Vanaprastha and Sannyasa

Vanaprastha: After completing the age-and duties of a householder as a famiIyman, one must become Vanaprasthi lateron becoming Sannyasi at right time. Only the calm and scholarly people can feel the joy of finding the Supreme God, by leading a religious and righteous life and living on the collected alms. A Vanaprasthi ought to strive, to attain faith, truth and piety, through penance, Yoga, and Satsanga in various ways. He must lead a life of celibacy and abstinance, eventhough remaining with his wife. He must send away his wife to his sons, etc., when- ever he desires to enter in the last Ashrama, i.e. Sanyasa. The age interval for this stage is between 50 and 75 years. Sannyasa: After completing the age of 75, a man should enter Sanyasa in the fourth and last quarter of his life, though he may enter it earlier only if he has really Vairagya, i.e. non-involvement and desireless state of mind. Even a householder or a Brahmachari can also .enter Sanyasa directly in such an event, A Brahmachari should become Sannyasi, only if he is a thorough scholar, restrained, nondesirous, as also over flowing with the desire of service of mankind.

The worldly pleasure accrue from our acts and deeds, but to find the ultraworldly and supreme bliss, as well as
union with Supreme Self, they do not suffice. For that, a dedicated and specialistic way of life is required, for which such a desirous entrant should approach the scholars of the highest order, who know the ultimate reality, i.e.God, and who alone can satisfy his querries and doubts. After attaining Sannyas, he must
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preach the truth to the worldly people, because he alone has the sufficient time at his leisure
for this purpose. He must not stay for long at a place, unless a particular purpose of benefaction of the people at large is served only in this way. He must not collect money, though he must have sufficient money in his hand for his knowledgeprovoking tours. A true Sannyasi always preaches the religion, which he practises in his own pious life.