LIFE; AN ASHRAMA….

GOD FIRST, THE WORLD NEXT, YOURSELF LAST.
 ..............shAnti-mantra.

“saha nau avatu” – Let us be protected together( total surrender to the Supreme)
“saha nau bhunaktu” –Let us enjoy together.(Be engaged in works for Me, Have Me as your refuge and so on; then you shall reach Me.)
“mad-bhaktas-sanga-varjitaH; nirvairas-sarva-bhUteshhu …”(Be My devotee; Be clear of all attachments; Have no hate of any being.)
“saha vIryaM karavAvahai”. (Let us share our power together, Let us work together…Working one’s svadharma without any self-interest.)
“tejasvina-avadhItamastu”. (Let our experience be bright.)
Finally “mA vidvishAvahai” (Let us not hate.)
Shanti,shanti,shantihi (peace)
’Earn well. Enjoy heartily, all the good things of life…within the framework of Dharma (righteousness)’ .
..(Ancient Rishis (sages) i.e. the ashrama system.)

 Each individual is required to pass through four Ashramas, stages of life:
 • Brahmacharya, • Grahasthya, • Vanaprastha and • Sannyasa.
 -Acquiring knowledge both secular,spiritual and self-control are the primary objectives in Brahmacharya. -In Grahasthya, permission to earn and enjoy legitimate pleasures of life, following Dharma and practice Dana (giving gifts) to deserving persons.
 -Towards old age, the body still strong, retirement and spending in contemplation on God- Vanaprastha.
 Kalidasa calls them muni, observing silence. Talk less, hear more, render service as duty with a smile.
 -Sannyasa...Total abjuration of the desires of the flesh, striving for Moksha with single-mindeld devotion.

 *Why the Ashrama System ?
 Stages of life, is to achieve specific goal, prepare for the next...finally reach the state of self- realisation.
 The concept Purusharthas, is a unique contribution.
 Dharma, the source of origin for evolution of human values, Affluence (artha) and desires (Kama) provides basic support for worldly enjoyment and Moksha, self-realisation by getting rid of bondages.
 Modern life? all systems broken down, fears, frustration, lost direction, bondages...commitments etc... . So Then What? be self-dependent, take adequate care of health, mentally get prepared with wisdom in behaviour, approach and action....become aware of the purpose of life...liberation. Moksha (salvation) is the ultimate goal of life. Moksha is a state of desirelessness.
 ’What for?’ for ’divine harmony’, comprehending inner meaning towards bliss...our true nature.
 Today, a visible dearth of dedicated individuals willing to come forth, serve is quite a few , there is hardly any time left to repay the sacred debt.
 * Time is to be devoted to any social service..It encompasses a sense of joy, Peace...
 Let us strive to bring back the ancient Vedic understanding of the stages of life in its true essence.