Ashrama System Final.pptx

Prachin Bharat had 4 Ashramas as system of life which is explained here

1. Prachin Bharatiya Ashrama Vyavastha Dr. Bhagyashree Bavare

2. Meanings A-shrama from the root √sram Samnyasa = Sam + nI+ Asa; putting or throwing down, laying aside, resignation, abandonment Vana-prastha = retiring into forest, living a life of anchorite – retiring from society for religious reasons

3. Vedic references RV X.109.5 ब्रह्मचारी चरति वेविषद् विषः स देवानां भवत्येकमङ्गम् । तेन जायमान्वविंदद् बृहस्पतिः सोमेन नीतां जुह्वं न देवाः॥ RV II.1.2 तवाग्ने होत्रं......... ब्रह्मा चासि गृहपतिश्च नो दमे॥ RV X.85.36 – husband says that the bride is given to him by gods for gārhapatya

4. चत्वार आश्रमा गार्हस्थ्यमाचार्यकुल ं मौनं वानप्रस्थ्यमिति । - आप. धर्मसूत्र 2.9.21.1 ऐकाश्रम्य ं त्वाचार्या अप्रजननत्वादितरेषाम्। तत्रोदाहरंति। प्राह्लादिर्वै कपिलो नामासुर आस स एतांभेदांश्चकार देवैः स्पर्धमानस्तान्मनीषी नाद्रियेत। - बौधा. धर्मसूत्र 2.6.29-31 RV X. 95.4 – antigriha (neighbour) denoting a phase of life where elderly family members stay like neighbours

5. General categorization of four ashrams - Brahmacharya – till the age of 24 Garhasthya – 24 to 48 Vanaprastha – 48 to 72 Samnyasa – 72 + Initially the person was free to choose any mode of life from these at his will It was not even sequential, Manu also states that as one cannot generalise 100 years for each person, each stage cannot be divided into 25 years span If a brahmacharin chooses to skip grihasthashram and vanaprastha he can directly enter into the samnyasa Earlier it was not even strictly related to the varnas Later only initial three varnas were allowed to enter these ashramas, especially vanaprastha and samnyasa

6. Anchorite - 26An anchorite shall live in the forest, living on roots and fruits and given to austerities. 27He kindles the sacred fire according to the procedure for recluses* 28 and refrains from eating what is grown in a village. 29He shall pay homage to gods, ancestors, humans, spirits, and seers 30 and entertain guests from all classes, except those who are proscribed. 31He may also avail himself of the flesh of animals killed by predators. 32He should not step on ploughed land 33or enter a village. 34He shall wear matted hair and clothes of bark or skin 35 and never eat anything that has been stored for more than a year. --- Gautam Dharmasutra 3.26-35

7. Mendicant - 11A mendicant shall live without any possessions, 12be chaste, 13 and remain in one place during the rainy season.* 14Let him enter a village only to obtain almsfood 15 and go on his begging round late in the evening, without visiting the same house twice 16 and without pronouncing blessings. 17He shall control his speech, sight, and actions; 18 and wear a garment to cover his private parts, 19using, according to some, a discarded piece of cloth after washing it. 20He should not pick any part of a plant or a tree unless it has fallen of itself. 21Outside the rainy season, he should not spend two nights in the same village. 22He shall be shaven-headed or wear a topknot; 23 refrain from injuring seeds; 24 treat all creatures alike, whether they cause him Dharmasu¯tras 84 3.24 harm or treat him with kindness; 25 and not undertake ritual activities. ----Gautam Dharmasutra 3. 11-25

8. In vedic literature there is no distinct classification or words denoting Vanaprastha and Samnyasa Tandya Mahabrahmana 14.4.7 mentions Vaikhanas sages ‘Vaikhanas sgaes friends of Indra were killed by Rahasya Devamalimluc at the place callled Munimarana’ Later in Sutra literature Vaikhanasa always denotes Vanaprastha

9. Two distinct words in Vedic literature – Yati and Muni RV VIII.3.9; RV VIII.6.18 – Yati in association with Bhrigus Tai. Sam. VI.2.7.5 – Indra gave Yatis to Salavrikas and they devoured them to south of uttaravedi Also in Kat. Sam. VIII.5; Ai. Br. 35.2; Kaus. Up. III.1 AV II.5.3 – Indra is quick in his attacks, he killed Vritra and Yatis Tandya Mahabrahmana VIII.1.4 – Brihadgiri Yati escaped the from the slaughter and was later taken into protection by Indra Kath. Sam. IV.10; Tai. Sam. II.4.9.2 – when the salavrikas were devouring the Yatis, their heads fell aside and they became kharjura trees Yati~ Yatu ??

10. RV X.136.2 – मुनयो वातरशनाः पिशङ्गा वसते मला। Munis maintaining on wind and wearing brownish garments RV VIII.17.14 – Indra is friend of Munis X.136.4 – Muni is friend of all gods Ai. Br. 33.11 – किं नु मलं किमजिनं किमु श्मश्रूणि कि ं तपः । पुत्र ं ब्रह्माण इच्छध्वं स वै लोको वदावदः ॥

11. Cha. Up. II.23.1. Householder – sacrifice, study and charity Vanaprastha – performing tapas Brhamacari- staying in teacher’s house Brahmasamstha – correctly understanding Brahman Jabalopanishad 4 – ब्रह्मचर्यं परिसमाप्य गृही भवेत्, गृही भूत्वा वनी भवेत्, वनी भूत्वा प्रव्रजेत्। यदि वेतरथा ब्रह्मचर्यादेव प्रव्रजेद् गृहाद्वा वनाद्वा। यदहरेव विरजेत्तदहरेव प्रव्रजेत्।

12. Bibliography Patrick Olivelle (1993), The Ashrama System: The History and Hermeneutics of a Religious Institution, Oxford University Press RK Sharma (1999), Indian Society, Institutions and Change,