In this article, we will discuss four stages of life according to Hinduism.

Hinduism not only tells you the aims of life but also shows the practical way to achieve them. To do this, Hinduism divides a person’s life into four stages or Asramas:

1. Brahmacharya-Asrama (student).

2. Grihastha-Asrama (householder).

3. Vanaprastha-Asrama (retirement).

4. Sannyasa-Asrama (renunciation).

Hinduism considers the average human lifespan to be 100 years, which is divided into four stages. The first 25 years should be spent learning various skills and acquiring knowledge valuable for life. The following 25 years should be dedicated to building a family, raising children, and guiding them in the right direction. At the age of 50, one should begin withdrawing from worldly life, though not wholly, as the family may still need support. By 75, most people have no major responsibilities, as their children have grown and established their own lives. At this stage, one should focus on renouncing worldly attachments and striving for salvation, which is considered the ultimate goal of human life.

Remember, this is a guideline and not a compulsion for anybody, even for the Brahmins (priests), but it is an ideal way to live a well-planned life. The people who do not like worldly life can denounce it at any time.

1. Brahmacharya-Asrama:

Brahmacharya means celibacy. This is the student phase of life. In this Asrama, one is supposed to acquire knowledge from one’s teacher and to remain celibate. The stage generally starts at 8 years of age. The student is introduced to his Guru through a ceremony called “Upanayana.”

Notably, this stage is only for boys and not for girls, and the student needs to stay with his teacher until he finishes his studies. This stage ends at 20 to 25 or less, depending on the situation.

2. Grihastha-Asrama:

Grihasthashrama means the stage of life when the person is married and has to fulfill all his duties towards his wife, children, father, and mother. This stage starts when the Brahmacharya Asrama ends. So, this is the second stage of life. During this stage, he has to earn his livelihood using the skills he learned from his teacher during the Brahmacharya Asrama. This is the most critical stage of life and tends to last longer than other stages. During this stage, he is authorized to enjoy “Kama” and work hard to secure “Artha.”  This stage is expected to end at 50 years of age.

3. Vanaprastha-Asrama:

Vanaprastha means “going to the forest.”  This is the third stage of life. This is the stage when the person is to retire, give up sexual life, give up all their possessions to their children, and enter the forest. He could leave his wife in the care of his sons or allow her to accompany him. He will live as a hermit, surviving on alms.

Notably, a person cannot enter Vanaprasthashrama unless and until his daughters are married and his sons can earn their livelihood. This ensures that the person completes all his duties towards his family.

4. Sannyasa-Asrama:

Sannyasa means complete renunciation. This is the last stage of life and may start at 75, but there is no such age restriction. He is to dedicate himself entirely to spirituality. He is to live on fruits and roots found in the jungle. He is not allowed to eat cooked food or beg for alms. He needs to avoid unnecessary contact with anybody. He does not need to care about his body. He is to practice austerities and thus be prepared for salvation. If he follows this stage properly, he will be released from the cycle of birth and rebirth and attain Moksha (salvation).