Arunachala. अरुणाचल - 18.

~~~~Arunachala. अरुणाचल  -18. ~~~~


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THE ASHRAMS AND THE SOCIAL LIFE.


Devotee. - They speak of the four Ashrams (आश्रम)
prescribed vocations in life. What is their meaning ?
Maharshi. -To go by stages is a social rule intended
for the generality. But if one is a pakvi (पक्वी), a
well developed being, he need not mind this rule.
Young or old, man or woman, Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) or
outcast, if one is paripakvi (परिपक्वी), fully ripe, he
or she can and does go straight to the goal, without
minding the stages.
Devotee. - Then, Ashrams (आश्रम ) have no use for 
the spiritual life.
Maharshi. -The first three Ashramas are there for the
conduct of worldly affairs in life (गतये लोककार्याणां)
and are regulated in such a way as not to clash with
the ideal of spiritual knowledge (न ज्ञान-प्रतिकूलता) .
Devotee. - What about the fourth ?
Maharshi. - Oh ! Sanyasa (संन्यास) does not lie in
taking to the begging bowl, or having a clean bald-
headed shave, or putting on an orange-coloured robe.
(न काषायो न मुन्डनं ) .
When the Brahmacharin (ब्रह्मचारी), -the student, with
his purity exalted by celibacy, becomes by detachment
an ideal householder for the service of others, or of
society, the Light naturally flashes forth.
Then for the purpose of Tapas, for concentrated effort,
the third Ashrama 'Vanaprastha' (वानप्रस्थ-आश्रम) is
intended. When by ardent tapas, the tapaswin (तपस्वी) 
becomes crystal-pure and fit, the fourth Ashrama comes
automatically. As I said, it is not an external thing that one
assumes.

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Continued.................