Stages of Life
Q. Swami, of the four asramas [stages of life]: brahmacharya, grihasta, vaanaprastha, and sanyasa, which is basically important?
A. As all living things are dependent on the pranavayu (life-giving breath), so are all asramas dependent on the grihasta. It is he who provides food and drink to the rest and fosters them. He promotes the study of the Vedas; he guards the scriptures. So the grihasta-asrama is the most important. In the shrutis, the Narada Parivrajak-upanishad, and the Manu-dharmashastra [ancient scriptures], it is declared that a grihasta who strictly adheres to his asrama-dharma is worthy of the greatest respect.
Q. But Swami, some people say that the sanyasi is superior to the grihasta; how far is this correct?
A. Whatever be the asrama, if the person follows the dharma laid down for that stage and carries it out in practice and steadfastly yearns for Liberation, he can get it; there is no doubt. To win atma-jnana, one need not prefer this asrama to that; all are capable of securing it. There is no superior or inferior. It is only conduct and character that can be labelled as superior and inferior.
Q. Swami, They say that the grihasta-asrama binds while brahmacharya and sanyasa liberate. How did that opinion arise?
A. I will not agree with that. Why, he who earns money by lawful means, he who honors his guests, who serves and pleases his fellowmen, attains liberation along with those learned in the shastras and those who are well established in the fundamental philosophy of the spirit. No one can cross the ocean of birth and death because he is a sanyasi or brahmachari. High ancestry, attainments in asceticism, the status of a monk, profound scholarship, nothing will help by itself. There must also be the faithful and steady pursuit of swadharma, the study of the scriptures like the Vedas or Bhagavad-Gita, and a disciplined spiritual life of japam and dhyanam.
Q. Swami, What virtues should persons in each of these four asramas cultivate in order that they may be saved?
A. There are ten virtues that together comprise the basic dharma of the aspirants: daya [compassion], astheya [generosity], dhee [discrimination], vidya [education], satya [truth], indriya-nigraha [control of senses], soucha [purity], kshama [forgiveness], dhriti [steadfastness], and akrodha [angerlessness]; these ten all persons must cultivate, whatever their asrama may be. They are enough to save you, wherever you are. And if one has not acquired them, his life is a waste, whatever be his asrama. The daily routine of his life is the essential thing and it should reflect these ten qualities. It is this very thing that Lord Krishna told Arjuna, in reply to his question.
Source: Prashnaottara Vahini
