[caption id="attachment_5400" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-5400" src="http://theyogasanctuary.biz/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/stages-of-life-300x128.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="128" /> stages of life<br />4 ashrams[/caption]

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">According to Vedic tradition, a human being spends a lifetime in four stages or ashrams.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The word ashram in Sanskrit literally means "place of spiritual shelter."</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The framework of the four stages allows for comfort and clarity as spirituality is developed throughout life.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Let us examine the unfolding of each ashram. </span>

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The first quarter of life is spent in the Brahmachari ashram or student stage.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">It is characterized by education and study as the aspirant develops skills and essential self-discipline.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">It is the period to gather energy, while living a simple life free from sense pleasure and material allurement, in preparation for what lies ahead.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span>

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Success in the Brahmachari ashram allows for a smooth entry into the second quarter, the Grihasta ashram or householder stage.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Duties surrounding marriage, children and gainful work create the opportunity to shoulder responsibility and impact family and society.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Those in the householder stage will work to protect and nourish the family, enjoy worldly life, teach spiritual values and perform acts of charity.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Grihasta is considered the most important ashram as the industry of the householder goes to support the other three ashrams. </span>

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">As his or her children become self-reliant and householder responsibilities diminish, the aspirant enters the Vanaprashta ashram or forest dweller stage in the third quarter of life.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">This is a time to let go, retire from worldly activity and devote more time to spiritual practices.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A simple living arrangement is sought, service work is undertaken and the role of counselor is adopted.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span>

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The final stage of renunciation, or the Sannaysa ashram, is available to only a few.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">In pursuit of selfrealization the aspirant fully detaches from the world and becomes dependent on God alone.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">   </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The Vedic world view explains that mankind is unified with nature, that science and philosophy merge.</span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">  </span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">These ashrams can be seen in nature as well, each one having a necessary and proper function in support of the life cycle and the spiritual path.</span>

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