ASHRAMAS
A well-organized human life must have four distinct phases called the ASHRAMAS.
Brahmacharya:
The first phase is devoted to study, and extends from the age of 8 to sometimes 25 years old. It is a period of learning and obedience where one learns one's duties (dharmas)
Grihasthya:
The second phase is devoted to the founding of a home and the experience of fatherhood (until the age of fifty). It is a period of activity and enrichment where we discover prosperity (artha) and pleasure (kama)
Vânaprastha: (the one who goes to the forest)
The third stage of life is marked by the birth of small children, and is devoted to religion, far from active life, in the practice of meditation and asceticism (tapas) thus preparing for Sannyasa. It is a period of progressive detachment where we pass on our goods and know-how to our children (from 50 to 74 years old)
Sannyasa (complete surrender, renunciation)
The fourth stage is a total renunciation of social life, even identity. It is an anticipated death, in silence (mauna), in the exclusive search of MOKSHA.
This period is a preparation for physical death, but not only that, because human life is not considered as the best that can happen, we seek above all to lighten the weight of samskaras (impressions, traces, memories) attached to individual life experience (jivatman) and ultimate cause of its continuity.
The ultimate goal of a well-understood life is therefore MOKSHA, (liberation) or MUKTA, a state which no longer produces additional karma, and which escapes the influence of SAMSARA. One who has attained moksha is called a jivanmukti, a living liberated one.
A direct path which avoids brahmacharya, grihastya and vanaprastha exists, and that is that of sadhus who enter sannyasa prematurely. They are found almost everywhere in India where they wander around dressed in a single saffron dress and beg for their food.
Entry into sannyasa is generally consecrated by a guru and is called sannyasa diksha.
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