Varna
(caste) |
Stages of Life
|
Dharma
(goals of life) |
| Aryan/World Affirming
Vedic Tradition |
Brahmin
priests, scholars, teachers |
Student
ages 8 - 20 |
Kama
pursuit of pleasure: sensual, aesthetic, sexual |
Kshatriya
rulers, administrators
warriors, protectors |
Householder
married, raising children, supporting a family |
Artha
pursuit of worldly success:
power, fame & fortune |
Vaishya
merchants, businessmen, landowners (farmers),
engineers |
Retirement
after children are grown |
Dharma
fulfillment of social duty within family and society |
| Non-Aryan/World Negating,
Non-Vedic traditions (Jain, Buddhist) |
Shudra
servants, hired hands, unskilled laborers, artisans, entertainers, factory workers, manual laborers,
street cleaners |
Renunciation
monastic/ascetic life apart from society (in lieu of family) |
Moksha
pursuit of spiritual liberation beyond this life |