Ashrama Dharma

A student who has studied in due order the three Vedas, or two, or even one only, without breaking the rules of studentship, shall enter the order of householders. Having dwelt with a teacher during the first part of a man’s life, a Brahmana shall live during the second quarter of his existence in his house, after he has wedded a wife. A twice-born Snataka, who has thus lived according to the law in the order of householders, may, taking a firm resolution and keeping his organs in subjection, dwell in the forest, duly observing the rules given below. When a householder sees his skin wrinkled, and his hair white, and the sons of his sons, then he may resort to the forest. Abandoning all food raised by cultivation, and all his belongings, he may depart into the forest, either committing his wife to his sons, or accompanied by her. Taking with him the sacred fire and the implements required for domestic sacrifices, he may go forth from the village into the forest and reside there, duly controlling his senses. Let him offer those five great sacrifices according to the rule, with various kinds of pure food fit for ascetics, or with herbs, roots, and fruit. But having thus passed the third part of a man’s natural term of life in the forest, a Brahmana may live as an ascetic during the fourth part of his existence, after abandoning all attachment to worldly objects. When he has paid the three debts, let him apply his mind to the attainment of final liberation; he who seeks it without having paid his debts sinks downwards. The fourfold law The student, the householder, the hermit, and the ascetic, these constitute four separate orders, which all spring from the order of householders. A Sudra after becoming an adult will become an householder and he could remain in the same order till the end. [15]