Varnas
Hindu society is split into 5 Varnas. The varna you are born into is determined by the karma from your previous life.
Good karma will result in you being born into a higher varna and bad karma will lead to rebirth in a lower varna.
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Ashramas (Stages of Life)
Brahmacharyi - The student stage. Begins with upanayana (the sacred thread)
Duties include:
- Gaining knowledge through study.
- Showing respect to teachers & parents.
- Learning the rules & rituals of Hinduism.
Samskaras in this stage
- Vedarambha – start of formal education
- Smavartana – graduation from studies
Grihasta - The householder stage.Begins with marriage
Duties include:
- Giving to charity
- Caring for your parents
- Giving hospitality to guests
- Providing a settled, well-run household.
Samskaras in this stage
- Vivaha – marriage
- Garbhahana - Conception
- Jatakarma - birth
Vanaprastha - The retirement stage. Begins with the birth of a grandchild.
Duties include:
- Detachment from worldly concerns & materialism
- Devoting time to quietness & solitude
- Studying the scriptures and meditating
Samskaras in this stage
- Vanaprastha – retirement aged approx 60.
Sannyasin - The holy wo / man stage. Begins with the 15th samskara (Sanyasa) becoming a holy man
Duties include:
- Renunciation of all worldly ties & possessions.
- Devotion of your whole life to achieving Moksha.
Samskaras in this stage
- Sanyasa – Becoming a holy man.
- Antyeshti – Death rites
Diet
Most Hindus are vegetarian. This is caused by beliefs including:
- The sacredness of the cow.
- Respect for nature.
- Belief in the reincarnation of the soul.
