varNASramas in Hinduism - RE: Why join monastry?

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Dear Friends,

 

Sanyas is a well defined system in our Hinduism. It is not just

" leave-home-and-go-some-where-else " . Since we are on the topic, allow me to

share what I learned about the term " sanyas " in its true meaning and where

does it fit in our Hindu way of life.

 

" samyak-nyAsa " is " sanyAsa " . " nyAs " means " leaving " . Total renounciation is

" sanyasa " . According to Bhagawad Gita " A person who dries out even the

desire to desire is a sanyasi, but not the person who merely stops

performing the obligatory duties " . Everybody is obligated to perform their

duties.

 

kurvannEvEha karmANi jijeevishEt satagaM samAH

EvaM tvayi nAnyadhEtOsti na karma lipyatE narE || - eeSAvASyOpanishad

 

One should desire to work and live for 100 years. As long as one doesn't

understand what is duty (karma) in its essence, one should continue working.

There is no other go (nA anyadhA asti...).

 

sanyAsastu mAhA bAhO dukha mAptu mayOgataH

yOga yuktO munir brahma nacirENAdhi gaccati ||Bhagawad Gita 5-6||

 

One should renounce only after getting proper understanding about worldly

duties. Renounciation with out understanding is very difficult. The karma

yOgies are swiftly attaining liberation because of the renounciation with

proper understanding.

 

anASritaH karma phalaM kAryaM karma karOtiyaH

sa sanyAseeca yOgeeca na niragnir nacA kriyaH || Bhagawad Gita. 6-1

 

He who performs his duty with out looking forward for the result is the true

renouncer. But definitely not the one who merely leaves performing the

obligated duties. (just because of lethargy :-))

 

Our veda consists of four parts (1) mantra (2) brAhmaNa (3) aaraNyaka (4)

upanishad. Studying these four, in the olden days, has been integrated in

to the Hindu way of life. In our Hindu way of life, sanyAsa is the fourth

stage. One has to walk through the first three stages before entering in to

the fourth (sanyasa).Though there is an exception for people with born

desire for liberation (moksha), everyone is supposed to walk through the 4

ashramas of life. i.e.

(1) brahmacaryASrama = To be a student of veda

(2) gRhastASrama = To be a householder after getting married

(3) vAnaprasthASrama = Leave the household duties and keep advising when

necessary

(4) sanyASASrama = Total renounciation

 

varNASramas:

 

1. brahmacaryASrama : (Learning the mantra [hymns] of veda)

=============================================

 

When a boy becomes 8 years old, he is initiated in to the upanayana diksha

(sacred thread ceremony) by his father. Then the boy has to take a vow of

brahmacharya. He is supposed to beg and live. He has to leave the home at

once, immediately after getting the upanayana initiation, and go along with

his teacher (aacharya). " The acharya accepts the boy as his pupil and

teaches him the veda, especially emphasize is given to the " MANTRA BHAGA " .

All sacred hymns are taught to the pupil.

 

He finishes his studies by the age of 21. He is supposed to marry and

become a gruhasta (a family man). After taking the good advise (refer:

tattiriyOpanishad) of the teacher, the pupil becomes a gRhasta.

 

(2) gRuhahastASrama : (Applying the veda in daily life - brAhamaNa)

==================================================

Man becomes a gRhasta (a family man / he who stays at home) after the age of

21. Then onwards, he is supposed to practice the application part of the

vedas " BRAHMANAS " and study them.

 

He becomes obligated to the well being of the society. He is obligated for

the well being of his wife, parents, children and his friends. He should

not betray the king. He should not betray the sages. He should not betray

his own land. He should not betray the sacred teachings. Finally, he should

*support* the brahmachAris, vAnaprasthAs, sanyAsis (i.e. people in the other

3 stages of life) by offering them food, shelter and money where necessary.

 

That is why " gRhasta " is said to be the main pillar of the society. The

entire Hindu social system revolves around the support and well being of the

" gRhasta " .

 

3. vAnaprasthaM -> aaraNyaka bhAga

============================

After watching the ceremony of " upanayana " of his first grand child, the man

has to leave his home. He should stop working and leave the household

responsibilities to his son. He should stop worrying about surviving the

family. He should construct a shelter at the vicinity of the village where

his children are living. He should keep studying the " AARANYAKA BHAGA "

(a+raNa = no fight) of the veda.

 

He should be available at the reach of his son. That is why, he should live

at the vicinity of the village. When in need, his Son can approach him for

advise. He should keep participating in the family functions and re-union.

 

4. sanyAsaMu -> upanishad bhAga

==========================

 

After attending the upanayana function of his great-grand-son, the man

should leave his " vAnaprastha Ashrama " and take " sanyAsa " . His Son, who is

a gRastha so far, will take the " vAnaprasthASrama " .

 

Sanyasi should start contemplating on the " UPANISHAD Bhaga " of veda, where

the highest truth is explained. He should not beg, but should keep

accepting what ever is offered. He should never stay at a single place for

more than 3 days. He should never eat from a single household for more than

3 times. He should keep remembering (nidhidyAsa) the " sOhaM " , the sacred

Swan. He is not obligated to his wife, to his children. He should not

think of his king, his land. For he is a renouncer and he should renounce

the thought of every thing.

 

The above four are the stages that one should undergo. Alas, the time has

changed. Now a days, even the great-grand-father stays with his family and

tries to control them. gRahastas have stopped looking after the old-people

(vanaprasthas, sanyasis). The term " donation " has become another tax-saving

method. Every thing has lost its value.

 

Let me remind you our great epic - mahAbharata. In mahabharata everybody

undergoes these four stages of life. Also, dhRtarAstha undergoes all these

four stages. If you remember -- dhRatarAshTra, along with gAndhari and

vidura, renounces the world and starts wandering in the forests. Then

somebody gives the sad news of their demise to Dharmaraja.

 

Questions / comments / corrections - most welcome.

 

Hari Om! tat sat.

 

praNAms,

mAdhava

 

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