2. As father of
a family (grihasta), raising children, practicing a profession, and pursuing prosperity.
4. Giving up all worldly desires and living a monastic life as an ascetic (samnyasin).
3. After the birth of the first grandson, withdrawing from the world as a hermit (vanaprastha), accompanied by ones wife, and devoting oneself to further religious studies.
1. Studying the holy texts (brahmacharya) under an authorized teacher (guru).
