FOR THE WELLBEING OF HUMAN BEING:

PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS IN THE LIMITED FRAME OF YOUR RELIGION, EDUCATION & ORDINATION:

Living on this universe is a continuous endless process only the generation is changed and happy truthful living must require a bond of healthy society is a universal truth find out by the saint & sagas during the Golden era of human life when the words like Hindus, Muslim, Christ etc. were yet to take place.

According to their set of thoughts, to which, we called it as Sanatan or Vedik tradition (parampara), all living things are part & portion of God whatever the place & position they are arranged at in His great & beautiful universe, and therefore, to establish full control on our mind and senses, and to fix the mind on the Supreme is the ultimate goal of Human life.

They strongly believe that a king and a sweeper are the similar basic elements towards the path of entire spiritual development of the mankind, and therefore, provided proper & due respect & importance to all persons.

They divided all human being according to the types & kinds of genes they carry by their birth in four castes (varnas) of Brahman, Kshatriy, Vaisya and Sudra and fixed their rights & duties so as to strictly follow four Ashrams, the idea of enjoying the world in a religious and regulated manner, followed by gradual retirement remains a powerful ideal. Each of the four ashrams has its specific duties. Ashram means "a place of spiritual shelter." Each stage of life is not only a natural part of the journey from cradle to grave, but a time at which spirituality can be developed.

The system of four ashrams say about the purpose of life, education, family values, renunciation and even ageism. All these stages resemble what happens in other societies & clarify all similarities & differences. They strongly agree with all those values which stand out for us and empower our personal reflection on how is our evaluation of these practices colored by our own world view and our own culture and upbringing?

1. Brahmachari (Student Life):

The brahmcharyashram, often away from the home (somewhat like a boarding school), was primarily intended for fostering spiritual values. Memorization and skill development were subsidiary to character formation and self-realization. Even sons of the royal family were expected to undergo this austere and rigorous training.

To be celibate and live a simple life, free from sense pleasure and material allurement.
To serve the guru (spiritual teacher) and collect alms for him.
To hear, study and assimilate the Vedas.
To develop all the appropriate qualities: humility, discipline, simplicity, purity of thought, cleanliness, soft-heartedness, and so on.

2. Grihastha (Household Life):

Traditionally some men remained lifelong celibates, either remaining as brahmacharis or immediately becoming sannyasis. Others were required to marry, extending their responsibilities to include wife, children, relatives, and society in general. This Grihasthashram is the only one permitting sexual gratification.

To make money and to enjoy sensual pleasure according to ethical principles.
To perform sacrifice and observe religious rituals.
To protect and nourish family members (wife, children, and elders).
To teach children spiritual values.
To give in charity, and especially to feed holy people, the poor, and animals.

3. Vanaprastha (Retired Life):

After the children have left home and settled, a man may gradually retire from family responsibilities and, with his wife, begin to focus his mind on spiritual matters. Often he goes on pilgrimage. His wife may accompany him, but all sexual relationships are forbidden. Vanaprasthashram literally means "forest-dweller."

To generally devote more time to spiritual matters.
To engage in austerity and penance.
To go on pilgrimage.

4. Sannyasa (Renounced Life):

This position is traditionally available only to men who exhibit the qualities of a brahmana. The man would leave home and family and was prohibited from seeing his wife again. Considered civilly dead, he was free to wander, living a life dependent on God alone. The sannyasis are conspicuous in their saffron dress. They are often called sadhus (holy people) – although today not all are genuine!

To fully control the mind and senses, and to fix the mind on the Supreme.
To become detached and fearless, fully dependent on God as the only protector.
To teach and preach the importance of self-realization and God-consciousness, especially to the householders, who often become distracted from their spiritual duties.

I AM AFRAID WHY TODAY WE ARE NOT STRICTLY FOLLOWING ALL THESE FOUR ASHRAMS?

IS IT NOT A YOGA OF WELL BEING FOR THE ENTIRE SOCIETY?

Mahesh Bhatt