ASHRAMA SYSTEM

The literal meaning of word Ashrama is “a halting or resting place”. Hence, Ashrama signifies a halt or rest in
the journey of one’s life to prepare him or her for further journey. Life is influenced by four factors, the place of
work where a man lives, the time in which he lives, the effort which he makes and his natural trait. Ashram
System deals with problems of life.
The word Ashrama is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Srama’ which means to exert oneself. Hence, Ashrama
stands to mean:
(1) The place where exertions are performed
(2) The action of performing such exertions is initiated.
Life is divided into four stages- B, G, V and S. Every stage has its own duties and functions.
Ashrams system is a way of training through which the individual is to attain his end. i.e. Moksha.
1) Brahmacharya Ashrama: A boy enters this Ashrama through the performance of Upanayana (Sacred
Thread) ceremony. Through this initiation rite, a person is said to be reborn (Dwija). The age of initiation:
 Brahmin- 8 to 12
 Kshatriya- 11 to 14
 Vaishya- 12 to 16
 Sudra- Not allowed as he was traditionally not allowed to have education.
Education begins at teacher’s residence (Gurukula). Learn the Vedas containing traditions of the Aryans.
Speech and Thought must be pure and guarded by the studies of the Vedas. Strict discipline and a hard life.
Restrain his senses. Control over senses means control over sex desires. Complete celibacy. In this manner, the
life of brahmachari is a life of discipline.
This Ashram is completed at the age of 25 years. The duties of studentship include the life of celibacy
(Brahmacharya) (Allowing divine will to manifest in our body, increasing the capacities to hold these will,
expelling the obstructions to hold this will), service to the teacher and study of Vedic lore.
2) Grihastha Ashrama: The life of a householder. It starts with a marriage ceremony. Marriage is more a
social obligation as its main purpose is the performance of Dharma and the perpetuation of family as well.
The Dharma of a householder consists of performing the five Maha Jajnas or the five great sacrifices.
These Maha Jajnas are offered to Brahma.
 Brahma Jajna- Recitation of the Vedic Mantras.
 Pitri Jajna- Offering Tarpan (water and food) commonly known as Sradha.
 Deva Jajna- Offering burning obligations to the Gods.
 Bhutas Jajna- Satisfied by sacrifice.
 Nara Jajna- Receiving and entering guests at home.
Apart from this, a householder is also supposed to offer food to animals and saints. People belonging to the
other three Ashramas depend upon the Grihastha and it is the duty of householder to satisfy birds, animals and
insects and persons belonging to all the social rungs.
This Ashram is mainly meant for the satisfaction of man’s material and emotional urges, i.e., ‘Artha’ and
‘Kama’. The age at which a person enters into this Ashrama is about 25 years.
3) Vanaprashta Ashrama: An individual is expected to enter this stage at the age of 50. A person has to leave
his family and the village too. He is expected to hand over all the household responsibilities to his grown up
children and he must go to the forest.
The person must live in forest to bring under control his senses of enjoyment (Niyatendriyah). Eat only fruits
and vegetables and should not touch meat. Clothes of deer skin or the bark of tree. Practice ‘Tapas’ (penance)
to purify the body and soul. Devote oneself to study and meditation.
A Vanaprasthi must lead a life of self-control and friendliness and charity to others. If a person dies during
Vanaprastha Ashrama he will attain Moksha.
Although a Vanaprasthi used to live in the forest and his wife was allowed to live with him, it was for the sake
of humanity that they lived together. The presence of the wife is permitted to facilitate the performance of
social duties. The affiliations and associations of the householder come to an end.
4) Sanyasa Ashrams: A the age of 75 years. Person breaks off all attachment with the world. Devote the entire
time towards meditation to recognize subtle nature of the supreme soul. Wait for the appointed time to come,
desiring the bliss of final liberation.
VARNA SYSTEM
Varna organisation refers to the work that an individual would undertake in society according to his position in
relation to a group and with reference to his innate nature and his tendencies. This system is mentioned in
Purusukta. There was nothing like lower or higher varna in the Vedic period. The division of society in four
varnas—Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra was based on the division of labour.
According to one view, varna means colour and, therefore, perhaps the division of society was based on fair
and dark colours respectively.
The first three groups i.e., Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya are ‘twice-born’ as the men from these groups are
entitled to undergo sacred thread at the Vedic rite of Upanayan, while the Sudras are deprived of it. The fourth
division i.e., the untouchables are outside the varna scheme.
‘Varna’ is derived from Sanskrit root ‘Vri’. ‘Vri’ literally denoting colour. Varna has also been used for choice
of occupation.
 Brahmins- Priest (Atharva), White, Mouth, They provide education and spiritual leadership. They
determine the vision and values of any society. They teach Vedas and perform religious ceremonies.
Brahmasama (Meditating on Brahma), Devasama (Pure character like a god), Mariyada (Followed all
the rules), Sambhinna-Mariyada (didn’t follow all the rules) and Brahma-Chandalas (Performed
Chandala’s functions).
 Kshatryia- Warrior (Rathaestha), Red, Arms, They are the protectors of society. Though permitted a
number of privileges, they are expected to display considerable strength of body and character. They
never refuse a challenge and take responsibility. They are the ruling class people.
 Vaishya- Head of the family (Vastrya-fsuyat), Yellow, Thighs, They protect the animals, create wealth,
trade ethically, pay taxes.
  Sudra- Manual Worker (Huiti), Black, Feet, Allowed to accept another’s employment; other varnas are
occupationally and financially self-sufficient. They render services, follow moral principles and also
remain loyal.
First three are called Dvijatis. The untouchables are not covered within the four-fold division of the Varna
scheme. So they are called ‘avarnas’ or ‘panchamas’. Vedic literature contains the descriptions of
‘Ayogava’, ‘Chandala’, ‘Nishada’ and ‘Paulkasa’, who are not covered within the varna scheme and who
seem to be despised. It appears to be more reasonable to hold that ‘Chandala’ and ‘Paulkasa’ were the
sections of the aborigins who were particularly despised by the Aryans due to some reasons. It becomes
apparently clear that the Nishadas had, towards the later part of the Vedic period, became quite acceptable
to the Aryans. Aryans came from Mongolia and Persia and Dasas were the inhabitants of the sub-continent.
PURUSHARTHA
Purushartha means “Purusharthate Purushartha”, which are the efforts made by the individual to achieve the
aims, goals and ultimate values of life. The ultimate end of Hindu culture is to attain ‘Moksha’ or salvation and
hence, man should behave in such a manner that this aim may be achieved. By Purushartha, we mean the
pursuance of those actions which lead to the fulfilment of socially approved values and goal. There are 4
Purusharthas or aims of life:
 Dharma: The word Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘dhri’ which means to hold together or to
preserve. This principle maintains the stability of the society. It protects all. It is capable of preserving
the universe. It is for the welfare of mankind. It protects and preserves all human beings. Hence, Hindu
view of Dharma is that it is the force of power which protects man from all kinds of dangers. It includes
the righteous duties one has to perform for the survival.
 Artha: It means the economic and the material aspects of life. of religious duties. It refers to all the
means necessary for acquiring worldly prosperity such as wealth or power.A man has to maintain a
household and perform the Dharma as a householder. Hence, Artha is necessary for the maintenance of
life and Dharma.
 Kama: It refers to all the desires in man for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the senses including sex
and the drives to which man is prone to. It refers to the basic impulses and desires of a man. It is
necessary to allow the satisfaction of sex for the healthy development of personality. The theory
Purushartha does not prohibit physical pleasure. On the contrary, Kama is prescribed for the
development of inner and outer life of man.
 Moksha: The ultimate end of life is to attain Moksha. When a person performs the above mentioned
three Purusharthas he can think of salvation. Moksha is the end in itself.
VILLAGE COMMUNITY

 Bases of social organization

 Group of people
 Definite locality
 Small size
 Importance of neighbourhood
  Community sentiment
 Joint family system
 Marriage
 Agricultural economy
 Caste System (determines the role, status, occupation and marital relationships of the ruralites)
 Jajmani system (members of a caste offer their services to the members of other castes- Jajmans and
Kamin)
 Simple life (Materialistic age, simple life)
 Panchayat (law & order, maintenance, construction)
 Homogeneity
 Status differentiation in village- Religion and caste, Landownership, Wealth, Position in govt. service,
age, personality traits.
 Village system lead to the concepts like Sanskritization, dominant caste, harmonic and disharmonic
systems.
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
It is a particular form of social inequality. It refers to institutionalized inequalities in power, wealth and status
between persons from same social system. Stratification is a process of interaction or differentiation whereby
some people come to rank higher than others. Social stratification means division of society into different strata
or layers. It involves a hierarchy of social groups. Members of a particular layer have a common identity.
Stratification is universal, social, ancient and dynamic in nature. They have a similar life style.
Social stratification involves two phenomena:
(i) differentiation of individuals or groups on the basis of possession of certain characteristics whereby some
individuals or groups come to rank higher than others
(ii) the ranking of individuals according to some basis of evaluation.
Stratification encourages hard work, stabilizes and reinforces the attitude and skills and helps in social control.
CASTE SYSTEM
A caste system is a class structure that is determined by birth. In India, there are 4 castes- Brahman, Kshatriya,
Vaishya, Shudra. It believed that more contact with the manual work or polluting substance led to a lower
status. It involves endogamy.
Functions:
1) Functions of caste in the individual’s life-
 Determination of Social Status (Through Birth)
 Provides Mental Security (Sorted life- Knows about occupation and marriage)
 Selection of Occupation (From the birth, knows the type of occupation to be followed, training given)
 Selection of Life Partners (Rules of endogamy, marry within his own caste or sub-caste)
 Control over Behaviour (Every caste has own rules and codes of conduct, guides social behaviour)
 Social recognition and Socialization
2) Functions of Caste System in the Community Life-
  Maintenance of the Purity of Blood (Same caste marriage)
 Maintenance of Religious Ideas (Keeping intact the ideas of religion)
 Social Status in Society (definite status in the caste hierarchy)
 Safeguard Culture (every caste has its own style of life)
3) Functions of Caste System in the Social Life-
 Integrity of the society (Within one caste)
 System of Division of Labour
 Promotes economic development (Handicraft gains international recognition)
Dysfunctions:
 Social Obstacles (Decreases interaction between two different castes)
 Slow Social Change (Rigid rules and regulations, maintain the principle)
 Hinders economic progress (Unequal distribution of Wealth, low income jobs for low caste)
 Social Dis-organisation (Caste conflict, tension and rivalry)
 Untouchability, low status of women (Denies education, sati pratha, child marriage, no widow marriage)
CLASS SYSTEM
It refers to a group of persons having a definite status in society which permanently determines their relation to
other groups. Class refers to a group of people performing the same function in the organization of production.
It is based on occupation, economic position, wealth, education, age and sex. These are de facto groups. They
have an Open System i.e. transition from one class to another is allowed. Feeling of superiority & inferiority,
Status, prestige & role is attached. There are three classes: Clergy (Religious duties, churchmen), Nobility
(King, ruler), Commoners (Common people who do all the other work).
ESTATE SYSTEM
It is a form of social hierarchy in which a peasant or serf must work a piece of land owned by the noble class. In
return, a noble would provide protection or any other agreed service. The estate system is also known as
feudalism.
RACE
The term race or racial group refers to dividing the human species according to physical characteristics that
are inherited. The most widely used human racial types are those based on visual traits. Races are Caucasoid
(White people), Mongoloid (Asian People), Australoid (Australian, also includes Negroid-Black People).
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Affirmative action describes policies that support members of a disadvantaged group that has previously
suffered discrimination in such areas as education, employment, or housing.
UPANISHADS: They ponder over the ultimate reality and the ways of realizing the ultimate truth.
GITA: Philosophy of Hinduism
BRAHMA SUTRAS: Set of aphorisms related to the nature of god.
MODERNIZATION: A change in which science and technology are used to achieve a better and more
satisfactory life. There is a shift from holistic and religion based life to materialistic and radical life. Protective
discrimination of women and children, affirmative actions and Article 48 (DPSP) of Indian constitution
(Animal Husbandry and agriculture) reflects efforts of Indian society towards Modernization. 48A promotes
environment. 51A reflects duty to develop scientific temper.
GUNAS: Sattva- Noble thoughts, truth and wisdom.
Rajas- High-living, luxury, passion and pride.
Tapas- Coarseness, rudeness and dullness.
Sanskritization is a particular form of social change found in India. It denotes the process by which caste or
tribes placed lower in the caste hierarchy seek upward mobility by emulating the rituals and practices of the
upper or dominant castes.
Social Exclusion is the exclusion from the prevailing social system and its rights and privileges. It defines
boundaries between groups and regulate their interactions.