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The earliest clear reference to the four ashramas of the student, house-holder, forest hermit, and recluse is found in the:
  • a)
    Jabala Upanishad
  • b)
    Satapatha Brahmana
  • c)
    Chandogya Upanishad
  • d)
    Atharva Veda
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The earliest clear reference to the four ashramas of the student, hous...
A is the correct option.The Jabala Upanishad, also called Jabalopanisad, is a minor Upanishad of Hinduism. The Sanskrit text is one of the 20 Sannyasa Upanishads, and is attached to the Shukla Yajurveda. The Jabala Upanishad is an ancient text, composed before 300 CE. It provides earliest clear reference to the four ashramas of the student, house-holder, forest hermit, and recluse.
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The earliest clear reference to the four ashramas of the student, hous...
The four ashramas or stages of life - Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (forest hermit), and Sannyasa (recluse) - are a significant aspect of Hinduism.

The earliest clear reference to the four ashramas is found in the Jabala Upanishad.

Explanation:

- The Jabala Upanishad is one of the minor Upanishads, belonging to the Atharvaveda. It is a dialogue between the sage Jabala and his son Satyakama, who seeks knowledge of Brahman.
- In the Upanishad, Satyakama approaches his father and asks him about the means of attaining Brahman. Jabala replies that there are four ashramas, each suited to a particular stage of life.
- He explains that the Brahmacharya ashrama is for students who are dedicated to learning and celibacy, and it prepares them for the next stage.
- The Grihastha ashrama is for householders who fulfill their duties towards their family and society, and live a life of righteous action.
- The Vanaprastha ashrama is for those who have fulfilled their duties as householders and wish to retire to the forest to pursue spiritual practices.
- The Sannyasa ashrama is for those who have renounced all worldly ties and possessions and seek liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
- The Jabala Upanishad thus lays out the framework of the four ashramas as a means of fulfilling one's duties towards society and progressing towards spiritual liberation.

Therefore, the earliest clear reference to the four ashramas is found in the Jabala Upanishad, which explains the significance and purpose of each stage of life in the Hindu tradition.
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