The Sanskrit word 'varnas' means - to classify or to envelop or to describe or to attribute and the Sanskrit word 'asramas' means 'stage of life'
The stage of life or 'asrama' is easy to understand. The stages usually consists of 5 stages and is time-divided considering the average life of a human.They are:
Balavastha (0-12 years) represents childhood where it is generally considered that the child's actions do not inherit sinful karma due to presence of ignorance
Bramacharya (12-24 years) represent teens and young adults. This age is ideal for the 'magic-carpet experience' discussed in an earlier blog. This term means 'Celibacy', which is usually the case in the guru-shishya Parampara in ancient times in India. Primary purpose of this phase is to get educated and gain intelligence that will become a bedrock of his/her persona.
Grihastha (24-48 years) represents married life. This is where the person is procreant/childbearing and indulges in economic activities and supports his family thus.
Vanaprastha (48-60 years) represents the beginning of retreatment from hyper-active life. Things begin to slow down in life. The next generation takes over. The person gets worried about spiritual ignorance, life-after-death, unspent karma etc.,
Sannyasa (60+ years) represents the beginning of renunciation. I would probably expect the person in this phase to avoid eating meat/heavy foods and slowly transition to a liquid diet. Mental activities like talking/meditation and physical activities like walking can avoid long term health issues related to forgetfulness and mobility etc.,. Ideal phase to consider, meditation and spiritual guidance, as important.
The above number of years are indicative and should be slightly adjusted keeping in mind the average age of human life in the region and any other good cultural aspects.
But the word 'varnas' is tricky ! I think, one of the biggest mistake that happened in the past was to associate varna with birth. The 'varna' or 'quality' of a person is decided by the value system the person adopts and not inherited by birth.
Since 'varna' means a system of classification, what possibly can be classified here? I think, It is the duty or responsibilities that a person grooms/educates, himself/herself to be in, while serving the society.
In my opinion, in the new world consisting of global economy, inter-connectedness and technology, there are possibly 3 varnas only. I consider them only based on a person's contribution to the betterment of society/world through his job/duties. This is indirectly reflective of his education and general intelligence and his/her qualities like empathy, service, sacrifice, promoting freedom, fighting for justice etc.,
The first one is the highest varna consisting of jobs that makes the person in charge, capable of transforming lives of a large group of people in his sphere of influence in a positive way. They should demonstrate the highest form of integrity and honesty at all times and should take the proverb - 'Work is Worship' to the heart. This varna people should be given preferably the highest remuneration among all of the varnas since they are likely to ensure the execution of all or some of the below activities -
Proving education and higher intelligence (Teaching related jobs)
Providing a sense of security and freedom (Police, Army etc.,)
Providing health care (Doctors, Psychologists, Nurses etc.,)
Providing new R&D and related products or knowledge for the betterment of humans (Economists, Scientists, Inventors etc.,)
Providing good governance and execution (genuine NGO workers/Government workers)
Establishing justice (Judges, Lawyers etc.,)
Providing vital information without distortion and thus providing a general sense of direction in which the society is proceeding (News(wo)men/Journalists)
Providing spiritual guidance and direction when there is chaos/suffering in the society (God(wo)men/Gurus etc.,)
NOTE: There are many grades of the above job type. And on the last one, society should have stringent criteria on who can be accepted as Gurus since they will eventually guide them in times of distress and chaos. Some professions like NGO workers may not work for remuneration/or take less remuneration. They, perhaps, may work for self-satisfaction. The best possible brains should vie for the above jobs since the general progressive direction of the society in general is set by these people.
In my opinion, the second varna is for the enablers and change-agents. They may not directly come into contact with a large set of people. They also sometimes provide efficiency and effectiveness in resource management. They consist of people of the following professions or similar:
Business leaders
Artists, musicians, writers, poets, other creative artists etc., ( The good ones among the artists as evaluated by some stringent standards, should be patronized by Government as they capture the zeitgeist of the society and serve as an important safety valve)
IT professionals
Farmers, Traders etc.,
etc.,
All other jobs including jobs that are in service of luxurious experiences (like concierge services) are of the third kind.
Together , the terms - 'varna', 'asrama' and 'dharma' means - 'Varnashrama Dharma'- the idea of people living by the sense of responsibilities/dharma and being cognizant of the stages of their life . The stages of life and expected transformation may impact the duties/responsibilities. Thus retirement from professional life is in some way important. Society should ensure that the retirees are properly taken care. The society should ensure dignity in the natural death of their elders.