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Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः) (view source)
Revision as of 16:53, 14 May 2018
, 16:53, 14 May 2018→Ashrama System: Added content to 'Universality of Ashrama System' with citation
=== The Purpose of Ashrama system ===
=== The Purpose of Ashrama system ===
We have various types of desires. We are a bundle of desires, and these desires have to be sublimated. The ashrama system attempts to sublimate the desires, and not suppress them. Perhaps the ancient sages of India knew very well that the so-called id, or the ego, or the superego of psychology, is there in every individual. Though they did not call the forces of the individual by these modern names, they knew of their presence. They knew what havoc these forces can work if they are not tamed, and also what good they can do if they are properly utilised. The energies of the system have to be harnessed for the supreme purpose of divine enlightenment. This is the great purpose of the educational system through the ashrama dharma.<ref name=":0" />
We have various types of desires. We are a bundle of desires, and these desires have to be sublimated. The ashrama system attempts to sublimate the desires, and not suppress them. Perhaps the ancient sages of India knew very well that the so-called id, or the ego, or the superego of psychology, is there in every individual. Though they did not call the forces of the individual by these modern names, they knew of their presence. They knew what havoc these forces can work if they are not tamed, and also what good they can do if they are properly utilised. The energies of the system have to be harnessed for the supreme purpose of divine enlightenment. This is the great purpose of the educational system through the ashrama dharma.<ref name=":0" />
=== Universality of the Ashrama System ===
Explaining the object and purpose of Ashrama Dharma, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swami, the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, said;
Ashrama Dharma deals with the conduct of an individual during different stages of his life.
* In the first stage, as a brahmacarin, he devotes himself to studies in a gurukula.
* In the second stage, as a youth, he takes a wife, settles down in life and begets children.
* In the third, as he ages further, he becomes a forest recluse and, without much attachment to worldly life, engages himself in Vedic Karma.
* In the fourth stage, he forsakes even Vedic works, renounces the world utterly to become a sannyasin and turns his mind towards the Paramatman.
These four stages of life or ashramas are called Brahmacharya, Garhasthya, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa, thereby establishing its universal applicability, irrespective of the varna or class or caste of an individual. During each one of these stages, greater importance was required to be given to one particular obligation while discharging other obligations as well.<ref>Justice M.Rama Jois, [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxib2RoaWhhbmdvdXR8Z3g6NzQzOGU4MWMxZTdlMDljMQ Dharma - The Global Ethic] (Chapter 1.5.5)</ref>
== References ==
== References ==