencing the freedom of giving up. This is the stage to give up everything you have, both good and not so good; donate money as much as you can, keep yourself free to help society by sharing your wealth of wisdom and experience. This is the time to encourage your children to live their life independently and be a guide to them, but only for issues that they bring to your attention. Because now you are not pursuing things for any selfish motive, you will feel a unique satisfaction allowing you to look everything with broader outlook.
You have to live life of a recluse who is supposed to talk less but listen more; who is doing less but experiencing more; who has stopped receiving but enjoys in giving. With minimum possessions and far away from luxuries, you feel happiness only in exploring your own consciousness with whatever means known to you. This is actually the most rewarding stage in life where you are supposed to be at peace with yourself. During Vedic period when many people were opting for this stage regularly; great achievements were accomplished by people living in this stage of life. The composition of Upanishads, the running of forest academies, evolution of defining concepts in theology and philosophies of Hinduism were all the result of these people who went ahead on these uncharted waters and produced some great heritage. Surely, people engaged in accumulating material wealth or enjoying luxuries of life can't be expected to contribute on other fronts.
Some of the unwanted fears and frustrations in our present day society are due to overlooking of this great tradition. Today, most of the people wish to continue with Grihastha ashram till last day of their life. This leads to conflict with next generation and a void on spiritual knowledge working to generate unwanted diseases, anguish, afflictions and distresses.
The stage is to be continued up to the age of seventy-five years. This is a transition stage with ultimate pursuit of God.
Fourth: Sannyasa Ashram
After successful completion of Vanprastha stage of life, the person is expected to become one with universal humanity after dissolving all the ignorance of separate existence. Now, he has nothing to call his own. He is in service of others. He should be completely in control of his own destiny. He rejoices every opportunity of consoling others, motivating others and guiding others for pursuing the Dharma-filled life.
It is wrong to say that he has become useless and all he is doing awaiting death. On the contrary, an elder on the path of Dharma has already lost any fear of death, as he is able to see reality beyond human life. Yes, physical body is deteriorating but the soul is at its best. His discipline, wisdom, spiritual attainments are all helping him to connect with the supreme reality like never before. For his cessation of human body is going to be only just a brief interval after which a new life will await his soul in new life.
It is unfortunate that compulsions of material world rejected a highly commendable system of living life with migration from one stage to another in a seamless manner. Undoubtedly, the price of this rejection is the widespread fears and frustration among various sections of the society where people feel threatened for their position, where no one has time left to pursue spirituality; accumulation of Karmic debits are going unnoticed.
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