How the Vedic Way of Life Sets up Society and Yourself To Prosper

A new view on the caste system and life stages

The Vedic way of life has its roots in the Vedas.

The Vedas are 4 texts: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. They divinely were received by the Rishis. Rishis are seers or highly advanced saints.

The Veda aim to give you a way of life that allows you to know your true nature. The Vedas see society as being an integral part of your growth. As such knowledge is given on how best to live in a society.

Two pillars underpin a cohesive and high functioning society. This has been revealed and applied in India for thousands of years.

They are the stages of life and the caste system.

The stages of life include:

1. Brahmacharya Student

2. Grhastha Householder

3. Vanaprastha Forest dweller

4. Sanyasi renunciate (monk)

Castes are:

1. Shudra (laborers)

2. Kshatriya (rulers and warriors)

3. Vaishya (farmers, traders, and merchants)

4. Brahmana (priests and teachers)

This is why it's relevant for you to know

You can benefit from understanding the logic of the Vedic life stages and caste system.

The Vedas give you guidance on your role and duties within your society throughout your entire life. Factors given consideration are your age, innate talents and nature, are taken into account.

If you are confused with where you are in your life, take a step back and consider the following in relation to yourself. When you find your place, your life will unfold effortlessly.

Stages of life

The brahmacharya stage of life is from when you are born until 25 years old. At this stage, your focus is on the absorption of knowledge. You spend your time living with a teacher. By being near the teacher it maximizes your ability to absorb knowledge.

The 2nd stage of life is from 25 to 50 years old. This stage is called grhastha. This stage of life is characterized by marriage, procreation, career, and creating financial stability.

The 3rd stage of life is called vanaprastha. It is from the age 50 to 75 years of age. In this stage of life, you lead a life of ritual, prayer, and contemplation. You would live in a small house that is a short distance from your family home.

The final stage of life is that of the sanyasis or monk, from the ages 75 to 100 years old. In this stage, you sole and only focus to know what is your true nature. You have no affixed abode and can spend no more than 3 nights in one place (except during monsoon season.)

Caste system

Complimenting the various stages of life is the caste system. This consists of 4 separate and non-changing divisions of people in society, those being: Shudra, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Braham.

Your cast is determined by what caste your parent is. As you take on their same caste. Your caste determines what duties you perform and other things in life.

A Shuras caste is marked by the physical type of jobs such as a tradesperson, cleaner, gardener, etc.

The Kshatriya caste is the warrior caste. You look to defend and protect other members of society. Your genetic makeup is marked by being tall and strong.

The Vaishya caste is business people. They run and operate a business in the common marketplace. Your nature lends itself to being calculating and planning.

The final caste is Brahman, here you carry out the religious and personal development activities in society. By nature, you have a strong intellect, intuitive and contemplative.

The foundation of the caste system rests on predominate genetic tendencies and natural abilities. The genetic and innate inclinations predispose you to the activities and responsibilities that the caste is responsible for in society.

How life stages and castes fit together

During the Brahmacharya life stage, your teacher is from your caste. As they can teach you what is required to be learned to flourish for the rest of your life.

During the Grhastha stage of life, the duties and responsibilities that you carry out are determined by your caste. As such maximum opportunities can be gained as your natural tendencies are perfectly aligned with the jobs that are required for you to perform.

In the Vanaprastha you are carrying out those spiritual practices that are aligned with your caste. For example, Brahmans are more inclined to contemplation. Shudras would spend more time doing yoga asanas.

In the final stage of a sanyasi, you drop your caste. As your sole purpose is on your desire to know your true nature.

In current times

Over time there has been a degeneration in the caste system. Those in positions of power have abused their power for their gain. As such the caste system has been and currently is corrupted and given a bad name.

The caste system does exist in western society as well. But it goes unnamed. This can be seen by us having people confined to physical work such as cleaners and kitchen hands (Shudras caste), army and other armed services (Kshatriya caste), business owners (Vaishya caste), and priests (Brahman caste.)

Summary

Today you see young people being disillusioned and directionless. They may strive for things based on fads and trends. As opposed to what they are naturally talented towards. They can be impatient and want things immediately. As opposed to working for things other times, letting goals mature in their own time.

There are 4 stages in life and 4 castes that work interdependently. Your genetic dispose and natural tendencies gear you towards your caste. Your age is taken into account to determine what’s the appropriate action at the time.

As you can see this system is based on logical and common sense. What is required is you accept, to a degree, your lot in life and make the best with what you were given at birth.

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