The Stages of Life
The first stage that India marks is that of the student, the second stage which begins with marriage, is house-holder. At some point in this stage the appeal of success pleasure and duty usually begin to wean. The third stage is retirement, after a grandchild at which point a man can "withdraw from social obligations that were thus far shouldered with will" (Smith 53). This is a time of contemplation and spiritual discovery, beyond retirement is sannyasin. At this stage the person no longer wants to return to society, they are a wild goose, after having reached their conclusions, they have no desire to return to the materialistic world in which they came. They might have decided, "Behold the universe in the glory of God: and all that lives and moves on earth.Leaving the transient, find joy in the Eternal: set not your heart on another' possessions" (Novak 9).
The Station of Life
The caste system: seers, administrators, producers, and followers.
In this system the higher the person, the more the responsibility, the laws depended on social status. India still suffers the burden of this long since accepted system and is still working its way to equality.
In the upanishads, this is how they rationalized the system:
"The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya (Kshatiyas) made.
The thighs became the Vaisha, from the feet the shudra was produced"
(Novak 8)
- Brahmins: the intellectuals, spiritual leaders, artists, philosophers, and teachers
- Kshatriyas: administrators who can "orchestrate people and projects" (Smith 56)
- Vaishyas: producers, merchants, farmers, skill in creating material things
- Shudras: followers, servants, and unskilled men and women who would rather follow than be on their own
In this system the higher the person, the more the responsibility, the laws depended on social status. India still suffers the burden of this long since accepted system and is still working its way to equality.
In the upanishads, this is how they rationalized the system:
"The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya (Kshatiyas) made.
The thighs became the Vaisha, from the feet the shudra was produced"
(Novak 8)