The four Ashramas in the right order are:
- Brahmacharya (student life)
- Grihastha (householder life)
- Vanaprastha (forest dweller life)
- Sannyasa (renunciate life)
The Ashramas are a system of stages of life discussed in Hindu texts of the ancient and medieval eras. The four Ashramas are a form of personal and social environment, each stage with ethical guidelines, duties and responsibilities, for the individual and for the society.
Brahmacharya is the first Ashrama, and is a time for education and spiritual development. During this stage, the individual is expected to live a celibate life and to focus on their studies.
Grihastha is the second Ashrama, and is a time for marriage and family life. During this stage, the individual is expected to raise a family and to fulfill their social and religious duties.
Vanaprastha is the third Ashrama, and is a time for gradual retirement. During this stage, the individual is expected to withdraw from their worldly responsibilities and to focus on their spiritual development.
Sannyasa is the fourth Ashrama, and is a life of complete renunciation. During this stage, the individual is expected to abandon all worldly possessions and to devote themselves to spiritual pursuits.
The Ashramas are not meant to be taken literally. It is not necessary for everyone to go through all four stages of life. However, the Ashramas provide a framework for living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
The Ashramas are also a reminder that life is a journey, and that we are constantly evolving. As we move through different stages of life, our priorities and responsibilities change. The Ashramas help us to navigate these changes and to live our lives to the fullest.