Word

Vanaprastha

Sanskrit

वनप्रस्थ

IAST

vānaprastha

In General

Life of a man is divided into four ashram, or stages. Vanaprastha is the third stage of life. After the birth of grand children a Hindu is expected to handover the family responsibility to his children and retire for spiritual life in a lonely place. He may take his wife if she is willing to share his life of austerities or leave her with his sons. Srauta sastra prescribe some spiritual practices and yajna for perforce during this period.