Chaturashrama dharmas
Our scriptures prescribe four duties that humans must perform during their lives, known as Chaturashrama Dharmas, the four kinds of duties to be performed by individuals in order to service the eternal debts called as Tririnas. The Chaturashrama phases are in order, Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (forest dweller life), and Sannyasa (renunciate life). Generally, all human beings, from birth to death, bodily physical development through life in various stages. These are also four stages: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. The Chaturashrama Dharmas, on the other hand, describes the duties that every human being should perform in their life.
Although both – the stages of physical development and the stages of life (Ashramas) are four in number, there is a difference in their duration. Sometimes, they overlap. For example, during adolescence and youth, a person should study as a celibate (Brahmachari). Then, during the same period of youth, they should assume the role of a householder and fulfill family and social responsibilities. After old age approaches, they should adopt the Vanaprastha ashrama (forest dweller). Finally, they should embrace Sannyasa (renunciation) to strive for liberation of soul. That is, in old age, one has to live through two ashramas: Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.
By practicing these four stages of life, humans can repay the three eternal debts (Tri-Rinas) inherited through birth.
Details about the three debts, the vow of celibacy, and the duties of the householder’s life have been explained on separate pages – Tririnas and Grihasthashrama dharma. You can visit and read those pages.
Panchadasha karmas or Shodashs Karmas
Panchadasha karmas or Shodashs Karmasn are rites de passage of Hindu rituals.
The Dharma Shastras state that the rituals of rites de passage that a person must undergo according to the scriptures, from birth until the end of life, are called Panchadasha karmas or Shodashs Karmas.
These are, in order: 1. Garbhadhana (Conception), 2. Pumsavana (Ritual for a male child), 3. Simanta (Hair parting ceremony), 4. Jatakarma (Birth ceremony), 5. Namakarana (Naming ceremony), 6. Annaprasana (First feeding of solid food), 7. Chaula (Hair cutting ceremony), 8. Akshararambha (Beginning of education), 9. Upanayana (Sacred thread ceremony), 10. Prajapatya, 11. Saumya, 12. Agneya, 13. Vaishvadeva, 14. Snataka (Graduation ceremony), 15. Vivaha (Marriage), and finally 16. Antyeshti (Funeral rites).
Of the rites described above, excluding the last rite, Antyeshti, they are called Panchadasha karmas, the fifteen rites de passage, and including the sixteenth rite, Antyeshti, they are called Shodashs Karmas, the sixteen rites de passage.
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