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.
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