The
Rishis of yore were spiritual scientists. They were able to see profound truths
in meditation and they taught these truths to the people for development and
progress in society and nation. They foresaw that man’s life had to be planned
systemically so that he could live his life to the fullest, gain knowledge,
earn wealth, fulfil all his desires, contribute to development of society and
walk the spiritual path to attain salvation or moksha. They charted out the
four ashramas or stages in life of man. Life expectancy was a 100 years and
four stages of 25 years were made. The purpose of this life planning was to
ultimately attain self realisation or enlightenment in this very world and in
this very life. In the modern world today, our lifestyles have changed but the
basic idea of the development given in the four ashramas are applicable today
as it was in those days.
Brahmacharya
– the Celibate Student: this is the time when the young male left his home and went to the ashram of the Guru to
attain learning, attaining knowledge and foundation of lifestyle. It was a period of formal education. During
this period, he is called a brahmachari and is a celibate. He prepares for his
future profession, family, social and religious life. The focus was on healthy and positive
training and discipline and all round knowledge.
Grihastha
– the Householder: The student is now a man and gets married and earns a
living. He takes care of his wife, children and relatives. He earns wealth and
fulfils all his desires. He shares his wealth by way of donations and offerings
to needy and the saint community. He learns to give, live, love in family and
community. All religious and spiritual practices are done in context to worldly
life and service to others.
Vanaprastha
– the Hermit: by the time man was fifty he was a grandfather with grown
children. His duties as a householder come to an end. He should renounce all
physical, sexual and material pleasures and reduce his participation in the
family affairs. He is now a matured mentor for his children and community. He
does not renounce his home. He reduces to minimum his involvement in family and
social affairs. Both husband and wife live a simple lifestyle and start longer
and more disciplined spiritual practices.
Sanyasa-
the Renunciate: At the age of seventy
five, the husband and wife are totally
devoted to God. They are now sanyasis or renunciates. They have no involvement
in any worldly goals. This is the final phase in which they seek the ultimate
goal of self enlightenment. They also play the role of an elder teacher of
spiritual knowledge.
We
can see that each stage of life provides man with ample opportunity for
development in all areas of life – physical, material and spiritual. Throughout
life, man is given training and opportunity to develop his spiritual aspect
along with other duties. Having fulfilled all desires and relationships in
life, man walks towards his ultimate goal – self realisation.
We
all come from different countries, cultures, religions, philosophies and
approaches to life. The framework provided by the Rishis for the four ashramas
of life and the life planning has great value for all of us. We are now in a
particular stage of life. We may have not lived our previous stages of life in
the prescribed manner. But if we are aware and committed to the current and
later stages of life, we can live our lives with comfort, clarity and peace as
we progress on path of Self Realisation.
