The Anatomy of Enforced Renunciation: From the Gilded Cage to the Sovereignty of the Ātman By Durgadas (Rodney) Lingham, Veda Kovid. Dip. Nat, Dip. P.Psych. (c) Durgadas (Rodney) Lingham. All Rights Reserved.No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any manner, except with the written permission of the author directly. 1. The Triad of Stripping: The Involuntary Saṃnyāsa The…

Introduction to Four Stages of Life:

In Sanatana Dharma, life is seen as a journey towards spiritual enlightenment, and the four stages of life or ashramas provide a framework for this journey. These four stages are Brahmacharya, Gṛhastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa. Each stage has its own unique purpose and is associated with different responsibilities and spiritual practices.

The Four Stages:

The first stage of life is Brahmacharya, which is the stage of student life. During this stage, young people are expected to study the sacred scriptures and gain knowledge under the guidance of a guru. This stage is meant to cultivate discipline, self-control, and a strong foundation in spiritual and moral principles.

The second stage of life is Gṛhastha, which is the stage of householder life. During this stage, one is expected to fulfill the responsibilities of family life, including raising children and supporting one's community. This stage is meant to cultivate a sense of duty, responsibility, and compassion towards others.

The third stage of life is Vanaprastha, which is the stage of retirement. During this stage, one is expected to gradually withdraw from worldly responsibilities and focus on spiritual pursuits. This stage is meant to cultivate detachment, introspection, and a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.

The fourth stage of life is Sannyasa, which is the stage of renunciation. During this stage, one is expected to completely renounce worldly attachments and focus on spiritual realization. This stage is meant to cultivate complete detachment from material desires and a single-minded focus on attaining liberation.

The four stages of life provide a comprehensive framework for spiritual development, and they are closely tied to the rhythms of nature. In Hinduism, the cycles of nature are seen as a reflection of the cycles of human life, and each stage of life is associated with a particular season.

Brahmacharya is associated with the spring season, which is a time of new beginnings and growth. Gṛhastha is associated with the summer season, which is a time of abundance and growth. Vanaprastha is associated with the autumn season, which is a time of transition and letting go. Sannyasa is associated with the winter season, which is a time of reflection, introspection, and inner transformation.

The four stages of life are deeply rooted in Sanatana Dharma, and they are reflected in many sacred texts, puranas, and scripts. The Bhagavad Gita, for example, provides guidance for each stage of life, and it emphasizes the importance of following one's dharma or duty in each stage.

The Puranas also provide insights into the spiritual significance of each stage of life. For example, the Markandeya Purana describes the importance of the Brahmacharya stage, stating that it is the foundation for all other stages of life. The Garuda Purana describes the importance of the Vanaprastha stage, stating that it is the time to let go of material desires and focus on spiritual pursuits.

In addition to the four stages of life, Sanatana Dharma also emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature. Nature is seen as a manifestation of the divine, and human beings are seen as an integral part of this interconnected web of life.

The practice of Ayurveda, for example, emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and maintaining a balance between body, mind, and spirit. The principles of Ayurveda can be applied to each stage of life, helping individuals to cultivate health, happiness, and spiritual well-being.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the four stages of life provide a comprehensive framework for spiritual development in Sanatana Dharma. Each stage is associated with different responsibilities and spiritual practices, and they are closely tied to the rhythms of nature. By following these stages and living in harmony with nature, individuals can lead a balanced and meaningful life that is grounded in spirituality. It is important to note that these stages are not rigidly defined and can vary depending on an individual's circumstances and personal beliefs. However, they do offer a useful guide for those seeking spiritual growth and fulfillment.

You underestimate the power of Harinama, therefore you doubt. Have your doubts dispelled. This is a confidential proclamation, yet most who struggle will not take it up. Analyze things that trigger sexual acts/behavior and then make arrangements that will eliminate the triggering. Onanism results in terrible physical and emotional consequences. To say it is physically healthy to masturbate is plain ignorant. To regularly masturbate, even if it is once in a long while, does not make the habit go away. It rather creates and fortifies the habit ! Even to masturbate once in a while is a break, and you cannot get higher consciousness or even lower samadhi, so the goal is to break free totally, it is a hard but worthwhile task. If we do not relate to sex in the right, natural manner (procreation), it will cause havoc, individually and collectively. Wherever you go, you will see sex. According to the Vedic teachings, the purpose of sex is procreation. So if you are not going to procreate and have children, do not have sex. That means that one has two options : to brahmacari or marry.

  People might say “Whenever you see a child, you are seeing a product of sex.”  But even in Bhagavad-Gita, it is said : “They say that this world is unreal, with no foundation, no God in control. They say it is a product of sex desire and has no cause other than lust… They conclude that as a child is simply the result of sexual intercourse between man and woman, this world is born without any soul.” (Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 16.8). There is no sex in the spiritual world : “Practically speaking, there is no sex life in the spiritual world” (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.17.12). You need to learn to see it as an act of procreation rather than a means to pleasure. It does not lead to pleasure, it leads to material bondage and pain. This is how you need to see it. Otherwise you are in illusion. Brahmacaries, of course, do not procreate.

Most individuals are reinforcing the enjoyment mood when talking about sex. It is preposterous to say that one may masturbate once in a while to relieve stress. Firstly, to think that it relieves stress is a grand illusion, and secondly, to say that the uncompromising words of the Bhagavatam and the Acaryas will not stand these days, over scientific research and ‘facts’, both of which are concoctions of the mind, is blatantly ludicrous. People justify their illiteracy saying that masturbating once in a while will not make one less spiritually advanced, and declares it as truth which must be wholeheartedly admitted and accepted. Persons in the history of ISKCON have tried to water down the teachings to attract masses. However, they earned some trivial name and fame, losing it all to grievous fall downs, rejection by the Sampradaya, and ultimately, spiritual devastation. Only a fool speaks to minimize timeless truth. Srila Prabhupada was not a fool in calling sense gratifiers dogs and hogs that eat stool. Intelligent people accept and reform, while others rant away and rationalize nonsensically.

Of the four basic regulations of freedom, abstinence from sex is the toughest, and will take the maximum effort and time to get rid of. Such spontaneous bhajana can come only from serious sadhana, as you have performed. Now your mind has deep scars from voluntary, compulsive and repetitive acts of self sabotage. For you to reverse this will take nothing less than resolute determination. Firstly, one must not feel more guilty than required. We understand that everyone and everything in the material world is covered with some fault. Do not let others make you feel guilty, and most importantly, do not make yourself feel guilty. This is because guilt demands punishment, and you may unconsciously get into a syndrome of guilt and punishment, thus sabotaging yourself. So, begin by self forgiveness. Be humble and accept that you are a conditioned soul who has threatening addictions. Do what you can, and the results will be tantamount. Satisfying one’s senses is ‘kama’ and satisfying Krisna’s senses is ‘prema’.

Introduction of Four Stages:

In Hinduism, life is divided into four stages or ashramas. Each stage is associated with different responsibilities and spiritual practices, and they are closely tied to the rhythms of nature. These four stages are Brahmacharya, Gṛhastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa. In this article, we will explore each of these stages in detail, their significance, and how they relate to spiritual development in Hinduism.

Brahmacharya - The Stage of Celibacy and Learning Brahmacharya is the first stage of life, which begins after the initiation ceremony called Upanayana. This stage is focused on celibacy and learning. In the traditional sense, this stage was meant for young boys, who were sent to live with a guru or a teacher to receive education on scriptures, philosophy, and other knowledge systems. The primary aim of this stage is to cultivate knowledge, discipline, and self-control. In the ancient times, the Brahmacharya stage was believed to last for 25 years, during which the students were required to follow a strict regimen of study, meditation, and self-discipline. They were not allowed to engage in any worldly pleasures or materialistic pursuits. The purpose of this stage was to prepare the young mind for the responsibilities of the next stage, Gṛhastha. Gṛhastha - The Stage of Householder Gṛhastha is the second stage of life, which begins after the completion of the Brahmacharya stage. This stage is focused on building a family, pursuing a career, and fulfilling worldly duties. The primary aim of this stage is to contribute to society and raise a family in a responsible manner. During this stage, individuals are expected to marry, have children, and support them financially and emotionally. They are also expected to contribute to society in various ways, such as performing charity, participating in community events, and promoting social harmony. It is believed that by fulfilling these responsibilities with sincerity and dedication, one can attain material and spiritual prosperity. Vanaprastha - The Stage of Retirement Vanaprastha is the third stage of life, which begins after the completion of the Gṛhastha stage. This stage is focused on gradual retirement from worldly duties and preparing for the next stage, Sannyasa. The primary aim of this stage is to detach oneself from materialistic pursuits and focus on spiritual practices. During this stage, individuals are expected to retreat to a quiet place, such as a forest, and live a simple life. They are supposed to detach themselves from worldly pleasures and materialistic pursuits and focus on spiritual practices, such as meditation, chanting, and self-reflection. This stage is also associated with the practice of austerity and detachment from material possessions. Sannyasa - The Stage of Renunciation Sannyasa is the final stage of life, which begins after the completion of the Vanaprastha stage. This stage is focused on complete renunciation of materialistic pursuits and attachment to worldly pleasures. The primary aim of this stage is to attain spiritual liberation and merge with the divine consciousness. During this stage, individuals are supposed to renounce all material possessions, including family, wealth, and social status. They are expected to live a life of complete detachment, dedicating their time and energy to spiritual practices such as meditation, self-reflection, and service to humanity. It is believed that by following this stage, one can attain spiritual liberation and merge with the divine consciousness.

Introduction to Four Stages of Life:

In Sanatana Dharma, life is seen as a journey towards spiritual enlightenment, and the four stages of life or ashramas provide a framework for this journey. These four stages are Brahmacharya, Gṛhastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa. Each stage has its own unique purpose and is associated with different responsibilities and spiritual practices. The Four Stages: The first stage of life is Brahmacharya, which is the stage of student life. During this stage, young people are expected to study the sacred scriptures and gain knowledge under the guidance of a guru. This stage is meant to cultivate discipline, self-control, and a strong foundation in spiritual and moral principles. The second stage of life is Gṛhastha, which is the stage of householder life. During this stage, one is expected to fulfill the responsibilities of family life, including raising children and supporting one's community. This stage is meant to cultivate a sense of duty, responsibility, and compassion towards others. The third stage of life is Vanaprastha, which is the stage of retirement. During this stage, one is expected to gradually withdraw from worldly responsibilities and focus on spiritual pursuits. This stage is meant to cultivate detachment, introspection, and a deeper understanding of the nature of reality. The fourth stage of life is Sannyasa, which is the stage of renunciation. During this stage, one is expected to completely renounce worldly attachments and focus on spiritual realization. This stage is meant to cultivate complete detachment from material desires and a single-minded focus on attaining liberation. The four stages of life provide a comprehensive framework for spiritual development, and they are closely tied to the rhythms of nature. In Hinduism, the cycles of nature are seen as a reflection of the cycles of human life, and each stage of life is associated with a particular season.

Brahmacharya is associated with the spring season, which is a time of new beginnings and growth. Gṛhastha is associated with the summer season, which is a time of abundance and growth. Vanaprastha is associated with the autumn season, which is a time of transition and letting go. Sannyasa is associated with the winter season, which is a time of reflection, introspection, and inner transformation. The four stages of life are deeply rooted in Sanatana Dharma, and they are reflected in many sacred texts, puranas, and scripts. The Bhagavad Gita, for example, provides guidance for each stage of life, and it emphasizes the importance of following one's dharma or duty in each stage. The Puranas also provide insights into the spiritual significance of each stage of life. For example, the Markandeya Purana describes the importance of the Brahmacharya stage, stating that it is the foundation for all other stages of life. The Garuda Purana describes the importance of the Vanaprastha stage, stating that it is the time to let go of material desires and focus on spiritual pursuits. In addition to the four stages of life, Sanatana Dharma also emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature. Nature is seen as a manifestation of the divine, and human beings are seen as an integral part of this interconnected web of life. The practice of Ayurveda, for example, emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and maintaining a balance between body, mind, and spirit. The principles of Ayurveda can be applied to each stage of life, helping individuals to cultivate health, happiness, and spiritual well-being.

Conclusion: