Question

With reference to the Society during the Vedic Age, answer the following question:

Explain the four stages in the life of an Aryan.

Answer 1

In the Later Vedic Period, the whole life-span of an Aryan came to be divided into four periods. The four stages of life are known as four ashramas, each of 25 years duration. The four ashramas are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sanyasa.
The Brahmacharya Ashrama lasted up to the age of 25 years. During this period, the pupil was expected to acquire knowledge in the gurukul and observe strict discipline. During the period of the Grithastha Ashrama, (25 to 50 years) man was supposed to marry and raise a family. As a householder, he was to take responsibility for maintaining his family.
The third stage was Vanaprastha Ashrama. (50 to 75 years) During this period man was expected to retire from worldly life and acquire spiritual and philosophical knowledge.
The last stage (75 to 100 years) was the Sanyasa Ashrama. This was the period of renunciation. A man had to leave everything forever and go into meditation in order to attain moksha or salvation.