|
Page1
The word Asrama means that which is learnt with effort.
Hindu Sastras have prescribed four asramas to a man. They are Brahmacharya, Garhastya,
Vanaprastha and Sanyasa.They are stages in one’s life.
As soon as a boy reaches the age of eight or so, he is given the sacred thread and he
enters Brahmacharya. He is then called a Brahmachari. He learns the Vedas. We
may call this asrama the period of studentship.
In former days a Brahmachari went to the Guru’s home and stayed there as a member of
his family or Guru-kula.
He got up before sunrise, bathed, performed Sandhya worship, offered the fire worship
called Samidh-adhana and learnt the Vedas. He served the Guru who taught him the Vedas.
Author - Dharamsey M. Khatau
|
