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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

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.<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>

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.<ref name=":0">Justice M.Rama Jois, [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxib2RoaWhhbmdvdXR8Z3g6NzQzOGU4MWMxZTdlMDljMQ Dharma - The Global Ethic] (Chapter 1.5.5)</ref>  

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).

Every individual should discharge four pious obligations.They are Devaruna (towards God), Pitruruna (towards parents), Rishiruna (towards teachers) and Manavaruna (towards humanity).<ref>Justice M.Rama Jois, [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxib2RoaWhhbmdvdXR8Z3g6NzQzOGU4MWMxZTdlMDljMQ Dharma - The Global Ethic] (Chapter 1.5)</ref>These four pious obligations 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).<ref name=":0" />

=== Ashram Dharma for all people ===

=== Ashram Dharma for all people ===

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:<blockquote>"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. "</blockquote>These four stages of life or asramas are called '''Brahmacarya, Garhasthya, Vanaprastha''' and '''Sannyasa.'''

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:<blockquote>"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. "</blockquote>These four stages of life or asramas are called '''Brahmacarya, Garhasthya, Vanaprastha''' and '''Sannyasa.'''