|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ashrama (stage) |
An Ashrama (āśrama) in Hinduism is one of four stages in an age-based social system as laid out in the Manu Smrti and later Classical Sanskrit texts.
Contents |
Under the Ashram system, the average human life was regarded as one hundred years, consisting of four periods of twenty-five years each. The goal of each period was the ideal fulfillment of four consecutive life stages.12
| Ashram or stage | Age | Description1234 |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmacharya (student life) |
0-24 | The child typically would live with a Guru (spiritual teacher), acquiring knowledge, practicing self-discipline and celibacy, learning to live a life of dharma (right action), and practicing meditation. |
| Grihastha (household life) |
25-49 | The ideal householder life is spent in selflessly carrying out one's duties to family and society, serving the saints, and gainful labor. |
| Vanaprastha (retired life) |
50-74 | After the completion of one's householder duties, one gradually withdraws from the world, freely shares wisdom with others, and prepares for the complete renunciation of the final stage. |
| Sannyasa (renounced life) |
75-100 | Completely withdrawing from the world, this is a time of complete dedication to spiritual pursuits, the seeking of moksha (spiritual freedom), and practicing meditation. |
The Ashram system is believed by the Hindus to lead to a fulfillment of the four aims of life, namely Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires, passions, emotions, drives, incentives) and Moksha (liberation).
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |