The Purana Index v1.c5.s1.2655

v1.c5.s1.2655

*Āśramas* (*āśramadharma*)—four, Brahmacarya, gṛhasta, vānaprastha and bhikṣuka, duties:—*Brahmacarya*: study by service to guru and begging food, *gṛhasta*: the source and strength of all *āśramas*; those celibate do penance, sacrifice, give birth to sons, perform *śrāddha*, learn the Vedas and give gifts of food, *dārāgni*, guests, sacrifice and *śrāddha*; become *devapitṛs*, *vānaprastha* bathe in morning and evening and on ceremonials, eating of fruits and roots, non-theft, purity, sympathy and non-injury—ten kinds of dharma; *Bhikṣu*: daṇḍi, mekhali, and lying in ground floor.¹ A reference to the fifth *āśrama*,² will be lost at the end of Kaliyuga when anarchy prevails.³