According to the Indian culture, human life should be divided in 4 Ashrams. They are important to remove the ignorance and to attain the knowledge 1.   Brahmacharyashram 2.   Grihasthashram 3.   Vanaprasthashram 4.   Sannyasashram

Defining the undefined, knowing the unknown By Ninad and Priyanka

➢ Mastering the art of living human life

➢  Knowledge of science, philosophy and scriptures

➢  Life oriented education ➢ Human values and moral values ➢  Knowing the Brahman which is

my true nature

1. Brahmacharyashram

2. Grihasthashram

Acknowledgement and respects Ø  Adi Shankaracharya Ø  Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishan Mission and their

literary works Ø  Ramkrishna Paramhansa Ø  Rev. Pandurang Shastri Athavale Ø  Upanishad Ganga (A TV series on DD National) Ø  Dr. Ramesh Varkhede and Chhaya Varkhede

References Ø  Vivekchudamani by Adi Shankaracharya Ø  Axiological Approach to the Vedas, By Sahebrao

Genu Nigal Ø  Vivah Sanskar, Shodh and Bodh (Rashtra Sevika

Samiti) Ø  Shri Valmiki Ramayan Darshan (a book based on

discourses by Rev. Pandurang Shastri Athavale )

Sharing promises with each others

From the ignorance to the knowledge

Vivekchudamani, 254 That which is beyond caste and creed, family and lineage; devoid of name and form, merit and demerit; transcending space, time and

sense-objects;-- that Brahman is you, meditate on this in your mind

4. Sannyasashram

➢  4 Ashrams are guiding lights for the humanity ➢  4 Ashrams direct us to find the ultimate goal of the life ➢  They also help to know our true nature. By following 4 Ashrams, we

will know that our true nature is in fact the Brahman. We are not this body, not this mind, not even the intellect. We are the witness consciousness, the Brahman

Raghuvamsha, 1:8 (Kings from Raghuvamsha) studied science and scriptures during the

childhood, enjoyed the world during the youth, lived like a monk during the old age and at the end they left their bodies by ‘Yog’ (may

mean that they were ‘One’ with the Brahman when they died)

➢ Grihastha life is a union of the husband and the wife ➢  As said in below verse, Kings from Raghuvamsha were unified with

the Brahman. The unification in married life is a practice to connect ourselves to the Brahman and ultimately know ourselves as Brahman.

Ø  Puffed rice represents bright and pure relationship of the bride and the groom

Ø  The Bride prays to God that she should never be deprived of love, affection and care by the groom’s family

Ø  The groom says, you are the strength and I am the spirit. I am sky and you are earth. We are inseparable from one another

3. Vanaprasthashram Ø  From family oriented person into a society

oriented selfless monk Ø  Literally, it means that the husband and the wife

should give away all responsibilities of Grihastha life and live in the jungle

Vanaprastha has following characteristics Ø  Neglecting personal gains, pleasures and desires Ø  Seeking a better world and welfare of the

community Ø  Developing selfless altruistic love for the

humanity Ø  Emphasis on spiritual aspects of life Ø  This person dedicates his or her time towards

social service and upliftment of people Ø  Entire world becomes his or her own family. This

understanding comes by realizing unity of the individual Self, the world around us and the Brahman

Under any circumstances, we shall not separate from each other due to the complexities faced in life in

following the path of Dharma (righteousness, moral values), Artha (prosperity, economic values), Kama (desires), and Mokṣha (liberation, spiritual values)

We are handing over all our rights and duties towards our daughter to you for

living a better life together

Yog = To join with the Brahman (the true Self)

Marriage = To join souls and minds of the husband and the wife. A state of pure,

unmixed and unconditional love

Ø  Kanyadaan is to the groom who represents Lord Vishnu and the bride is Goddess Laxmi

Ø  Kanyadaan is to enable the bride and the groom to work together for their own betterment

Ø  Kanyadaan is for development of both the bride and the groom Ø  In other words, Kanyadaan can help to achieve victory of the knowledge

over the ignorance

Ø  Sannyasashram can be attained in any stage of the life Ø  Sannyasi is not the only one who goes to Himalaya;

however he is the one who’s heart, thoughts, and actions are like Himalaya

Ø  Sanyasi works continuously for the welfare of the society and the nation

Ø  Sanyasi lives for liberation (Moksha), and not just for sensual pleasures

Ø  The one who attains this stage can be called as the one who has understood the meaning of life and hence the Brahman

Ø  Sanyasi has unconditional love and compassion for the entire world

I promise you to take care of her and holding her responsibility

forever

Ø  Wedding is a union of two different identities leading to oneness Ø  Wedding is a training to achieve unity and peace with the entire

humanity, Wedding is to develop pure love for everybody

If we observe our life what we find? We earn money, we eat, we drink, we sleep, we enjoy, we avoid suffering and acquire happiness. And one day, for sure, we will die. So,

what is the point after all?

Is there a hidden answer in the 4 Ashrams? Let’s find out.

Defining the Wedding

Saptapadi: Pledge for development of body, mind, intellect and the society

To nourish each others

To grow together in strength

To preserve the wealth

To share happiness and sorrow with each others

To care for the nation’s future generations

To be together forever

To be friends for the entire life

Kanyadaan: Giving away of the daughter

Who has made gift of the daughter and to whom? Love has reciprocated love. The one who is bestowing the daughter is love and

the recipient is also love.

Laja hom (sacrifice of puffed rice)

Subhashit describing an ideal Grihasthashram

Ø  Grihasthashram is filled with wealth and richness

Sit quietly and let the mind wander where it wants to go. Keep a strong faith that you are watching your mind

drifting in all random directions. The mind is not you. Now try connecting with God but not with any worldly thing or

relationship. After some time you will see that your mind is calming down like a serene lake. This will slow down the wandering of mind. Each day practice this and identify

yourself. With time your mind will be under your control.

Ø  The Spouse is not rude or ill speaking Ø  Friends are reliable and willing to help without any conditions Ø  Servants are obedient Ø  The Grihasthi is hospitable to guests and worships Lord Shiva every day Ø  Company of noble persons

We should realize that the ultimate goal of our life is to attain Moksha or Nirvana.

At the end, we should be One with God and realize Brahman through path of meditation, Bhakti and Karmayog.

Ø  Sannyasashram teaches us that at the end we have to remove our mind from worldly things (Samsara) and work towards achieving Moksha or Brahma-Nirvana