HINDU VIEW OF LIFE- ASHRAMA SYSTEM

HINDU VIEW OF LIFE ASHRAMA SYSTEM Ashrama vyavastha is one of the fundamentals of our social organisation. According to this system, life is to be divided onto four ashramas. Brahmacharya Grahasthashrama Vanaprastha Sanyasa Each ashrama is considered very important for the development of a person and his faculties. It is also believed that each one will live in each ashrama for the period of at least 25 years. The word ashrama is derived from Sanskrit term, “s-rama” meaning there by exert itself. In the words of P.H. Prabhu, “the word therefore signifies a halt, a stoppage, on a stage in the journey of life just for the sake of rest in a sense, inorder to prepare oneself for further journey”. He further says “ashramas then are to be regarded as resting place during once journey on the way to final liberation, which is the final aim of life. The ashramas are considered steps towards moksha, which is ultimate end of human life. According to Hindu philosophy ashramas are considered essential for schooling and self-discipline. Hindu life was divided into four ashrama. These were: a. Brahmacharya b. Grahasthashrama c. Vanaprasthashrama d. Sanyasashrama 1. Brahmacharya: A boy at the age of seven was required to join at this ashrama and his parents is required to arrange a guru for him, who was his spiritual guru as well as his teacher., it was expected of the student to exclusively devote himself to the service him with out reservation. He resided in the campus under the overall supervision and control of the teacher. He was not to care for worldly life and was also forbidden to live a life of comfort and luxury. It was expected of the pupil that he should not go near the opposite sex, as long as he was brahmachari thus maintain absolute purity of character. Initiation of a person in to this ashrama makes him dwija or twice born. This is called upanayana initiation. It was during this period that he became a man of letters and also that he appreciated need and necessities of devotion to duty towards the teachers on the one hand and society on the other. 2. Grahasthashrama: Next stage in life of a person is considered to be the one when the worldly life. This ceremony is technically called samavarthana. This is considered to be the most important period of the life of an individual. It is believed that the future course of his life depended on this ashrama. It was the test of his ability, wisdom, social morality and social adaptability, what he had learned in theory was put into practice in this ashrama. It was his duty to earn wealth in accordance with dharma. He was to have children during this period. According to P.H. Prabhu, “the individual have to fulfill his obligation, crinas to the member of his family, to his deceased ancestor, to strangers and Gods in order to become fit to enter the next ashrama of vanaprastha. It is believed that, it is in this ashrama that dharma, artha and Kama exist together and these can be used for moksha. It is said the grahasthashrama alone can three purusharthas be practiced together and three rinas could all be discharged satisfactorily. This ashrama was also important because a person could learn to live in adjustment with others. He also learns to sacrifice selfishness, like life of pity and also that of sympathy. 3. Vanaprasthashrama: It is the third ashrama of life. It was hoped that an individual will join this ashrama at the age of 50. By this time it was expected that the person concerned will begin, to renunciate his worldly life slowly and gradually. He will now in a way begin to say goodbye to his married life. He was in position to lead a free life without any worldly obligations and start controlling his mind and soul. He should now search for moksha at intervals. He might even go to jungles for meditation. Now he should start to eat only vegetables and fruits. He should also not use sweet things and meat. It was expected of him to use deer skin or the bark of a tree as his cloths. He should also sleep on the floor besides under a tree without any attachment to outside world. It is expected of him that he should start giving responsibilities to his children so that they start picking up work and try to become self supporting in worldly and economic life. 4. Sanyasa: It is the last ashrama of Hindu life. In this ashrama usually a person is supposed to enter at the age of 75 years. It is at this stage of life that he is required to give up worldly life and lead a life of renisation. He should not care for artha or Kama. He should have neither desires or nor anxieties. He should struggle to control soul and try to get moksha or spiritual freedom. Reserved by Rakhesh.C.K. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of Rakhesh.C.K.