Four Phases of Life in Hinduism Vanaprastha And Sannyasa

Four Goals of Life Complements with the four stages of life Dharma Artha Kama Moksha Link with the Samskara system This is the framework for the lives of an orthodox Hindu

Brief Recap First phase of life is the Brahmacharya Also known as the celibate student Phase of formal education Lasts until a man’s mid-twenties Preparation for future Second phase of life is the Grihastha Also known as the married family man When a man is supposed to get married and support family Supports the pursuit of wealth (artha), and indulgence (Kama) Many struggle to move beyond the second phase of life

Vanaprastha – The Hermit in Retreat This phase of life occurs around retirement age Vana (Forest) and Prastha (residence) Relinquish possessions and wealth Moves out to live in a hut in the forest Modern interpretation Leaving home

The Hermit in Retreat (cont.) Wife’s role May follow the husband Minimal social and conjugal relationship Transitional phase Limited to daily tasks such as preparing meals Ultimate pursuit of Moksha Transition from materialistic pursuits to spiritual liberation The man is supposed to be completely cut off from family

The Hermit in Retreat (cont.) Uncommon for the modern Hindu Most elderly Hindus live in their family homes with their children A few retire to the hermitage (asrama) of a well-regarded religious teacher Some relocate to a town with some religious renown i.e. Banaras – Forest of Bliss: Popular retirement site Others go on occasional pilgrimages to various religious sites i.e. Tiruvannamalai, or Pondicheri, or Haridvar or Rishikesh

Tiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar temple towers Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva

Sannyasa – The Wandering Recluse Also known as the wandering ascetic or renouncer phase Traditionally the last phase of a man or woman’s life Modern practicing Hindus Some choose to skip to this stage Straight away renounce materialistic desires Dedication to spiritual pursuits, particularly Moksha This phase is not regularly practiced

The Wandering Recluse (cont.) Traditionally, the Sannyasins leave their family and loved ones Supposed to perform their death rites Burn their sacred threads Abandon the household fire Wander the world in search for the final and highest goal Liberation or Moksha Renouncer must ignore “I” and “MY” Cut loose from limitations of individuality

The Wandering Recluse (cont.) Attire: Rag robes Traditionally dyed in a saffron hue to conceal stains No formal requirements  wide variety of practices for those who end up going into this phase of life Common themes Minimal possessions i.e. staff and bowl Nomadic lifestyle The reason for living a nomadic lifestyle

The Wandering Recluse (cont.) Important quote from the Bhagavad Gita: 5.3: “One who neither hates nor desires the fruits of his activities is known to be always renounced. Such a person, free from all dualities, easily overcomes material bondage and is completely liberated, O Mighty-armed Arjuna.” Discusses the ultimate goal of liberation Other characteristics: Non-violence, disarmament, purity Characteristics are not exclusive to this phase of life

The Wandering Recluse (cont.) Ultimate goal of a renouncer is to attain Moksha or liberation Definition of liberation differs among traditions i.e. Yoga traditions Liberation is experiencing the highest Samadhi (Deep awareness in this life) Being a renouncer is ultimately a means to decrease and end ties of all kind Seen as people who abandon society and live a reclusive life ACTUALLY: people who reject the ritual mores of the social world and one’s attachment to materialistic desires Liberation, freedom, blissful existence

The Wandering Recluse (cont.) Transitioning between the second and third phase is extremely difficult Giving up all materialistic possessions Modern Hindus However, transitioning to the fourth phase from the third phase is not as difficult

Conclusion Vanaprastha is mostly a transitional phase of life Transitioning from materialistic goods to a more religious life Sannyasa is living the ascetic and nomadic religious life in pursuit of Moksha Goal of Hinduism is to attain a liberated, free, and blissful existence Will not be reborn, but instead be absorbed into the universal soul

Bibliography Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions. 6th ed. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Fowler, Jeaneane D. Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices. Brighton: Sussex Academic, 1997. Print. Stevenson, Sinclair. The Rites of the Twice-born. New Delhi: Oriental Reprint; Exclusively Distributed by Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi, 1971. Print. Rodrigues, Hillary. Introducing Hinduism. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2006. Print. Morgan, Kenneth W. The Religion of the Hindus. New York: Ronald, 1953. Print. "Bhagavad Gita 5.3." The Bhagavad Gita with Commentaries of Ramanuja Madhva Shankara and Others Bhagavad Gita 53 Comments. N.p., 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 21 Nov. 2015. http://study.com/academy/lesson/the-four-goals-of-hindu-life-kama-artha-dharma-moksha.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sSnRv0xueM