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=== '''सन्न्यासाश्रमः ॥ Sannyasashrama'''  ===

=== '''सन्न्यासाश्रमः ॥ Sannyasashrama'''  ===

The last one was Sanyasashrama, life of a recluse. During this period, the evening of his life an individual was expected to renounce the world completely and turn his mind towards God or Paramatma. During this period the individual was required to engage himself mainly in the worship of God in whatever manner he pleased and discharge the pious obligation of 'Devaruna'.<ref name=":0" />

The last one was Sanyasashrama, life of a recluse. During this period, the evening of his life an individual was expected to renounce the world completely and turn his mind towards God or Paramatma. During this period the individual was required to engage himself mainly in the worship of God in whatever manner he pleased and discharge the pious obligation of 'Devaruna'.<ref name=":0" />

== Relevance in Modern Life ==

== Ashrama Dharma - For Human Excellence ==

The four Ashramas were by and large intended to secure human excellence by requiring an individual to discharge the four pious obligations in an effective manner, and by leading a purposeful life. This arrangement was intended not only to ensure that an individual would not go astray but also that he would follow the path of righteousness through out his life.

The four Ashramas were by and large intended to secure human excellence by requiring an individual to discharge the four pious obligations in an effective manner, and by leading a purposeful life. This arrangement was intended not only to ensure that an individual would not go astray but also that he would follow the path of righteousness throughout his life. These ideals were placed before individuals because even if followed by a few it would be of great benefit to society and would result in the development of the personality of individuals. Even in the present state of the world, the guidance available in the form of the four pious obligations and the four Ashramas helps the development of the personality of individuals and through it, the development of human resources, on which alone the welfare and prosperity of a nation depends.<ref name=":0" />  

It is true that strict observance of these Ashramas was impracticable for many. But that was the ideal, even if followed by a few it would be of great benefit to society. Further, even observance of these guide lines to some extent by others would result in the development of the personality of individuals.

Therefore these ideals were placed before individuals. It is also true that in the present state of the world, the observance of four Ashramas as indicated above is impracticable for many, But a closer examination of the aims and objects of the four Ashramas would indicate, that even in the present state of the world, the guidance available in the form of the four pious obligations and the four Ashramas helps the development of the personality of individuals and through it, the development of human resources, on which alone the welfare and prosperity of a nation depends. Its significance is briefly discussed below:

# Family life is important. During this period, an individual undoubtedly has to carry on an avocation, profession, trade, business etc., to earn money necessary to lead a happy family life. But at the same time, it is the duty of every individual to continue his profession or vocation conforming to ethics so that he will be useful not only to himself but also to society. Further, leading a moral life during this period, and observing sexual morality is also essential to ensure proper guidance, education and inspiration to the children. The disastrous consequences of the weakenning of the family bond resulting in rendering millions of children orphans even when the parents are alive is now well documented. Unless husband and wife lead a harmonious family life with mutual affection, and do not get separated, they will not be able to give proper education, environment and guidance to their children. Therefore, 'Grihasthasrama' was the period during which an individual had to discharge the pious obligations of 'Pitruruna , and 'Manavaruna' at the same time devoting some time to worshipping God, which helps to lead a proper and happy life. The Grihasthashrama is also the sustainer of other Ashramas: It is hailed as the most important, as it carries with it onerous responsibilities of maintaining and sustaining persons belonging to the other three ashramas. '''It is the foundation of family the structure based on 'Dharma'. Hence the saying "Dhanyo Grihastramam"'''. It is during this ashrama the husband and wife discharge both economic and social responsibilities jointly.

# It is during the Grihastashrama the husband and/or wife undertakes any profession or avocation or employment private or public and through it earn money and also serve society. They bear the economic responsibility of providing maintenance to those who belong to the other three ashramas

<blockquote>"Thus it constituted the best form of private sector social security. Further, the housewife looks after all their needs such as food, health, and the upkeep of the house providing a proper environment. ''Both together are responsible to educate their children not only from inception but also after school hours, to watch their conduct and behaviour all the time and give proper guidance and''

This wholesome arrangement is being upset by the purely selfish attitude of individuals under the influence of the set up of modern civilization. As a result in the modern welfare state the burden of providing maintenance to old parents having no income, by way of old age pension and to the unemployed brothers and sisters by way of unemployment allowance and financial assistance to the children who have become destitutes on account of their parents taking divorce abdicating their duty falls on the state. But it is already being realised in many western countries that the financial burden on the state by way of providing social security is becoming unbearable. Apart from this the throwaway attitude on account of which an individual abdicates his 'Dharma' arising out of the sense of gratitude, to look after his/her parents, in old age or his duty towards his unemployed brother or sister, is nothing but an indication of loss of human values in family management. Further, the same purely selfish, throwaway attitude is resulting in increasing divorces as also sexual life without marriage, resulting in making young children destitutes, which in turn is becoming a menace to human society on account of social problems created by those who go astray by becoming immoral or amoral. It is now being realised that for all these innumerable social and economic problems, the Hindu family structure based on 'Grihastashrama Dharma' alone is the solution. Therefore, it is essential that' Grihasthasrama Dharma' which means value based family structure which also strengthens the bond between husband and wife and also between individual members of the family and which provides education to children, moulds their character, and also provides social security to non-earning members of the family which reduces the economic burden on the state enormously and which forms the foundation and strength of a nation, should be resurrected with due modifications necessary in the present context."</blockquote><blockquote>"4. Similarly during the Vanaprasthashrama or life after retiring from earning activity, devoting time and energy to any activity useful for the society is essential. It is by this process that a sufficient number of people become available for service in various service organisations. This was regarded essential even for kings and they were required to renounce power and serve the society. There are innumerable examples of kings renouncing power. Nowadays this value of life is totally forgotten. As a result, the tendency among many individuals is to go on earning money till their death. Similarly the tendency among many who acquire political power is "once in the power always in power"- They want to enjoy it till the last breath of their life. This is good neither for the individual nor for the nation as a whole. At some point of time an individual should give up power and devote himself in the service of the society, whatever be the field of his choice. "</blockquote><blockquote>"Further, the desire should be to see that during his life time youngsters take over charge and manage the affairs of the state successfully. It is such people who retire from power politics and devote themselves to the service of the Nation, who will be in a better position to give proper advice to the youngsters who occupy the positions of power.

In this regard we have the inspiring example of Chanakya who renounced the Prime Ministership of the most powerful Maghada Empire after securing the service of Amatya Rakshasa for that high office and gave Nation his invaluable , Artha Sastra'.

# It cannot be denied that the observance of celibacy and devoting of substantial time and energy to the acquisition of knowledge and keeping away from bad habits during the period of studentship, is highly conducive to the acquisition of knowledge and excellence in education and the development of moral character as there is every possibility of an individual going astray resulting in both moral and material abandonment during this important formative period of life. If such things happen, then an individual instead of becoming an asset to human society, might become a liability. Therefore, Brahmacharyashrama was an excellent method evolved for human resources development, so that youth become a real asset of society.

It is true that the observance of 'Ashramas' as it was prescribed and practiced in ancient times in this land has become impracticable. But the observance of the four Ashramas, with the modifications demanded by the present state of the world, giving importance to the following ideals, is essential to the welfare of humanity:

# Family life is important. During this period, an individual undoubtedly has to carry on an avocation, profession, trade, business etc., to earn money necessary to lead a happy family life. But at the same time, it is the duty of every individual to continue his profession or avocation conforming to ethics so that he will be useful not only to himself but also to society. Further, leading a moral life during this period, and observing sexual morality is also essential to ensure proper guidance, education and inspiration to the children. Unless husband and wife lead a harmonious family life with mutual affection, and do not get separated, they will not be able to give proper education, environment and guidance to their children. Therefore, 'Grhasthashrama' was the period during which an individual had to discharge the pious obligations of 'Pitruruna , and 'Manavaruna' at the same time devoting some time to worshipping God, which helps to lead a proper and happy life. Further, the housewife looks after all their needs such as food, health, and the upkeep of the house providing a proper environment. But both together are responsible to educate their children not only from inception but also after school hours, to watch their conduct and behavior all the time and give proper guidance and ingrain good qualities and to prevent them from becoming victims of bad habits. Discharging such obligations alone can help the children to become good individuals and an asset to the family and the nation.  

 

# During the Vanaprasthashrama or life after retiring from earning activity, devoting time and energy to any activity useful for the society is essential. It is by this process that a sufficient number of people become available for service in various service organisations.This was regarded essential even for kings and they were required to renounce power and serve the society. There are innumerable examples of kings renouncing power. The desire should be to see that during his life time youngsters take over charge and manage the affairs of the state successfully. In this regard we have the inspiring example of Chanakya who renounced the Prime Ministership of the most powerful Maghada Empire after securing the service of Amatya Rakshasa for that high office and gave Nation his invaluable, Arthashastra.<ref name=":0" />

"</blockquote><blockquote>"(1) Education including physical fitness and moral education during the first

<blockquote>"(1) Education including physical fitness and moral education during the first

period-(Studentship )

period-(Studentship )

"</blockquote><blockquote>"( 4) In meditation and worship of God in the evening of life and giving advice and the benefit of one's experience to the younger generation (Devotion to divinity and humanity).

"</blockquote><blockquote>"( 4) In meditation and worship of God in the evening of life and giving advice and the benefit of one's experience to the younger generation (Devotion to divinity and humanity).

"</blockquote><blockquote>"With the necessary modifications suited to the present state of the World is essential for the welfare of humanity.

"</blockquote><blockquote>"With the necessary modifications suited to the present state of the World is essential for the welfare of humanity.

This, could therefore form the blue print for human resources development programmes for all nations."</blockquote>

This, could therefore form the blue print for human resources development programmes for all nations."</blockquote>Grihasthasrama Dharma' which means value based family structure which also strengthens the bond between husband and wife and also between individual members of the family and which provides education to children, moulds their character, and also provides social security to non-earning members of the family which reduces the economic burden on the state enormously and which forms the foundation and strength of a nation, should be resurrected with due modifications necessary in the present context."

== References ==

== References ==