Ashrama (stage)

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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

The Ashram system

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.[1][2]

The Ashram system
Ashram or stage Age Description[1][2][3][4] Rituals of transition
Brahmacharya
(student life)
5-24 The child would live with his family till he was at the age of 5. He would then be sent to a Gurukul (house of the guru) and typically would live with a Guru (teacher), acquiring knowledge of science, philosophy, scriptures and logic, practicing self-discipline and celibacy, learning to live a life of dharma (righteousness). Upanayana at entry.
Grihastha
(household life)
25-49 The ideal householder life is spent in enjoying family life, carrying out one's duties to family and society, and gainful labor. Samavartana at entry. Other rituals of Hindu marriage later.
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 (freedom from the cycle of rebirth), and practicing meditation to that end.

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 (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation).

Developmental
stages of life
Period Ashrama
(stages of
dutiful life)
Purushartha
(aims of life)
Description
Saisava 0–2 years No moral codes during this period
Balya 3–12 years Brahmacharya Dharma Vidyarambha, Learning of alphabets, arithmetic, basic education according to varna
Kaumara
(13 - 19)
Kaishora 13–15 years Brahmacharya Dharma
Tarunya 16–19 years Brahmacharya Dharma
Yauvana
(20 - 59)
Yauvana-I
(Tarunayauvana)
20–29 years Brahmacharya or Grihastha Dharma and Artha
Youvana-II
(Praudhayauvana)
30–59 years Grihastha Dharma, Artha and Kama
Vardhakya
(60+ )
Vardhakya
(Period-I)
60–79 years Vanaprastha Dharma
Vardhakya
(Period-II)
80+ years Sanyasa Dharma and Moksha

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Chakkarath, p. 39.
  2. ^ a b Rama, p. 467.
  3. ^ Kriyananda, p. 154.
  4. ^ Ashrama, Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

References

External links