Ancient Hindu way of living life was governed by the Ashram System. The length of human life was assumed to be 100 years and it was divided into four phases of 25 years each called Ashrams. These four ashrams were named Bramhacharya (education/skill development phase), Grihasth (house holding phase), Vanprasth (phase involving gradual withdrawal from family responsibilities) and Sanyas (phase involving total renunciation from family and other worldly matters).  The objectives and practical implications of these four ashrams were as under:

• The objective of Bramhacharya Ashram was to obtain best possible education and learn various techniques and skills useful for living one’s life after marriage successfully while shouldering the various responsibilities and duties towards one’s family, the village or city of birth or residence, the employing organization, the society and the nation. In other words, this particular ashram or phase of life was to be used for preparing a very solid foundation for working and post working life so as to realize one’s full potential. It was this phase of life which transformed a raw individual into a resource and an useful person for the family, employer and the nation. This ashram was considered to exist up to the age of 25 years. If an individual failed to utilize this crucial period of life fruitfully for empowering himself or herself, he or she was not able to realize the full potential of his or her life. Therefore it was important to ensure that each moment of this phase of life was utilized well.
• The objective of second phase of life i.e. Grihasth Ashram was to enter into marital relationship and to shoulder the responsibilities and duties towards one’s family including parents and grandparents, the village or city of birth or residence, the employing organization, the society and the nation in an effective way. This ashram was considered to commence after the age of 25 years and last up to the age of 50 years. This working phase of 25 years was considered to be the most productive phase of life for everybody and its effectiveness used to determine the success of individual, his or her family, his or her occupation or profession and the employing organization.
• The objective of third phase of life i.e. Vanprasth Ashram was to learn the art of gradual detachment or withdrawal from day to days affaires of one’s family so as to be able to obtain total detachment by the age of 75 years when one entered Sanyas Ashram. This ashram was considered to commence after the age of 50 years and lasted up to 75 years. The literal meaning the word Vanprasth is departure towards jungles or forest away from human habitation. This act of withdrawal was considered to be very difficult work as it involved learning to give up one’s power and position and empower next generation to occupy it besides reducing the attachments with various types of relationships. If an individual did not vacate his chair of power in favor of his or her sons or daughters willingly, he or she could lose their respect and could be removed from his or her position by force by them and could be forced to live a life full of neglect and lack of natural affection from his or her family members. Therefore a wise individual used to vacate his or her place of authority for younger generation on his or her own and learned to live a life without power so that he could protect his or her respect. So this gradual self withdrawal was a practical approach to maintain one’s respect after a certain age and avoid unnecessary bitterness in power politics of the family.
• The objective of Sanyas Ashram was living a totally detached life with almost no interference in day to day affaires of one’s family. This was last phase of life and was considered sunset years of life. It was considered to last up to the age of 100 years or till the death. It is fact that the death, which involves departure of soul from physical body for onward journey, becomes more painful for an individual who maintains strong attachment with worldly things including various relationships even at the time of death. An individual, who has been able to practice total detachment from worldly matters including relationships including the close ones, is able to die peacefully.

It may be seen from above that the Ashram System was designed after getting life experiences for a long time and was quite realistic.

Utility of Ashram System in modern time

The utility of ancient Ashram System of Hindu way of life needs to be examined in the context of modern time. Is it relevant in today’s time? Is there any change in this system as per current pattern of education, work or occupational scenario and post retirement work opportunities? 

The modern medical science accepts that with increase in the age the physical and mental strength of an individual develops unto a limit and then starts deteriorating after reaching the peak. Therefore the human power and intellect has to be utilized in appropriate manner for living life purposefully, happily and peacefully. Indian Ashram System of life management was designed to ensure this pattern of life cycle. The pattern of change and relevance of Ashram System in the modern time is as under

• The first phase of life, spanning 25 years, is the growth stage both for physical strength and mind power and as such this phase of life is best suited for learning new habits, languages, subjects, techniques and skills to build a solid foundation for future working life. However in the current system of education, it may not be always possible to complete the education in 25 years and in case of professional courses it may even extend up to 30 years or even more. So considering the current educational scenario the Bramhacharya Ashram can be considered to be available even up to 30 years. However medical science confirms that most fertile age for healthy procreation is between 21 years to 25 years. Therefore the marriage should take place before 25 years so that healthy offspring’s can be had and our family life can be happy. If some part of education still remains incomplete, same can continue even after the marriage.
• The second phase of life i.e. Grihasth Ashram was available from 25 to 50 years. At present in most of the cases the age of retirement has been fixed at 60 years. Depending upon life style and diet management, one could be physically and mentally healthy for some more years after the retirement but it is desirable to the take retirement after 60 years or even before on one’s own and vacate the space for young generation otherwise the unemployment will be a serious problem causing serious social and economical unrests. Therefore in the current time the Grihasth Ashram can be considered to be available between 25 years and 60 years.

This is the phase of life which is available for shouldering family responsibilities and doing jobs or taking up some profession etc as per one’s interest and capability. This is also the time to save enough money and resources to sustain a healthy, peaceful and happy life after retirement. This is most busy phase of life. But unfortunately this is the period when some individuals sometimes start taking their jobs or occupation or profession so seriously that not only their families but even their health gets neglected and they pay for it throughout their life. In such a situation, post retirement life becomes difficult as saving gets consumed in medicines and hospital expenses and concerned individual has to live with pain and suffering. Therefore it is essential to maintain a very healthy and balanced life style during the working phase and it is not desirable to become workaholic.

It is often argued (mostly by those who are in settled jobs) that if working individuals are otherwise healthy then they should be permitted to work even up to 70 years or even more. However it is worth considering that why such individuals who have worked for almost 30 or 40 years depending upon the age at which they could commence their job or occupation and might have saving which can take care of their post retirement life in a reasonable manner, want to stick to their jobs when young generation is waiting for jobs after completion of its studies? In a country like India having such high level of unemployment why there should be concept of re-employment or re-engagement or even extension of service?

If individuals aged 60 years or more are healthy and mentally alert, they should do social work after their after retirement and that too not only for money but for their own satisfaction and happiness. This may be quite helpful for the society and a country like India where bulk of population face serious economic deprivation. Therefore such sacrifice by able individuals can make a lot of difference to the society.

• The third phase of life commencing from 60 years and going up to 75 years corresponds to the third Ashram i.e. Vanprasth Ashram. In today’s time it may be impractical to go to forest leaving one’s family but it means that one should start learning to forgo one’s power which he or she used to enjoy as head of family in favor of his or her sons or daughters and start living a life of non-interference in day to day affairs of the family. He should give advice only when asked and should not feel hurt when same is not accepted. But since one has withdrawn from day to day responsibilities and has enough saving to meet his or her day to day expenses including medical expenses through various insurance schemes, he or she has spare time which he or she can devote for social welfare works and earn social respect for the same besides being happy and satisfied for doing something socially useful. An individual at this stage of life has valuable knowledge and experience which may be used for social work especially mentoring junior members of the family and village. This is a great resource which should not be neglected. Prayas is committed to provide a platform to all individuals who have spare time are willing to donate it for socially useful work.

• The fourth phase of life commencing from 75 years and going up to the time of death, corresponds to the fourth Ashram i.e. Sanyas Ashram. In today’s time it may be impractical to go to forest living one’s family and embrace death there in isolation but it means that one, while living with one’s family, should be totally detached from day to day affairs of the family. He should give advice only when specifically asked and should not feel hurt when his or her advice is not accepted. But this is the phase of life when health problems may take serious turn and one has to spend most of his or her time and money in taking care of health. Since one has totally withdrawn from day to day responsibilities and has savings to meet his or her day to day expenses including medical expenses through various insurance schemes, he or she still may have some spare time which he or she can devote for social welfare works to the extent his or her health permits and earn social respect for the same besides being happy and self-satisfied for doing something socially useful. An individual at this stage of life has valuable knowledge and experience which may be used for social work. This is also a great resource which should not be neglected. However such individual can do social services which are primarily mental in nature or physical activities involving least physical strength like supervision or mentoring etc. Prays is committed to provide such opportunity all physically fit and willing elders.

(i) The first phase of life, spanning 25 years, is the growth stage both for physical strength and mind power and as such this phase of life is best suited for learning new habits, languages, subjects, techniques and skills to build a solid foundation for future working life. However in the current system of education, it may not be always possible to complete the education in 25 years and in case of professional courses it may even extend up to 30 years or even more. So considering the current educational scenario the Bramhacharya Ashram can be considered to be available even up to 30 years. However medical science confirms that most fertile age for healthy procreation is between 18 years to 25 years. Therefore the marriage should take place before 25 years so that healthy offspring’s can be had and our family life can be happy. If some part of education remains incomplete, same can continue thereafter.

(ii) The second phase of life i.e. Grihasth Ashram was available from 25 to 50 years.  At present in most of the cases the age of retirement has been fixed at 60 years. Depending upon life style and diet management, one could be physically and mentally healthy for some more years but it is desirable to the take retirement after 60 years or even before on one’s own and vacate the space for young generation  otherwise the unemployment will be a serious problem causing serious social and economical unrests. Therefore in the current time the Grihasth Ashram can be considered to be available between 25 years and 60 years. (ii) The second phase of life i.e. Grihasth Ashram was available from 25 to 50 years.  At present in most of the cases the age of retirement has been fixed at 60 years. Depending upon life style and diet management, one could be physically and mentally healthy for some more years but it is desirable to the take retirement after 60 years or even before on one’s own and vacate the space for young generation  otherwise the unemployment will be a serious problem causing serious social and economical unrests. Therefore in the current time the Grihasth Ashram can be considered to be available between 25 years and 60 years.
This is the phase of life available for shouldering family responsibilities and doing jobs or taking up some profession etc as per one’s interest and capability. This is also the time to save enough money and resources to sustain a healthy, peaceful and happy life after retirement. This is most busy phase of life. But unfortunately this is the period when some individuals sometimes start taking their jobs or occupation or profession so seriously that not only their families but even their health gets neglected and they pay for it throughout their life. Post retirement life becomes difficult as saving gets consumed in medicines and hospital expenses and concerned individual has to live with pain and suffering. Therefore it is essential to maintain a very healthy and balanced life style during the working phase. It is bad to become workaholic.

It is often argued (mostly by those who are in settled jobs) that if working individuals are otherwise healthy then they should be permitted to work even up to 70 years or even more. However it is worth considering that why such individuals who have worked for almost 30 or 40 years depending upon the age at which they could commence their job or occupation and might have saving which can take care of their post retirement life in a reasonable manner, want to stick to their jobs when young generation is waiting for jobs after completion its studies? In a country like India having such high level of unemployment why there should be concept of re-employment or re-engagement or extension of service. Why such things should be discussed at all?It is often argued (mostly by those who are in settled jobs) that if working individuals are otherwise healthy then they should be permitted to work even up to 70 years or even more. However it is worth considering that why such individuals who have worked for almost 30 or 40 years depending upon the age at which they could commence their job or occupation and might have saving which can take care of their post retirement life in a reasonable manner, want to stick to their jobs when young generation is waiting for jobs after completion its studies? In a country like India having such high level of unemployment why there should be concept of re-employment or re-engagement or extension of service. Why such things should be discussed at all?
If individuals aged 60 years or more are healthy and mentally alert, they should do social work after their after retirement and too not only for money but for their own satisfaction and happiness. This may be quite helpful for the society and a country like India where bulk of population face serious economic deprivation. Therefore such sacrifice by able individuals can make a lot of difference to the society.
(iii) The third phase of life commencing from 60 years and going up to 75 years corresponds to the third Ashram i.e. Vanprasth Ashram. In today’s time it may be impractical to go to forest leaving one’s family but it means that one should start learning to forgo one’s power which he or she used to enjoy as head of family in favor of his or her sons or daughters and start living a life of non-interference in day to affairs of the family. He should give advice only when asked and should not feel hurt when same is not accepted. But since one has withdrawn from day to day responsibilities and has enough saving to meet his or her day to day expenses including medical expenses through various insurance schemes, he or she has spare time which he or she can devote for social welfare works and earn social respect for the same besides being happy and satisfied for doing something socially useful. An individual at this stage of life has valuable knowledge and experience which may be used for social work. This is a great resource which should not be neglected.

(iv) The fourth phase of life commencing from 75 years and going up to the time of death, corresponds to the fourth Ashram i.e. Sanyas Ashram. In today’s time it may be impractical to go to forest living one’s family and embrace death there but it means that one should be totally detached from day to day affairs of the family. He should give advice only when specifically asked and should not feel hurt when his or her advice is not accepted. But this is the phase of life when health problems may take serious turn and one has to spend most of his or her time and money in taking care of health. Since one has totally withdrawn from day to day responsibilities and has savings to meet his or her day to day expenses including medical expenses through various insurance schemes, he or she still may have some spare time which he or she can devote for social welfare works to the extent his or her health permits and earn social respect for the same besides being happy and self-satisfied for doing something socially useful. An individual at this stage of life has valuable knowledge and experience which may be used for social work. This is also a great resource which should not be neglected. However such individual can do social services which are primarily mental in nature or physical activities involving least physical strength like supervision or mentoring etc.