Divisions of Āśrama (c): Vānaprastha

After the Gārhasthyāśrama the next stage is the Vānaprastha-āśrama which indicates retirement from the Gārhasthyāśrama and entering in the forest life with wild fruits.^[1] This is the sheltered life in the forest and is a stage preparatory to the final stage of renunciation. In this stage one has to withdraw himself gradually from the source of pleasures of the world being free from family responsibilities. At this stage his lifestyle changes. He takes leaves, roots and fruits as his food. He sleeps on the ground, he uses skin and kuśa grass for clothing. He has to bath thrice a day and to worship the Gods and gustes.^[2] Who, obeying the aforesaid rules, spent the Vanaprasthāśrama life, he, like Agni, burns all the bad elements.^[3] The Vānaprastha stage is believed to be a period of purification of sin which is beneficial to the soul.^[4] In this period the Vānaprasthins live in the forest and strictly perform penances and sleep on the ground. They keep themselves busy in many works, viz. sacred study, ceremonies for the pitṛs, Gods and guests, the homa oblation and the three daily ablutions. They wear matted hair and dress up in a dark dress and use forest unguents.^[5]

The Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa also presents some examples of kings who, with the accompany of their wives, led the life of forest hermit and practised austerities. They are Ṛtadhvaja^[6] , Khanitra^[7] , Karandhama^[8] and Nariṣyanta^[9]