THE FOUR-STAGE ROADMAP
[Important note: In this post, the notation ‘H/SD’ is used as shorthand for ‘Hinduism/Sanatan Dharma‘, which are the two commonly used references to the vast ancient spiritual heritage of India.]
In print or electronic media, we often see language such as: ‘According to the concepts of H/SD, the four stages of human life are Brahmacharya, Gruhastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa.’
Such language carries a risk of erroneous understanding. ‘H/SD’ does not coerce or urge a person to behave in a certain way, or to plan his life in prescribed stages. It is entirely up to the individual – through his wisdom, or lack thereof – to understand and cherish human life the best he can. Truths do guide the individual – but only to the extent he finds and assimilates them.
Ill-educated – and possibly also ill-intentioned – people misinterpret the universal world-view of ‘H/SD’ in the mould of the Abrahamic religions, implying that ‘H/SD’ lays down the law in all things spiritual or material. In this way, drawing parallels where none are possible, such people spread crude misinformation and calumny about the ancient spiritual heritage of India.
The sages – rishis – of ancient India lived millennia before any ‘-ism’ of the world was developed. They thought and meditated deeply about the nature of life, and human life in particular; and then they articulated their superb discoveries in precise and succinct language.
What these sages brought out thereby was no less than the liberating truth of human life. In that sense, that truth was – and remains – infinitely valuable. All of mankind would be grateful for this great gift of our sages, if only they could understand its profound beauty and liberating power.
Only individuals who have witnessed in their lives the truth of the sages’ wisdom can understand the spirit of ‘H/SD’. Salient features of ‘H/SD’ cannot be taught in a college course, or debated in a student club. Validation of the wisdom requires individual effort; but the mere recitation of the salient features or concepts of ‘H/SD’ has no value; it signifies nothing.
With that necessary background, let us examine ‘the four stages of human life’.
When Indian sages speak of the four stages of human life, they draw our attention to the real psychological growth – the growth of heart and mind – that a healthy human being undergoes from birth onwards. That description is based on profoundly deep understanding of the reality of human life.
The first period of life is that of necessary learning and nurture. Then comes the period of taking up and fulfilling worldly responsibilities. By the time a person is – more or less – done with worldly responsibilities, the next generation is ready and eager to prove its mettle. So what does the parent do? The answer is not hard to find. The wise parent withdraws gracefully from worldly matters, gradually passing responsibilities to the younger lot.
What happens even further down the line?
A person’s mind turns contemplative, meditative, reflective. What was all that about? What does one still lack in life? What is it that still needs to be ‘acquired’, at this late stage, in the waning years of one’s life? One has seen all there is to see, and done all there is to do. Now what remains?
Questions arise, but – alas! – the required vigour is sometimes waning.
The sages have observed: There is no greater attainment than peace of mind. The four stages of life are therefore simply the markers in the journey towards this attainment. The attainment stands out as life’s supreme objective.
The four stages make up no more than a description of a human life lived optimally. It is a description, but not a prescription. It is a model to follow – but only if a person freely chooses to follow it, through all of life’s inevitable ups and downs. The mind and the sages’ words must resonate. The sages’ words are not ‘the law’; rather, the words throw light on reality, on a person’s path. To the extent that a person sees that light of truth, he will freely follow it.
‘Dharma’ does not mean ‘the law’; it means ‘essential nature’. Sages – individuals with exceptional clarity, purity and intelligence – have made it possible for an individual to understand the ‘dharma‘ of his own life. Because ‘H/SD’ thus relies on individual understanding and responsibility, this world-view is less likely to create inner conflict.
To summarize, the stages are: Learning/nurture, worldly responsibilities, withdrawal, and reflection. These stages make superb psychological sense; they guide and facilitate individual growth. A person thereby avoids stagnation, frustration, family strife, acrimony … et cetera – and attains peace.
Abrahamic religions seem to involve some concepts which are alien to traditional Indian wisdom. Phrases such as ‘original sin’ and ‘burn in hell’ have no place in the universal world view of the ancient Indian sages. A central value of ‘H/SD’ is the significance of one’s inner voice. One must reflect upon that voice until it is pure, clear, true. That is the voice of ‘God’. It is best to follow it calmly and steadily.
[The previous post (here) outlines in brief the typical behaviour we see in those who harbour untruth – that is, guilt – within themselves.]
So where do the four stages take us?
Human life is a long and difficult journey. No two individuals follow identical trajectories through life. The four broad stages provide a road-map – and, also as suggested above, a destination. The purified inner voice is one’s true guide to negotiate the stages. There is no greater attainment than peace of mind; not even the much-dreaded word ‘death’ disturbs that peace of mind.
It requires effort to study a specific individual’s life within the general framework of the four stages of life. Fortunately, in the age of the internet, excellent documentaries are available on the lives of eminent individuals. In our next post, we shall take a look at the life and career of a highly acclaimed former UK politician. We shall attempt to delineate, in broad brush, how that person’s life measures up against the four stages of individual growth.
seeker-of-root-causes 
Nice Analogy Jayaram. For them to understand they have to read our Puranas and imbibe their essence. Which I doubt will happen soon. But there is realisation among the enlightened that this behaviour is going to get back at them in future.
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In this context one can notice there is suddenly a lot of interest among people from the Abrahamic faith to take a look at the H/SD way of life to understand better. This also reflects some dissatisfaction with their own way of life and seeking to look for alternatives. This reminds me of a TV broadcast I happen to listen in Melbourne in 2006 when I was there on a professional visit. This was a discussion on post middle age crisis among Australian men. The speaker was saying to my surprise that most Australians grow up with a strong beluef in a macho outlook on life and enjoying worldly pleasures were important. As they grow old they get into problems if continuing with those ways while they would like t project the same youthful macho behaviour in old age. When that becomes difficult they get into depression. One of the reason the spraker cited for this is that they dod not develop any understanding of spirituality required inherently to grow in life as te same was not emphasised in their way of life which is based on Abrahamic. This element of spirituality is essential to creat that immersion of once energy with the Universal Energy that Daya mentions. Good discussion.
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Naresh
A medium of exchange, often referred to as money, is known as currency. In contrast, the currency of the universe is energy.
I’m going to propose a position that integrates spirituality, metaphysics, and cosmology with the idea of energy as the universe’s underlying currency. This viewpoint implies that various traditions, such as those covered in the stages of human development you mentioned (Brahmacharya, Gruhastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa), as well as “H/SD” practices, are centered on understanding and harnessing this energy for personal and spiritual growth.
In this theory, the cosmos functions as an intricate energy network, with individuals serving as energy converters and receiving serenity, spiritual prosperity, and, eventually, Moksha (liberation) for their involvement in this cosmic exchange. The rituals, mantras, temples, and vibrations specified by the “H/SD” are viewed as methods for efficiently connecting with this energetic system.
I contrast this viewpoint with Abrahamic religions, which I believe place a greater emphasis on material goods and do not regard energy as a currency. Instead, they might value acquiring wealth and worldly items, often using violent methods like looting, conversion, or destruction.
“H/SD” has the oldest texts based on science and logic, as well as numerous observations about its surroundings. It is crucial to note that these interpretations reflect certain ideas and beliefs, and different people and traditions may have different perspectives on the concepts offered. Furthermore, perceptions of religious and spiritual practices might vary greatly amongst practitioners and experts.
Sanatan Dharma reveres, embraces, and supports all individuals as interconnected entities within the vast tapestry of life on Earth, recognizing them as conduits for the distribution of energy throughout the cosmos.
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I agree. So-called Abrahamic and “western” world-views are relatively coarse, lacking the beauty and fine subtlety of H/SD world-views. Many leaders with incredibly coarse world-views are today wielding the heavy weapons of destruction all over the world.
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To keep our civilization safe, I also believe that those who start wars are mostly from Abrahamic religions. However, it’s important to note that Hinduism and other Eastern religions do not support these actions. Peace will only happen if these religions stop pursuing economic benefits through conflict.
In old Hindu stories like the Puranas and Itihasas, Devas are seen as good beings, while Asuras are seen as bad ones. Nowadays, we can see people acting like Asuras in our society. Even though they might seem civilized and educated, their actions are still like those of Asuras. People who follow Abrahamic religions often show traits similar to Asuras. In the past, these Asuras lived separately from Devas, usually in places like forests or mountains. They had power, but they used it for bad things that harmed others and society. Abrahamic religions are often criticized for things like stealing, killing, converting people forcefully, and destroying good things. Some say that the wars led by Western countries in the 21st century are just another way these Asuras try to control others or the world.
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