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Showing posts with label Asharam Dharma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asharam Dharma. Show all posts

Concept of Varnasrama (Varnashrama)

The word dharma generally understood as ‘the religious and moral duties’ of a person in his or her life. We must have to remember that dharma is a key concept in most of the World’s religions with various meaning, specifically in Hinduism.

 

In Hinduism, dharma is an organising principle that applies on human beings in their interaction with other humans and nature as well as between inanimate objects to all of Cosmos and its parts. It talks about the order and customs which make life and universe possible and includes behaviours, rituals, rules and ethics, which govern a society. In its true essence, dharma means “to expand the mind”. Furthermore, it represents the direct connection between the individual and the societal phenomena that bind the society together.

 

In Hinduism, dharma generally includes various aspects like Sanatana Dharma, Varnasrama dharma, Sva dharma, Sadharana dharma, Yuga dharma, etc. If we talk about Varnasram and it’s various aspects, we find that, the concept of Varnasram or Varnashrama dharma can easily understand by examine two core words – Varna and Ashrama, as these two social institutions combine to form Varnasram dharma.

 

When we talk about first core word – Varna, we found a lot of debates and opinions about its origin and specially its effect on Indian society. As it is a debatable topic, so here we take generally accepted definition and views about Varna. The literal meaning of Varna is Colour but later it solidified into caste system. We traced the Varna concept from the Purusha Sukta verse of the Rig Veda; which classify society as the Brahman, Rajanya (instead of Kshatriya), Vaishya and Shudra classes forming the mouth, arms, thighs and feet at the sacrifice of the Primordial Purusha, respectively. In the post-Vedic period, the Varna division is described in the Dharmashastra, Mahabharata and in Puranas, also. The Varna system In Dharma-shastras divides society into four varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya and Shudras). Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins are Untouchables and considered outside the Varna system. Barbarians and those who are unrighteous or unethical are also considered outcastes.

 

Note 1: There are misconceptions regarding varnas and Holy book Bhagavad Gita and generally people considered that, Lord Krishna divide and create caste in society. Actually, when we examine text and acquire meaning, we found it true that Bhagavad Gita mentioned about varnas and division in society, but Lord Krishna said that "The fourfold order was created by Me, according to the divisions of quality and work (karma)”. So, this is a division by karma of a person not by birth of a person; it also means that one can create his position in society by hard work.

 

Now, we talk about second core word i.e. Ashrama dharma, according to Hinduism, there are four stages in human life which are called Ashramas. These are the four stages of learning and advancing for a human being. And it is believed in Hinduism that Ashrama dharma provide an opportunity to prepare oneself to reach enlightenment (or Moksha), which is the highest aim of human life. Following are the four Asramas:-

(a). Brahmacharya Ashrama (Student) (Age ranges from Birth to 25 years old) (Students take entry into Gurukul by Upanayana rituals and leave Gurukul by Samavartana rituals)

- Brahmacharya represented the bachelor student stage of life. This stage focuses on education and included the practice of celibacy.

 

(b). Grhastha Ashrama (Household) (Age ranges from 25 to 50 years old) (Usually begin with Marriage)

- This stage referred to the individual’s married life, with the duties of maintaining a household, raising a family, educating children, and leading a family-centred and a dharma oriented social life. It was a most important sociological stage and represented most intense physical, sexual, emotional, occupational, social and material attachments exist in a human being’s life.

 

(c). Vanaprastha Ashrama (Forest Walker or Retired Life) (Age ranges from 50-75 years old)

- This was retirement stage, where a person handed over household responsibilities to the next generation, took an advisory role, and gradually withdrew from the world.

- This Vanaprastha stage was a transition phase from a householder’s life to Moksha (spiritual liberation).

 

(d). Sanyasa Ashrama (Renunciation) (Age above 75 years old or anytime after 25 years old as this stage can be followed after Brahmacharya stage directly)

- This stage was marked by renunciation of material things, and focused on Moksha, peace and simple spiritual life.

 

Now, when we talk about Varnasrama dharma, we found that, it is a Sanskrit word, means “Caste and Stages of life”. It consist two social institutions -Varna system and Ashrama dharama. Varna system talks about four social orders or division (Caste) while Ashrama dharma talks about four stages of life. They both mingled to form Varnasrama dharma. Varnasrama dharma consist a set of personal duties and social responsibilities for an individual, as describe above. It is very important to note that dharma like Varnasrama present in Hinduism offers a complete healthy lifespan. By healthy, we mean, by following rules and adopting teachings of dharma in life, a human can happily live his/her life.

 

We just tried to define Varnasrama dharma in simple words with help of its some important aspects; however this topic is a matter of time and further study, which is not required here. If you further want to study this topic we suggest that you first read Rigveda. All suggestions, queries and comments are welcome through comment section; you can also contact us through below form.

 

 

Note 2: In India, Communities which belong to one of the four varnas or classes are called Savarna Hindus. The Dalits and Tribals who do not belong to any varnas were called Avarna.

 

Note 3: The Laws of Manu was one of the first Sanskrit texts to be translated into English in 1776, by British philologist Sir William Jones, and was used to construct the Hindu law code.

 

 

 

- Bibliography

1. Bahadur, Rakesh. Varna Ashram and Hindu Scriptures.

 

2. Bharati, Swami Paramananda. Mahaparivrajaka (A Novel Based on Shankaracharya`s Life and Philisophy. Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan. India. 2014.

[ISBN-10: 9383721790 /ISBN-13: 978-9383721795]

 

3. Dahiya, Poonam Dalal. Ancient and Medieval India. McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited. Delhi. 2nd Edition. 2020.

[ISBN10: 9390113644 /ISBN13: 978-9390113644]

 

4. Das, Harivilas. Varnashrama Dharma-Perfect Organization of Society.

 

5. Exotic India. Varnashrama Dharma: A Logical View. Exotic India Pvt Ltd. Newsletter/Article. 2015.

 

6. Flaherty, Wendy Doniger O`. Rig Veda (Black Classics). Penguin (India) Books. New Delhi. 2000.

[ISBN10: 9780140444025 /ISBN-13: 978-0140444025]

 

7. IGNOU. MGP003. Gandhi`s Social Thought. Indra Gandhi National Open University. New Delhi.

 

8. Kadlabal, Ravindranath. Purusha Suktam : With the original Sanskrit Commentary of Sri Vadiraja Teertha Swamiji. Notion Press. 2022.

[ISBN-13: 979-8888158630]

 

9. Prabhu, R.K. Mind of Mahatma Gandhi. Navajivan Publishing House. India. 2007.

[ISBN10: 8172291493 /ISBN13: 978-8172291495]

 

10. R. Ramachandran. Hinduism: In the Context of Manusmriti, Vedas and Bhagavat Gita. Vitasta Publishing Pvt Ltd. 2010.

[ISBN13: 978-8189766498]

 

11. S. Radhakrishnan. The Bhagavad Gita. HarperCollins Publication. Thomson Press (India) Ltd. Noida. 2014.

[ISBN10: 8172238983 /ISBN13: 978-8172238988]

 

12. Singh, Upinder. A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Publications. New Delhi. 2009.

[ISBN10: 9788131716779 /ISBN-13: 978-8131716779]

 

13. Smith, Brian, and Doniger, Wendy. The Laws of Manu. Penguin Classics Publication. England. 1991.

[ISBN-10: 0140445404 /ISBN-13: 978-0140445404]

 

 

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