duties performed according to the system

Key Points

• Varnashrama-dharma – duties performed according to the system of four varnas (social divisions) and four ashrams (stages in life).
• Focus is on responsibilities (which naturally fulfil the rights of others).
• Four varnas – brahmanas (priests, teachers, and intellectuals), kshatriyas (police, army, and administration), vaishyas (farmers, merchants, and business people), shudras (artisans and workers).
• Four ashrams – student life, household life, retirement, and renunciation.