A Call for Vanaprasthas - Acharya Vinoba

At a certain period in their life, both husband and wife must give up the responsibilities of the house, entrust the same to their grown up children, live like brother and sister, and take to a life of public service. If they do not do so, the evolution of the soul is blocked up. This religious duty, now rarely performed, was taught by our ancestors. They called it Vanaprastha Dharma. The Shastras enjoin on those who attain the grandfatherly status to abandon their homes and devote themselves to educating the society. After duly discharging one’s domestic duties, one should renounce them at a certain stage and go out to meet man as man and identify oneself with others. Then alone will disappear the gulf which we find today between the leaders and the people, as also the other obstacles blocking our progress. It is an important thing deserving our serious attention.

I shall give you the instance of one greater than any in modern India. I refer to Manu Maharaj. Tulasidas in his Ramayana says that Manu ably ruled his kingdom and conducted the administration very well. But he felt that continued stay on the throne would retard his spiritual growth. So he gave up all. Tulasidas reminds us that he renounced everything against the wishes of the people and of all his kith and kin. He sought spiritual wisdom and got it.

© "The Vision" (March, 2002) published by Anandashram, Kanhangad, Kerala, India 671 531. Website: www.anandashram.org. Reprinted with permission.

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