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  1.5.5 ASHRAMA DHARMA -FOR HUMAN EXCELLENCE  

  1.5.5 ASHRAMA DHARMA -FOR HUMAN EXCELLENCE  

The individual is the real foundation of a sound society. The general moral standard and quality of a human society or nation are directly proportional to the number of individuals who are well educated and bear good character. The aim of "Dharma" was to mould the character and personality of individuals to produce more number of such individuals.

The individual is the real foundation of a sound society. The general moral standard and quality of a human society or nation are directly proportional to the number of individuals who are well educated and bear good character. The aim of "Dharma" was to mould the character and personality of individuals to produce more number of such individuals.

The four pious obligations indicated above were required to be discharged by an individual throughout his life time. However, all the obligations could not be fully discharged or be given the same importance at all points of time in the life of an individual. Therefore, the life span of an individual was divided into four parts or stages {Ashramas). Explaining the object and purpose of Ashrama Dharma and its applicability to all, irrespective of the varna or class or caste of an individual Pujya Sri. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamiji, the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, said thus:

The four pious obligations indicated above were required to be discharged by an individual throughout his life time. However, all the obligations could not be fully discharged or be given the same importance at all points of time in the life of an individual. Therefore, the life span of an individual was divided into four parts or stages {Ashramas).  

 

Explaining the object and purpose of Ashrama Dharma and its applicability to all, irrespective of the varna or class or caste of an individual Pujya Sri. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamiji, the Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, said thus:

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 asramas are called Brahmacarya, Garhasthya, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.

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 asramas are called Brahmacarya, Garhasthya, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.

During each one of these, greater importance was required to be given to one particular obligations while discharging other obligations as well. Briefly stated the period of life of an individual and the purpose pertaining to each of the Ashrama were:

During each one of these, greater importance was required to be given to one particular obligations while discharging other obligations as well.  

I. Brahmacharyashrama: Importance to acquisition of knowledge and securing

 

Briefly stated the period of life of an individual and the purpose pertaining to each of the Ashrama were:

 

I. '''Brahmacharyashrama:''' Importance to acquisition of knowledge and securing

physical and moral fitness ie., strengthening of body, mind and intellect.

physical and moral fitness ie., strengthening of body, mind and intellect.

2. Grihasthasrama : Importance to honest and purposeful married life and family life, earning legitimate income and through it to serve the family and the society.

 

3. Vanaprasthashrama: Importance to withdrawing from earning activities and

2. '''Grihasthasrama''' : Importance to honest and purposeful married life and family life, earning legitimate income and through it to serve the family and the society.

 

3. '''Vanaprasthashrama''': Importance to withdrawing from earning activities and

devoting oneself more to the service of society.

devoting oneself more to the service of society.

4. Sanyasashrama : Importance to worship of God by renunciation of worldly

4. Sanyasashrama : Importance to worship of God by renunciation of worldly