Real civilization is not concerned simply with man’s animal needs –
- eating (ahaar,)
- sleeping (nidra,)
- defending out of fear (bhaya) and
- mating (maithun) but with enabling man to understand his relationship with God.
Literature describes three stages of spiritual development:
A) Sambandha-to know our relationship with the Supreme lord,
B) Abhideya- to act accordingly and
C) Prayojana, toattain the purpose for which we establish our relationship.
In the scriptures, we encounter many principles which seem difficult in our modern day situation. However, it is indeed necessary to understand the spirit behind the Vedic injunctions and implant it in our lives. Vedic culture is so nice and perfect that we should make earnest efforts to actually practise these principles in everyday life as much as possible.
The subject presented in this paragraph deals with the duties and responsibilities of a householder, grihsastha, an integral aspect of the esteemed Varnashram during Vedic culture.
Lord Krishna is the creator Varnaashrama. Dharma beginning with the intelligent class of men, technically called ‘Brahmanas’ due to their being situated in the mode of goodness (satva guna).
Next is the administration class, technically called the ‘Kshatriyas’ due to their being situated in the mode of passion. (rajo guna). The mercantile class called the ‘Vaishyas’, are situated in the mixed mode of passion and ignorance and the ‘Shudras’ or labour class are situated in the mode of ignorance (tamo guna).
Human society, all over the world can be classified in terms of one’s work and qualifications and not by birth. Then again there are four orders of life in the social system, namely
- the student life (brahmachari ashrama),
- the householders’ life (grihastha ashrama) ,
- the retired life (vanprastha ashrama) and
- the renunciant’s life (sannyäs ashrama).
It is to be emphasized that for each and every one of the above-mentioned divisions of life, the aim must be to realise one himself.