Question

There are how many Ashrams in Hindu society?

• A. Four
• B. Five
• C. Three
• D. Two

Hint:

Remember the four Purusharthas (goals of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) and the four Ashramas (stages of life: Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa) as foundational concepts of Hindu social philosophy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question refers to the traditional Hindu concept of Ashramas, which represents the stages of life through which a man of the 'twice-born' varnas is expected to pass.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The classical Hindu scriptures outline four Ashramas or stages of life:
1. Brahmacharya: The student stage, focused on education and celibacy.
2. Grihastha: The householder stage, focused on marriage, family, and worldly pursuits.
3. Vanaprastha: The retirement stage (or forest-dweller), marked by a gradual withdrawal from worldly responsibilities.
4. Sannyasa: The renunciation stage, dedicated to spiritual pursuits and detachment from material life.
This system is known as the Ashrama Dharma.
Step 3: Final Answer:
There are four Ashrams prescribed in traditional Hindu society.