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Ageing Gracefully In Indian Culture-Four Divisions
Misinterpretations of fundamental concepts and consequences thereof:
Hindu children attending English medium schools, were systematically fed with gross misinterpretations of fundamentals of Indian culture, "Vanprasth Ashram" was decried as useless and unsuitable for modem times. The word "Vanprasth" was interpreted to mean "going to forests after completing 50 years of life. Fourth stage elderlies "Sanyasis" were termed as lotus eaters.
Consequently, "Vanprasth" Ashram,which was a concept for ageing gracefully in the Indian culture, has vanished from the life of an average Indian and "Sanyas Ashram" has become frightening enough even to talk about.
The
word
"Varna" or
was
interpreted
as
Caste
System
based
on
births,
shown
to
have
its
main
aim
perpetuation
of
Brahmanical
superiority.
Indian
society,
which
was
integrated
socially
and
economically
for
thousands
of
years
before
British
rule,
divided
itself
between
Savama
class
and
Shoodra
class
fighting
with
each
other.
Specialization
recognized
as
essential
for
faster
growth
was
lost.
Inefficient
working
at
every
level
became
a
common
feature
of
Indian
society
leading
to
slavishness,
mismanagement,
mutual
hatred
and
consequently
neck
deep
poverty.
Correcting
the
time
tested
concepts:
Varna Dharma : It implies division of the entire human race into four categories according to natural tendencies and works in the world out side. No where it is related to birth as was made out. Lord Krishna had said -(Based on inherent tendencies and works the humanity was created by me in four classes).
This division is cosmopolitan and not related to Hindus or the Indian culture alone. The entire human race can thus be broadly classified according to natural tendencies and works in to four divisions :-
Thinker class, Ruler class,Trader class,Worker class
The aim of the four divisions (of humanity) is to ensure best utilization of ones capabilities. Scientific research has also shown that when one works as per his aptitude, he enjoys the work, his efficiency is at the highest level and his production will also be maximum. Thus to engage in activities according to Varna will be for the benefit of individuals constituting the society.
The aim of the above four divisions based on Ashram Dharma was for the benefit of the entire society. Every individual was required to live life according to his Varna Dharma and Ashram Dharma to ensure optimum progress of the individual and the society in general.
About the author
Shiv Swarup Agarwal
This article is written by Shiv Swarup Agarwal, Secretary General, Central Chimaya Vanprath Sansthan. It is an excerpt from “The Art of Graceful Ageing in Indian Culture'. This article deals about ageing gracefully and discusses about the misinterpretations of the Indian culture.
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