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The Linga Purana is one of the major eighteen Puranas,back 600 C.E. This Puranam describes The origin of universe appears to be the form of Lingam. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and all the Vedas emerged from the Lingam. In this Purana,Lord Siva teaches directly the importance of worshiping the Lingam and the correct rituals to be followed during the Linga puja. The main part of his teaching is ashtanga yoga. The Lord him self initiated the astanga yoga to Sanakas sages. Later Sanakas taught to Atrimahamuni, Vyasar and Janaka. Vyasa spread astanga yoga to the world through Linga puranam. Lord Siva explained in detail as follows:

The mind control is called Yoga.. The Ashtanga yoga means Eight-Limbed Yoga comprising of Yama, Niyama, Aasana, Pranaayama, Pratyahara Darana, and Dhyana-Samadhi.

Yama is denotation of good behavior representing Non-Violence, and Truth. Niyama is containing the rule, regulations, physical, and mental calmness. Aasana is yogic posture. Pranaayama is suspending the breath and extending it. Pratyahara-Dharana is concentration of withdrawal (example: senses from external objects) . Dhyana-Samadhi is directing the mind to an object.

According to the Hindu Dharma there is four age-based life stages discussed in ancient Vedas and Puranas.

The four ashramas are Brahmacharyam, (Student) Grahastam (House holder) Vanaprastam (retaired ) Sanyasam (renunciation). This Ashrama system, is divided into four stages, and consistently one by one will come into practice. The Ashrama system is one feature of the Dharma. It is also a component of the ethical theories in Sanatana dharma philosophy, where it is combined with four proper goals of human life (Purushartha), for fulfillment, happiness and spiritual cheers to have aatmasakshatkaram and liberation.

(1) Brahmacharyam (student life) age from five to twenty four
Brahmacharyam stage of undergraduate student life. This level of attention to the education and including practice of celibacy. He is a student in General Sciences, Philosophy, Theology, Scripture, Moral science, Veda Sastras, with the knowledge of Self-Discipline, Fasting, Rituals and Learning to live a life of Dharma (righteousness, morality and the duties). to live with a guru in Gurukulam (residential institution)

(2) Grihastha (household life) age twenty four to fourty eight

This stage referred to the married life, with the duties of maintaining a household, raising family and earning wealth, educating children, and leading a family-centered and a dharmic social life. The Grihasthashram Is very special than other ashrams. It is considered as the most important of all stages in sociological context. His duties are very well planned (1) following a virtuous life, (2) produce food and shelter to sustain the pious and poor people, as well as saving for his offspring to continue their life when he take his third asrama.

(3) Vanaprastha (retired life) age forty eight to seventy two

The retirement stage, where a person handed over household responsibilities to the next generation, took an advisory role, and gradually withdrew from the world affairs. Vanaprastha stage was a transition phase from a householder's life with its greater emphasis on virtham and penance etc principle to pass control to prepare the detachment to the worldly affairs; and to practice sowcham,(means Cleaning the religious order having mud-bath is called 'Agasowcham' having water bath is called 'Purasowcham') penence,(means performing chandrayana viratham ) performing Chanrayana fasting is on new moon day complete fasting, from next day only one mouthful (Kavalam) food, the second day is two like that increasing mode in waxing phase then again full moon day complete fasting again from fifteen to decreasing mode in dark moon fortnight phase till new moon day and on new moon day complete fasting like, performing this virtham. Not only increasing and decreasing food should perform homam rituals and meditation so on according to Veda's instruction and guru's guidance and advice. Pranidhana (profound religious meditation) Pranaayamam is 3 kind of exercise. explanation: When doing pranayama if one has sweating it is not good inferior rank. During the pranayama if one has anxiety or worries stimulus consider as medium rank, during the pranayama if one has rise happiness which shows excellent rank. If one make great efforts to achieve raised breath pranayama with chanting hymn is called sakarpam or without chanting hymn doing pranayamam is called vikarpam. These kind of hard rituals would helpl (Indriya Nigraha) Control of Physical Limbs.

Sannyasa (renounced life) age seventy two or from brahmachariyam

This stage was marked by renunciation of material desires and, detachment from worldly life. In general they will lead the ascetic life they do prayers for prosperity to the people. Their all time prayer is only for peace and giving preach about on the religious and spiritual life. However if anyone wishes to enter this stage he can enter after completing the Brahmacharya stage of life.

Message:

The Ashrama system is one feature of the Dharma concept in Sanatana Dharma. It is integrated with the concept of Purushartha, or four proper aims of life in philosophy, namely, Dharma (good natures, righteousness, chastity, morality, duties), Artha (wealth, health, means of life), Kama (desire, relationships, emotions) and Moksha (liberation, freedom, self-realization) Each of the four Ashramas of life are a form of personal and social environment. Each stage with ethical guidelines, duties and responsibilities, for the individual and the society. Each Ashrama stage places different levels of emphasis on the four proper goals of life with different stages viewed as steps to the attainment of the ideal of philosophy, named (Moksha) Gods Realization.

Nirmalam Nishkalam Brahmaa Sushantim Jnaana Rupinam,

Alakshanamanirdeshya Manoralpataram Shubham

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