Ashram System in Ancient Indiasanskrit.du.ac.in/web/uploads/pdf/MA Documents/E...Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Ashram System The classical system, in the Ashrama

Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India

Dr. Subhash ChandraAssistant Professor

Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://sanskrit.du.ac.in/faculty/subhash.html

Ashram System

in Ancient India

mailto:[email protected]

http://sanskrit.du.ac.in/faculty/subhash.html


Ashram System

Objective of Ashram System

Ashram and Purushartha

Major Ashram and Duties (Dharma)

In this lecture……


Ashram System

Ashram (आश्रम) is second most important institution of Hindu

social institution.

The term derived from the verb root "श्रम"् which mean to do hard

work or effort.

Thus the Ashramas are the stages where hard works or efforts to

be done.

Ashrama is related to training and education.


Ashram System

Ancient Indian social thinkers had divided human life into four

major stages called Ashram: Brahmacharya, Grihastha,

Vanaprastha and Sanyasa.

A branch of psychology called Developmental psychology also

deals the human development in two major stages.

An Ashrama in Hinduism is one of four age-based life stages

discussed in Indian texts of the ancient and medieval eras.

The four ashramas are: Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha

(householder), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciate).


Ashram System

Under the Ashram system, the human lifespan was divided into

four periods.

The goal of each period was the fulfilment and development of the

individual.

An Ashrama in Hinduism is one of four age-based life stages

discussed in Indian texts of the ancient and medieval eras.

The four ashramas are: Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha

(householder), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciate).


Ashram System

The classical system, in the Ashrama Upanishad, the Vaikhanasa

Dharmasutra and the later Dharmashastra, presents these as

sequential stages of human life and recommends ages for entry to

each stage, while in the original system presented in the early

Dharmasutras the Ashramas were four alternative available ways

of life, neither presented as sequential nor with age

recommendations.



The Ashramas system is one facet of the complex Dharma concept

in Hinduism.

It is integrated with the concept of Purushartha, or four proper

aims of life in Hindu philosophy, namely, Dharma (piety, morality,

duties), Artha (wealth, health, means of life), Kama (love,

relationships, emotions) and Moksha (liberation, freedom, self-

realization)

Each of the four Ashramas of life are a form of personal and social

environment, each stage with ethical guidelines, duties and

responsibilities, for the individual and for the society.



Each Ashrama stage places different levels of emphasis on the four

proper goals of life, with different stages viewed as steps to the

attainment of the ideal in Hindu philosophy, namely Moksha


The Ashram system

Ashram or

stage

Age Description

Brahmacharya

(student life)

Till 25 Brahmacharya represented the bachelor student stage of life.

This stage focused on education and included the practice of

celibacy.

The student went to a Gurukul (house of the guru) and typically

would live with a Guru (teacher).

To acquiring knowledge of science, philosophy, scriptures and

logic, practicing self-discipline, working to earn dakshina to be

paid for the guru, learning to live a life of Dharma

(righteousness, morals, duties).

Grihastha

(household life)

26–50 This stage referred to the individual's married life, with the duties

of maintaining a household, raising a family, educating one's

children, and leading a family-centred and a dharmic social life.

Grihastha stage was considered as the most important of all

stages in sociological context.

As human beings in this stage not only pursued a virtuous life,

they produced food and wealth that sustained people in other

stages of life, as well as the offsprings that continued mankind.

The stage also represented one where the most intense physical,


The Ashram system

Ashram or

stage

Age Description

Vanaprastha

(retired life)

51–75 The retirement stage, where a person handed over household

responsibilities to the next generation, took an advisory role, and

gradually withdrew from the world.

Vanaprastha stage was a transition phase from a householder's

life with its greater emphasis on Artha and Kama (wealth,

security, pleasure and sexual pursuits) to one with greater

emphasis on Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Sannyasa

(renounced life)

76- till

death

The stage was marked by renunciation of material desires and

prejudices, represented by a state of disinterest and detachment

from material life, generally without any meaningful property or

home (Ascetic).

It focused on Moksha, peace and simple spiritual life.

Anyone could enter this stage after completing the Brahmacharya

stage of life.


Major Ashram and Duties

Brahmacharya

Grihastha

Vanaprastha

Sannyasa


The Brahmacharya Ashram

Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य) is a concept within Indian religions that

literally means "conduct consistent with Brahma". In simple terms

on the path of Brahma.

Brahmacharya is when a person controls his citta, abstaining

through word, thought, and deed from physical or sensual

pleasures to achieve Brahmagyan.

Brahmacharya is the first of four Ashrama (age-based stages) of a

human life

The brahmacharya (bachelor student) stage of life – from

childhood up to twenty-five years of age


The Brahmacharya Ashram It was focused on education and included the practice and

preparation of future life.

The word brahmacharya stems from two Sanskrit roots:

Brahman is what god is called in the Vedas, the main Hindu scriptures.

charya (चर्य), which means "occupation with, engaging, proceeding,

behavior, conduct, to follow, going after". This is often translated as

activity, conduct, or mode of behavior.

Brahmacharya is a means, not an end. It usually includes

cleanliness, ahimsa, simple living, studies, meditation, and

voluntary restraints on certain foods (eating only Sattvic food),

intoxicants, and sexual behavior which is no sex at all cost not even

with mind.



Brahamacharya asrama occupied the first 20–25 years of life

roughly corresponding to adolescence.

Upon the child's Upanayana the young person would begin a life of

study in the Gurukula (the household of the Guru) dedicated to

learning all aspects of dharma that is the "principles of righteous

living".

Dharma comprised personal responsibilities towards himself,

family, society, humanity and God which included the

environment, earth and nature.

This educational period started when the child was five to eight

years old and lasted until the age of 14 to 25 years



Naradaparivrajaka Upanishad suggests that Brahmacharya

(student) stage of life should extend from the age a child is ready to

receive teachings from a guru, and continue for a period of twelve

years.

The Brahmacharya begin with Upanayana and ends with

Samavartanam ceremony.

The graduate was then ready to either start Grihastha

(householder) stage of life, or wait, or pursue a life of Sannyasa

and solitude like Rishis in forest.



Vyasa in Chapter 234 of Shanti Parva in the Mahabharata praises

Brahmacharya as an important stage of life necessary for learning,

then adds Grihastha stage as the root of society and important to

an individual's success.

The Vedas and Upanishads do not restrict the student stage of life

to males. Atharva Veda, for example, states

ब्रह्मचर्ेण कन्र्ा र्ुवानं ववन्दते पवतम् | ( Atharva Veda, 11.5.18)

A youthful Kanya (कन्र्ा, girl) who graduates from Brahmacharya,

obtains a suitable husband.



Generally there was no restriction of the age for the

Brahmacharya.

Few texts states that there were no age restrictions for the start of

Brahmacharya in ancient India.

Not only young men, but older people resorted to student stage of

life, and sought teachers who were authoritative in certain

subjects.

The Chandogya Upanishad, in Section 5.11, describes "wealthy and

learned householders" becoming Brahmacharis (students) with

Rishi Kaikeya, to gain knowledge about Atman (Soul, inner Self)

and Brahman (Ultimate Reality).


Historical references to Brahmacharya

The Vedas discuss Brahmacharya, both in the context of lifestyle

and stage of one's life.

Rigveda, however, refers to these people as Muni and Vati

The Atharva Veda, completed by about 1000 BC, has more explicit

discussion of Brahmacharya, in Book XI Chapter 5.

This Chapter of Atharva Veda describes Brahmacharya as that

which leads to one's second birth (mind, Self-awareness), with

Hymn 11.5.3 painting a symbolic picture that when a teacher

accepts a Brahmachari, the student becomes his embryo.


Historical references to Brahmacharya

The concept and practice of Brahmacarya is extensively found

among the older strata of the Mukhya Upanishads in Hinduism

The 8th century BC text Chandogya Upanishad describes in Book

8, activities and lifestyle that is Brahmacharya.

The Vedas and early Upanishadic texts of Hinduism in their

discussion of Brahmacharya, make no mention of the age of the

student at the start of Brahmacharya nor any restraint on sexual

activity.


The Grihastha Ashram

Grihastha literally means "being in and occupied with home,

family" or "householder".

It refers to the second phase of an individual's life in a four age-

based stages of the Hindu ashram system.

It follows Brahmacharya (bachelor student) life stage, and

embodies a married life, with the duties of maintaining a home,

raising a family, educating one's children, and leading a family-

centred and a dharmic social life.



This stage of Ashrama is conceptually followed by Vanaprastha

(forest dweller, retired) and Sannyasa (renunciation).

This stage of life was essential to completing the full development

of a human being and fulfilling all the needs of the individual and

society.

Ancient and medieval era texts of Hinduism consider Grihastha

stage as the most important of all stages in sociological context, as

human beings in this stage not only pursue a virtuous life, they

produce food and wealth that sustains people in other stages of life,

as well as the offsprings that continues mankind.



The householder stage is also considered in Indian philosophy as

one where the most intense physical, sexual, emotional,

occupational, social and material attachments exist in a human

being's life.

In Indian traditions, Grihastha stage of life is a recommendation,

but not a requirement.

Any Brahmacharya may, if he or she wants, skip householder and

retirement stage, go straight to Sannyasa stage of life, thereby

renouncing worldly and materialistic pursuits and dedicating their

lives to spiritual pursuits.



The Sanskrit word Grihastha (गृहस्थ) is a composite "Grih-astha"

of two root words Grih (गृह) and Astha (अस्थ).

Grih means "home, family, house“.

While Asth means "devoted to, occupied with, being in".

Grihastha means that which "being in and occupied with home,

family" or simply "householder"



It identified four stages of a human life, with distinct differences

based on natural human needs and desires, as well as how these

stages integrated with fulfilling, joyful four goals of life called

Purushartha - Dharma (piety, morality, duties), Artha (wealth,

health, means of life), Kama (love, relationships, emotions) and

Moksha (liberation, freedom, self-realization).

Grihastha is considered to be the most intense of all four stages,

where a man or woman pursues all four goals of life, with greater

emphasis on first three - Dharma, Artha and Kama.



he stage "Grihastha" is preceded by Brahmacharya (student)

stage of life, and followed by Vanaprastha (retirement, forest

dweller, still an advisor to the next generation) stage.

In ancient texts, Grihastha stage of life is said to extend from the

age of about 25 to about 50.

A man or woman entered the Grihastha stage after a Hindu

wedding.

They would build a home, raise a family, earn wealth, enjoy

worldly life and participate in the society through virtues such as

charity.



The Chandogya Upanishad and Vedānta Sūtras discuss all four

stages of life - student, householder, retired/hermit and ascetic.

Some chapters of the Upanishads, for example hymn 4.4.22 of

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, specify only three stages of human

life – Brahmacharya, Grihastha and Vanaprastha.

They make no mention of gender, class or caste restrictions on

these stages of life.

All three stages are recommended as path to Brahman (inner Self,

Soul). In contrast, later texts specify four stages of human life.



Grihastha ashram, declares Gautama Dharmasutra in verses 3.2

and 3.3, is the foundation of all the ashrams, and essential to the

existence and continuation of society because the other three

ashrams do not produce offspring.

Manusmriti, similarly states in Sections VI.87 through VI.90, that

it is the householders who feed all those in other three stages of

life, and those who seek spiritual pursuits live on, attain fulfillment

because of those who accept and prosper in Grihastha ashram.



Manusmriti uses the concept of ashram broadly, and in verses

III.77 to III.80, declares Grihastha stage as noble, excellent and

that just like all beings need air to survive, so do all beings take life

from the Grihastha Ashram because of the food they produce and

knowledge they apply.

In Sections IV.1 through IV.6, Manusmriti states a Brahmana,

after being twice-born and completing his studies with his teacher,

should marry and live in his house.



Manusmriti lists five appropriate sources of income or means for

survival for the educated Brahmana - Ṛta (ऋत, lawful gleaning

and gathering, proper natural work), Amrta (अमतृ, accepting gifts

and charity), Mrta (मतृ, begging), Pramrta (प्रमतृ, agriculture,

tillage) and Satyanrta (सत्र्ानतृ, trade, commerce, money lending).

The Puranas also support the system of Ashramas.

Mahabharata consider the supreme stage of life is Grihasth.


The Vanaprastha Ashram

Vanaprastha literally means "giving up worldly life".

It is also a concept in Hindu traditions, representing the third of

four ashrama (stages) of human life.

Vanaprastha is part of the Vedic ashram system.

It starts when a person hands over household responsibilities to

the next generation, takes an advisory role, and gradually

withdraws from the world.

This stage typically follows Grihastha (householder), but a man or

woman may choose to skip householder stage, and enter

Vanaprastha directly after Brahmacharya (student) stage, as a

prelude to San yasa (ascetic) and spiritual pursuits.



Vanaprastha stage is considered as a transition phase from a

householder's life with greater emphasis on Artha and Kama

(wealth, security, pleasure and sexual pursuits) to one with greater

emphasis on Moksha (spiritual liberation).

The term Vanaprastha is a composite word with the roots vana

meaning "forest, distant land", and prastha (प्रस्थ) meaning "going

to, abiding in, journey to".

The composite word literally means "retiring to forest".



Vanaprastha represented the third stage and typically marked

with birth of grandchildren, gradual transition of householder

responsibilities to the next generation, increasingly hermit-like

lifestyle, and greater emphasis on community services and

spiritual pursuit.

The Vanaprastha stage ultimately transitioned into Sannyasa, a

stage of complete renunciation and dedication to spiritual

questions.



Vanaprastha represented the third stage and typically marked

with birth of grandchildren, gradual transition of householder

responsibilities to the next generation, increasingly hermit-like

lifestyle, and greater emphasis on community services and

spiritual pursuit.

The Vanaprastha stage ultimately transitioned into Sannyasa, a

stage of complete renunciation and dedication to spiritual

questions.

According to Vedic ashram system Vanaprastha lasted between the

ages of 51 and 75.



Hindu traditions respected freedom and personal choice.

While Grihastha and Vanaprastha stages of life were

recommended, they were not a requirement.

Any Brahmacharya may, if he or she wants, skip householder and

retirement stage, go straight to Sannyasa stage of life, thereby

renouncing worldly and materialistic pursuits and dedicating their

lives to spiritual pursuits



Early Vedic texts make no mention of life in retirement, or

Vanaprastha, or Ashrama system.

The earliest mention of a related concept in Rig Veda is of

Antigriha (अवन्तगहृ, like a neighbor) in hymn 10.95.4, where the

context and content suggests the elders did not go into forest, but

continued to live as part of extended family, with outwardly role,

in ancient India.

In later Vedic era and over time, Vanaprastha and other new

concepts emerged, while older ideas evolved and expanded.



The concept of Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa, emerged about or

after 7th Century BC, when sages such as Yājñavalkya left their

homes and roamed around as spiritual recluses and pursued their

Pravrajika (homeless) lifestyle.

The Dharmasūtras and Dharmaśāstras, composed about mid 1st

millennium BC and later, place increasing emphasis on all four

stages of Ashrama system, including Vanaprastha.

The Baudhayana Dharmasūtra, in verses 2.11.9 to 2.11.12,

describes the four Ashramas including Vanaprastha as "a fourfold

division of Dharma"



Markandeya Purana suggests that a householder, after he has

taken care of his progeny, his parents, his traditions and cleansed

his mind is ready to enter the third stage of life, or Vanaprastha.

He must lead a frugal life during this stage, sleeping on floor,

eating only fruits and bulbs.

The more he gives up the worldly delights, the closer he gets to the

knowledge of his spirit, and more ready he is for the last stage - the

Sanyas Ashram, where he renounces everything and focuses

entirely on spiritual pursuits.



Vanaprastha appears in many major literary works from ancient

India.


The Sannyasa Ashram

Sannyasa is the life stage of renunciation within the Hindu

philosophy of four age-based life stages known as ashramas.

Sannyasa is traditionally conceptualized for men or women in late

years of their life, but young brahmacharis have had the choice to

skip the householder and retirement stages, renounce worldly and

materialistic pursuits and dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits.

An individual in Sanyasa is known as a Sannyasi (male) or

Sannyasini (female) in Hinduism


The Sannyasa Ashram

These are in many ways parallel to the Sadhu and Sadhvi

traditions of Jain monasticism.

The bhikkhus and bhikkhunis of Buddhism.

Sannyasa has historically been a stage of renunciation, ahimsa

(non-violence) peaceful and simple life and spiritual pursuit in

Indian traditions.

Saṃnyāsa in Sanskrit nyasa means purification, sannyasa means

"Purification of Everything“

The term Saṃnyasa makes appearance in the Samhitas,

Aranyakas and Brahmanas, the earliest layers of Vedic literature.


The Sannyasa Ashram

The term Sannyasa evolves into a rite of renunciation in ancient

Sutra texts, and thereafter became a recognized, well discussed

stage of life (Ashrama) by about the 3rd and 4th century CE.

Hinduism has no formal demands nor requirements on the lifestyle

or spiritual discipline, method or deity a Sanyasin or Sanyasini

must pursue – it is left to the choice and preferences of the

individual.

The goal of the Hindu Sannyasin is moksha (liberation).


The Sannyasa Ashram

According to Geetaa a permanent Sannyasin who does not hate,

does not desire, is without dualities (opposites). Truly, Mahabaho

(Arjuna), he is liberated from bondage.

Other behavioral characteristics, in addition to renunciation,

during Sannyasa include: ahimsa (non-violence), akrodha (not

become angry even if you are abused by others), disarmament (no

weapons), chastity, bachelorhood (no marriage), avyati (non-

desirous), amati (poverty), self-restraint, truthfulness,

sarvabhutahita (kindness to all creatures), asteya (non-stealing),

aparigraha (non-acceptance of gifts, non-possessiveness) and

shaucha (purity of body speech and mind).


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