Observe the Best Tradition

Scriptures have so beautifully divided into phases the course of human life for saving the human being from painful situations that man can get the full joy of human life and yet not get any occasion for making his future dark for indifference to God or being burdened under His obligations. This arrangement is before us as the special activities in the first and second halves of life. Four phases of life are ordained in Hindu scriptures - these four phases are Brahmacharya-Ashram (student life with celibacy). Gruhastha- Ashram (life as a householder), Vanprasth- Ashram (or gradual detachment from physical world and doing social work) and Sannyas-Ashram (renunciation).Among the four phases, Brahmachary- Ashram and gruhasth-Ashram are meant for worldly achievement and enjoyment by developing your strength through people's co-operation. It is also mentioned in the scriptures to discharge one's obligations in these first two phases, but the second half of life is considered essential for discharge of obligation. Vanprasth-Ashram and Sannyas-Ashram are included in the second half. They are as useful and essential as learning, marriage and earning money in the first half.

It is seen that people despise those peoplt who cannot study, cannot get married or cannot earn money, as unsuccessful, but it is really surprising that those who are indifferent to their duty for the latter-half of life are not looked down upon. Actually such persons should be criticized just like criticism heaped upon a boy who shirks going to school or criticism on man for his vagrancy and not earning money. One who does not discharge his debt or obligation despite an opportunity, whose desire is to take loan and run away, such a person loses value in the eyes of others. Similarly a person, who, on attaining the age of 50 years, does not accept the duty of serving others, it is but proper if such people are declared as social-culprits and socially boycotted. Committees of castes and clans punish a person by out casting etc when he breaks a rule of their caste or clan. It would be much better if the householders - who with to wallow like worms in the mud of desires and passions - are also punished likewise. As soon as the eldest children become mature enough, family responsibilities should be gradually transferred to them. As soon as we feel confident about the eldest son's capacity to look after the family, then most available time should be employed in discharging societal debt. This itself is the purpose of the third phase of life, called Vanprasth-Ashram