A LIFE PLAN!!

We all know that ancient rishis followed a “four ashram” system consisting of

1. Brahmacharya

The schooling time. The students should observe celibacy and normally stay away from home. This ensures that their concentration is pointed only towards studies. As they stay with their guru (teacher) at his ashram (house),they will get training in normal household chores like cleaning,cooking,washing etc along with academic studies.

2. Garhasthya

After studies the people will get married,enter in to some sort of job and will look after their family and bring up their children.

3. Vanaprastha

When the children complete their “brahmacharya” and enter “garhasthya” ,the parents will enter the “vanaprastha” stage. The parents will transfer all the ancestral fortune to the children,will built a simple hermit at some forest side and will take up the position of “guru”. They will help youngsters(not only their grandchildren but anyone who come to them seeking knowledge) and teach them (about things they mastered in their “garhasthya” period, for eg.,if they have done business they can teach aspirants about the various things they learned and used in that branch) in their “brahmacharya” stage.

4. Sannyasa

Now they have successfully completed their duties and its now time for “self introspection” .They will sort out a “maharishi” ,accept “sannyas” from him and become a monk. Then they will learn more about life,meaning of life and prepare themselves for that “higher state of living” (known otherwise as death).


We can see that this plan is ideal for the body and mind condition of the various age groups (brahmacharya for children and teenagers, garhasthya for youth ,vanaprastha for middle aged and sannyasa for old).

Now,it is obvious that in this modern era,its difficult for us to follow such a plan. But why cant we think of using a modified version? A humble suggestion from my side.

Age 0-4 :

Make our parents happy by walking,playing and being easily manageable. Wat else?

Age 4-25 :

Study time. Concentrate only on studies. No affairs,marriage or even job. If possible it is good idea to be away from home so that we will learn to be self sufficient and can escape from “spoon feeding”.

Age 26-50 :

Yes. Now we are mature enough to enter into relations. We can marry,have children and also take up job. Also give happiness to parents in form of car,understanding and love. Also take good care of body and retain it fit or else you wont be able to enter to the next stage and enjoy it completely.

Age 51-75 :

Tired of job? Now make sure that children are able to look after themselves and its time for us to get away from all tensions. Quit the job, renounce all luxuries and leave away all to our children. What about some free service? Write some books if you think the experiences you had can help others. What about conducting free tuition classes (since you had studied till 25 you must have enough knowledge to help youngsters, right?)? What about going on tours (that’s why I emphasised on health care during 25-50 period)? This is the period for us to fulfill all our wishes that we had to forget because “we don’t have leave”,”children have classes” ,”parents are not well”,”no time” etc., during our youth.

Age 76-100:

Now our age is calling up on us. Its risky to go for tours or even going out without others with us.So better stay indoors so that we are not causing trouble to others. Mind fixed in god,think only about god. If u can,get a very small house without any luxury at some country side and live life. Enjoy the greenery,fresh air,do mild exercises so that you don’t need assistance for yourself. Mind is at peace and you will be extremely happy as you have done all that u have to do. No tensions ,no worries…just waiting to enter that “higher state of living”.

howzaaat??? enjoy life!! :)

stages of life-a comparison

All of us talk very eloquently about the different stages of life. The duties,the responsibilities and also the purpose of the different stages of life. Some people say that childhood is the most beautiful and preferable stage of life since it is devoid of responsibilities and the mind is very Innocent. Some say that teenage is the best phase and many say that adulthood is the best stage. Well,but never I have heard someone say that old age is the best. I know not why but majority don’t like this stage of life and they wish they haven't entered it…. Result-hair dye makers and beauticians are able to overcome recessions of any degree. Now.,here lets have a look at the different stages of life. We all know that comparisons always help us to understand more about facts. So here lets compare various stages of life with the various stages of a MANGO!!


(1) Green tender mango and our childhood:-

Green,tender mango:

Very sour flesh,soft easily destroyable nut.

Childhood:

Strong ego,highly emotional. Cannot withstand even the slightest irritation\hurt. Very immature heart.


(2) half ripe mango and our teenage:-

Half ripe mango:

A sweet-sour taste which is appreciated by many.
The nut is yet not ripe enough to have productivity.

Teenage:

Do I need to say about it? Body gets matured but a highly immature mind inside. So do we need explanation for the PROBLEMS FACED BY TEENAGERS?


(3) Ripe mango and our adulthood:-

Ripe mango:

Very sweet taste. Nut is ripe somewhat but yet lack completeness.

Adulthood:

At this stage we become more mature. we know to adjust with our children,make adjustments with the spouse and also the tough management of family! But yet not fully mature since we secretly worry about our social status,appearance,health and also the fastly approaching old age.


(4) overripe mango and our old age:-

Overripe mango:

Cannot be eaten. The overripe mango has awkward taste. But the nut inside is completely grown. When planted it can give rise to a very good mango tree.

Old age:

The body is good for nothing. But mind is extremely strong. It is charged with the wisdom it acquired in the journey of life. Now it knows it need nothing and that social status or appearance or anything is going to help it from the sure death which is approaching. Naturally it turns to god. Its senses may fail but yet it can understand the language of heart. And it has that spectacular mind power to redirect the youngsters. The wisdom to say them which is right and which is wrong.


So isn't it high time that we should understand what is knowledge and what is wisdom? We neglect old people or take them lightly with a comment “what the know about this modern systems” and such “blah blahs”.. BUT REMEMBER…WISDOM is different from KNOWLEDGE.We have to learn much from them. Now is it a bad thing to be old? Being able and qualified to lead others with authority? Is physical strength the only thing that matters? Think yaar…..