Lect#6: Purushartha: Four Stages of Life
Purusartha literally means "purpose of human being" or "object of human pursuit". Every human being has four proper goals that are necessary and sufficient for a fulfilling and happy life.
1) Dharma: is that ideal code of conduct which all existing beings must accept and respect to sustain harmony and order in the world. 2) Artha: signifies material prosperity, the “means of life” that brings economic prosperity and financial security. It incorporates having a career of choice and earning fame and power. 3) Kama – signifies pleasure of senses like desire, wish, passion, love, emotions, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, 4) Moksha signifies liberation of life. Indian scholars offered a creative resolution to the tension between "action"-filled life and "renunciation"-driven life, by suggesting the best of both worlds can be achieved by dedicating oneself to "action with renunciation", that is when "action is without attachment or craving for results". This idea of "craving-free, dharma-driven action" has been called Nishkam Karma in Bhagavad Gita.
The relative precedence of artha, kama and dharma are naturally different with age and innate nature. As per Sanatan Dharma, the Artha and Kama has to be practiced using dharma (virtues) to lead to Moksha, liberation. Liberation from what???
Ashrama: Four Stages of Life
Ashrama means “stage of life” or “haven or house of ..”. There are four stages of life viz. Brahmachari (student), Grihasta (Householder) Vanaprasta (forest dweller or Hermit in semi retirement) Sannyasi (the renounced one in full retirement) and the Dharma of each is different. The four stages may be said to represent periods of Preparation, Production, Service and Retirement.
"People do not have to be taught to want to be happy, to want to be secure or to want the respect and admiration of their friends and associates - though often they need instruction 'how' to secure these things.
1) BRAHMACARYA means Student/Apprenticeship, usually between 8 and 24 years of age. The first stage is Brahmacharya. The duty of a student is to study.
The duties are:, celibacy is his forte, discipline is his norm, devotion to his Guru is his duty and concentration in studies is his vocation. In "Gurukula Vasam"( or staying with the preceptor) he learns Vedas, Upanishads and Sastras though by means of rote so that when he comes of age the significance of what he learnt
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would be realized by him in real life situations, which he would be facing in his next Ashrama.
2) GRIHASTA means House-holder usually between 24 and 50 years of age. After the 'Gurukula Vasa' he graduates himself into the mundane world, taking a wife to assist him in his performance of Dharmic duties.
All Sastras proclaim the importance of the Grihastasrama as the fulcrum of all other Ashramas. People in the other three Ashramas heavily lean on the Grihasta for support and sustenance required to carry out their respective duties. The Grihasta earns his livelihood by whatever a vocation befitting his being a member of his group, raising children, supporting his own family, kith and kin. The life of a Grihasta is therefore, considered a 'Jivayagna'- a lifelong saga of self sacrifice for the benefit of others in society. It is a necessary link between the dead past and an unborn future for development of lineage.
Perfect relationship is created by conscious effort and not discovered all of a sudden. The incompatibilities have to be resolved by a continual mutual adjustment and reconciliation by a willing attitude of 'give and take'.
3) VANAPRASTA means Retirement/Elder Advisor is the third stage usually between 48 and 72 years of age. The person retires usually from worldly attachments to lead a life of contemplation and meditation alone or with his wife. 4) SANNYASI is an Ascetic - Solitaire the fourth stage of life- usually beyond 72 years of age. This is the last 'Ashrama'. He has no desire for name or fame or recognition.
When Svadharma is not practiced, there ensues an imbalance in the environment. A Sadhu was rescuing a biting scorpion that had fallen into a pond. This story emphasizes how one should go on doing one's duty even if obstacles, impediments and difficulties intervene in discharging it for harmony.
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