FIFTH CHAPTER

As per vedic varn system, the society is categorized into four segments namely ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य, and शूद्र depending upon interests of its members. After categorizing the society as per वर्ण system, vedaas divided the life-span of man (assuming life-span of man to be hundred years) into four segments, called ashramaas, of 25 years each namely, ब्रह्मचर्य (in the first 25 years of life, everyone is required to obtain knowledge of God, soul and nature in general and specifically of the occupation he intends to carry in his later years), गृहस्थ (from 25 years to 50 years of life, the persons eligible for marriage are required to lead a married life), वानप्रस्थ (after 50 years one is required to go to the forests and lead a life of non-attachment till the time, he is ready to go in the next ashram) and सन्यास. The persons of this segment are required to dedicate rest of their lives in the quest of God. In this chapter, swamiji has mentioned about the duties of वानप्रस्थ आश्रम and सन्यास आश्रम . No doubt, life of man is wrapped in attachment of world. Without this attachment, worldly affairs cannot exist. For development, man should have attachment but not attachment in isolation but attachment with knowledge. Grossly, we can say that generation of sacrificing spirit refers to generation of development of ‘attachment with knowledge’. In सन्यास आश्रम, the sacrificing spirit reaches its peak. To run the world, both attachment and sacrificing spirit are needed, that is, in other words, we can say that our attachment with the world should not be such, which can force us to cling with the world. The presence of sacrificing spirit enables man not to have grief over death. In वानप्रस्थ आश्रम, one leaves his home and almost ends his family relations. Leaving home et cetra are some of the methods for enhancing the sacrificing spirit.

Certain wrong notions exist among the people in respect of these ashramas. Some people believe that all the persons should move from one ashram to the next in accordance with age. But, these ashramas are like educational classes. As one is not authorised to move in the higher class until and unless, he has passed his lower class, in the same way, one should not move in the higher ashram without getting eligibility for entering in that ashram. First ashram, that is, brahamcharya ashram is necessary for everyone. In the next ashram, that is, grihastha ashram, only those persons should enter, who are eligible to marry. In the next ashram, that is, vaanprastha ashram, only those persons, who have been successful in learning the sacrificing spirit in the previous ashram. In vanprastha ashram, learning of this sacrificing spirit is improved further. In sanyaas ashram, only those persons should enter, who have successfully developed in them the feeling of detachment in their previous ashramaas. Some people raise the question that when grihastha ashram is an ashram for enjoyment of worldly affairs, then, how can it be the preparation ground for vanprastha ashram, that is, sacrifice- ashram. Actually, there are lots of opportunities for development of sacrificing spirit in grihastha ashram. When one marries, he divides all his possessions with his wife. On begetting children, he shares his possessions with his children also. In vanprastha ashram, whole of the efforts are for improving this sacrificing spirit.

Only that person should enter in sanyaas ashram, who considers whole of this world as his family. He is concerned about the whole of the world and directs all his actions for the welfare of the whole universe. As, it is a very difficult ashram, all are not allowed to enter it. Only the brahamanaas should go in this ashram. Here, ब्राह्मण mean the persons, who are very learned and whose behaviour is rich in ethics. सन्यासी (persons, who have moved into sanyaas ashram) are equivalent to teachers. As in a school, the number of teachers is very less than the number of students, in the same way in a society, the number of सन्यासी should be very less. It is seen that in a society, where the number of सन्यासी is proportionately more, this condition becomes the reason of more un-knowledge among सन्यासी. As grihasthiis (persons, who have moved into married life) are duty bound to fulfill all the bodily requirements of sanyasis, sanyasis in such a condition lose their respect among grihasthiis. These days, many criminals adopt the disguise of sanyasis in order to be at large from law. Also, many sanyasis are in the habit of taking drugs.     

WORDS OF SWAMIJI

-The day, one gets the feeling of true detachment in his mind, he should enter into sanyas ashram.

-One, who has not left bad behaviour, whose ‘mind’ is not at peace and who has not accepted the path of ‘yoga’, cannot realise God even after entering sanyaas ashram.

-Only that person, who is the greatest among all the varnaas or in other words only that person, who is learned, religious and thinks of the welfare of all is eligible to be a sanyasi.

-If a non-eligible person enters sanyaas ashram, then, not only he himself goes into darkness but also takes others along with him.

-Sanyaasi is one, who inspires others to move on the path of righteousness by himself moving on that path.

 -One, who cannot leave sensual pleasures should not enter into sanyaas ashram, but why should not one, who can control his senses, enter into sanyaas ashram?