Promoting Ashrama way of life
The human life is divided into four stages in Vedas and these four stages are
- Brahmacharya
- Gruhastashrama
- Vanaprasthashrama
- Sanyasahrama
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Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya is the stage when the young child leads a student life (ideally in the Gurukula, the household of the Guru). This stage of life is preceded by the child's Upanayanam, a ceremony in which the child is considered to take a second birth. Brahmacharya is the first of the four phases of human life.
Gruhastashrama
After completing their studies, Brahmacharies, would return to their parents. Then they would become Gruhasthas or householders. Once a man becomes a Grihastha, he is expected to settle down, get married & have children, practising principles like earning by honest means, taking care of family members, extending hospitality to guests, performing yagnas etc
Vanaprasthashrama
The third stage is Vanaprastha, the person is instructed to follow the Aranyakas and engage in meditation.
By retiring to vanas after crossing 50 years of age, scope is given for the youth to assume household responsibilities.
Over crowding in the cities can be avoided. Environmental pollution can also be controlled. Political leadership acquires new blook and the social fabric remains as strong as ever.
In forest-like places where gurukulas exist; vanaprasthis get scope to serve the needs of such organisations and yet remain committed to pursue their spiritual practices in the environment which is best suited for the purpose.
The designers of Om Shantidhama, a vedic world project, have provided excellent scope for accommodating the Vanaprasthashrama Scheme of life in accordance with the basic features of Sanatana Dharma. The scheme deviced for vanaprasthis consists of the following salient features.
Vanaprasthashrama Scheme
The designers of Om Shantidhama, a vedic world project, have provided excellent scope for accommodating the Vanaprasthashrama Scheme of life in accordance with the basic features of Sanatana Dharma. The scheme deviced for vanaprasthis consists of the following salient features.
Features:
- Exclusive land for accommodating vanaprashis.
- Strong but simple kutir (living blocs) for each vanaprasthi.
- Free library, medical and spiritual services.
- Extra services at extra-cost.
- Facility to retain servants/assistants in close proximity.
- Enormous scope to engage in educational, gardening, agricultural, medical and spiritual activities for all able bodied persons.
- Facility to house couples as vanaprasthis and accommodation for guests for a limited period.
- Transportation and communication facility as and when required, at reasonable cost.
- Great scope for service and spiritual sadhana (practice).
- Pollution free River Cauvery, pleasant plants and trees, surrounding hills, all add upto making the place the most congenial place for spending the evening of one's life as a vanaprasthi.
Sanyasashrama
Here individuals will completely renounce all worldly attachments and activities. Practicing self-control and meditation, they totally dedicate themselves to realize the highest reality.