ICSE Class 8 Answered

'Varnas' and 'ashramas' are two different concepts. 

While the 'varnas' refer to the caste system in the Vedic period. The society was divided into four castes- the Brahmanas, Khastiyas, Vaisyas and the shudras. The varnas were formed based on the occupation of the people which was hereditary in nature. 

The Brahmans occupied the top position and performed all the rituals. The Kshatriyas were a warring class who occupied the second class and protected their kingdom from any external attacks. The Vaishays were farmers, traders and businessmen. The shudras occupied the lowest strata of the society and were supposed to do all the menial work.

Following are the four ashramas of life:

Brahmacharya: The brahmacharya ashram is the first stage of an individual’s life during which he stays with his guru in the gurukul and receives education.

Grihastha - This ashram is the second stage of a person’s life during which he gets married and leads the life of a family man with his partner and children.

Vanaprastha - Vanaprastha ashram is the stage of an individual’s life when he gives up worldly pleasures and goes to the forest in order to mediate.

SanyasaThis is the last stage of a person’s life during which he severs all worldly ties, becomes an ascetic and spreads the message of religion and truth all around.