Significance of Youth

Youth is a significant period across various spiritual and cultural contexts. In Tibetan Buddhism, it spans ages sixteen to twenty-one, marked by study and debate. Vaishnavism defines it as concluding at sixteen, filled with innocence and budding romantic desires. The Purana emphasizes its challenges and distractions, while Mahayana highlights vitality and strength. Kavyashastra associates youth with captivating beauty and influence, particularly reflecting on Radha's splendor. Overall, youth is characterized by vigor, innocence, and the beginning of deeper emotional experiences.1

Synonyms: Adolescence, Young people, Teenage years, Young adulthood, Puberty, Boyhood, Girlhood.

In Dutch: Jeugd; In Finnish: Nuoriso; In Spanish: Juventud

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Youth'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Youth signifies a crucial life phase from sixteen to twenty-one, emphasizing intense learning and debate, while embodying vitality and strength, contrasting with the inevitable decline seen in old age.

Significance of Youths in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):

Mahayana Books

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) The earlier stages of life characterized by vitality, strength, and health, in contrast to old age.^[1]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance of Youths in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):

Theravada Books

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The period of life characterized by physical vigor, often associated with a mistaken belief of freedom from aging and death.^[2]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance of Youths in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):

Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) The period between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one in Birth khro phu's life, marked by extensive study and debate.^[3]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Youth'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, youth symbolizes a vibrant life stage marked by natural innocence, intense desires, and beauty, particularly highlighted in relation to the gopa community and their spiritual connections, notably with Krishna and Radha.

Significance of Youths in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):

Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) Refers to the young individuals in the gopa community, typically in their teenage years.^[4] (2) the state or quality of being young, often associated with vigor and vitality^[5]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) A reference to the phase of life experienced by the speaker in the verse about longing for a past intimate relationship.^[6] (2) The phase of life that concludes at the sixteenth year, following boyhood.^[7]

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) Refers to the freshness and vibrancy that the gopis associate with themselves and their feelings towards Krishna.^[8] (2) The period characterized by natural innocence and the beginning of desires for romance, becoming evident in young individuals.^[9]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance of Youths in Kavyashastra (science of poetry):

Kavyashastra Books

From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana

(1) A period characterized by vigor and beauty, considered the most attractive and influential time of life in the context of Radha's splendor.^[10] (2) Kah refers to the young male figure described, who possesses a captivating beauty that evokes desire.^[11]

Kavyashastra refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.

Significance of Youths in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):

Purana Books

From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha

(1) A stage fraught with dangers of desires and distractions from the spiritual path.^[12]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Jain concept of 'Youth'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Youth signifies a stage of life exemplified by Kiranavega, symbolizing a transition to maturity and deeper understanding, reflecting the importance of personal growth and spiritual development during this crucial phase.

Significance of Youths in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) The stage of life that Kiranavega attained, marking a point of maturity.^[13]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Plural form: Youths.

Last Updated: 25 October, 2024