Shloka 18
चत्वारोऽाश्रमाः — ब्रह्मचर्यादि मोक्षाश्रमपर्यन्तम्
The Four Āśramas as a graded path to mokṣa
वयःपरिणतौ राजन् कृतकृत्यो गृहाश्रमी पुत्रेषु भार्यां निक्षिप्य वनं गच्छेत् सहैव वा
vayaḥpariṇatau rājan kṛtakṛtyo gṛhāśramī putreṣu bhāryāṃ nikṣipya vanaṃ gacchet sahaiva vā
اے بادشاہ، جب عمر پختہ ہو جائے اور گھریلو مرحلے کے مقاصد بخوبی پورے ہو جائیں، تو گھر آشرمی مرد اپنی بیوی کو بیٹوں کی نگہداشت میں سونپ کر جنگل کو روانہ ہو—یا اگر وہ چاہے تو اسے ساتھ لے جائے۔
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya; addressing a kingly addressee within the teaching as 'rājan')
FAQs
This verse frames vānaprastha as a dharmic transition after fulfilling household obligations, enabling a disciplined turn toward austerity and spiritual focus without abandoning social responsibility.
Renunciation is not impulsive; it is recommended when age has matured and duties are completed (kṛtakṛtya), after ensuring dependents—especially one’s spouse—are responsibly cared for.
By prescribing orderly life-stages, the Purana positions dharma as a structured path culminating in higher spiritual pursuit—ultimately oriented toward realizing and serving Vishnu as the supreme ground of order and liberation.