At the appearance of the first signs of old age, when the body is still going strong, he should retire to the forest, with or without his spouse, and spend his time in contemplation on God. This is Vanaprastha, the third stage, which however is considered. as an intermediary step only, the final step being Sannyasa. Total abjuration of the desires of the flesh, and striving for Moksha with single minded devotion are the chief characteristics of this Ashrama.

It is the crowning glory of  the Ashrama system.  Though these Ashram as are to be  accepted one after another in tha  order exceptions have been recognized and permitted. Those endowed with an intense spirit of renunciation and hankering for Moksha can take to Sannyasa at any stage of life. The life of an individual is a journey towards perfection. To make this journey safe and smooth is the primary purpose of the Ashrama system. This however needs a congenial atmosphere to be generated in the society of which the individual is an integral part.

The Varna system was the result of the attempt at creating such an atmosphere. This was actually a recognition of the natural fourfold division that already existed in the society, a division based on Guna (qualities) and Karma (vocation).  The four Varnas are: Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras.  Men of learning, wisdom and austerity who had devoted their lives to the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge were called Brahmanas. They were personifications of the ideal of 'simple living and high thinking'. Men of arms, who excelled in valour and chivalry, devoted their lives to the Protection of the society, by acting as bulwarks against external  aggression and maintaining internal law and order, were known as Kshatriyas.

Many of them, especially the kings, rose to enviable spiritual heights also.  Those engaged in trade, commerce and agriculture, who were responsible for the production of wealth and distribution of goods, were named Vaisyas. Others who earned their livelihood by physical labour and service to the other three groups came to be known as Sudras.  In the contemporary society, for all practical purposes, only two Ashramas exist: Grahasthya and Sannyasa. As regards the Varnas, they have been lost in the labyrinth of innumerable castes. 

[ Back ] [ Hinduism Q&A ] [ Up ]