Page Text
________________
Development of Personality in this stage has been depicted by Sri Krishna as: "He who performeth such action as his duty, independent of the fruit of action, is a sanyasi and yogi as well and not the one who is without fire and rites. "46 He is a moving God as he dwells in universal love and walks in righteousness.
A Sanyasi neither cares for life nor death since he is indifferent for both. Further, he will be preparing himself to leave the body by taking Icchamarana(death-at-will). In that way both Vaanaprastha and Sanyaasa ashramas educate a human person about attainment of perfection by relinquishing all belongings including body whereas the earlier two Ashramas educate the human person about the enrichment and enjoyment of life.
A mention of the interrelationship between the above scheme of Purusharthas and Aashramas is required. So far as the functions of the four Ashramas and the pursuit of the four Purusharthas by those Aashramis is concerned the Brahamchaari who is undergoing a priod of learning and training is not expected to pursue either Artha or Kaama. The Grihasthaashrami on the other hand is pursuing the first three Purusharthas viz., Dharma, Artha and Kaama in their fullest extent. The last two Aashramas, the Vaanaprastha and the Sanyasa are meant to devote to the exclusive pursuits of the two ultimate Purushaarthas, viz, Dharma and Moksha.
The above four types of human values and four stages of human life show the methodical development of human personality, by inculcating different values which strengthen the personality to lead perfect life. This process also includes satisfying different dimensions of human personality without neglecting any facet and at the same time regulated by Dharma and discharging different responsibilities (Rinas) under the guidance of Dharma. These four Ashramas and four Purusharthas are to be practiced by all ordinary human beings, but there might be some exta-ordinary personalities(due to their preparation at early-life/ poorva-janma), like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Adisankara, Sri Siddharoodha Swamiji, Sri Ramana Maharshi and others, who might straightaway enter the stage of Sanyaasa soon after Brahmacharya Ashrama by skipping Grihastha and Vaanaprastha-ashramas. In Sanyaasa-ashrama one has to sacrifice everything pertaining to mundane domain, since it is mere appearance from the stand point of highest goal - Moksha, and seriously attempt for getting relieved oneself from the shackles of samsaara to attain Sadgati i.e. Jivanmukti.47 Jivanmukti is liberation during life, a liberation of mind from the bondage that involves feelings of pleasure and pain concomitant with action and enjoyment.48 The attainment of Jivanmuktitva itself is the attainment of Perfect Personality.49
263
| SR No. | 007005 |
| Book Title | World of Philosophy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave |
| Publisher | Shanti Prakashan |
| Publication Year | 2011 |
| Total Pages | 1002 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 30 MB |