With reference to the Society during the Vedic Age, answer the following questions:

(a) Explain briefly the class divisions that existed in the Early Vedic society.

(b) What changes occured in the society during the Later Vedic Age?

(c) Explain the four stages in the life of an Aryan.

(a) During the Early Vedic Period, the society was divided into different classes based on their profession. These professions became hereditary over the course of time. These occupational classes gradually took the form of caste.

(b) The changes that occurred in society during the Later Vedic Age are as follows:

1. Kingship became hereditary and divine elements came to be associated with the king. This period marked the beginning of taxation system and administrative machinery.

2. There was a significant decline in the status of women. Their freedom was restricted in many ways.

3. Class system came into existence. — People followed different professions which became hereditary. People were divided into different castes like Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.

4. The whole lifespan of an Aryan came to be divided into four periods of 25 years each — the Brahmacharya, the Grihastha, the Vanaprastha and the Sanyasa Asharama.

5. Education was imparted through Gurukuls, which had become the most sacred institution.

6. In the later Vedic Age with religious evolution, simplicity of nature worship was lost and the frequency and number of the yajnas increased.

(c) The four stages in the life of an Aryan, also known as the four Ashramas were:

1. The Brahmacharya Ashrama — It lasted up to the age of 25 years during which the pupil was expected to acquire knowledge in gurukul and observe strict discipline.
2. The Grihastha Ashrama — It lasted from the age of 25 to 50 years during which man was supposed to marry and raise and maintain his family.
3. The Vanaprastha Ashrama — It lasted from the age of 50 to 75 years. During this period the man was expected to retire from worldly life and acquire spiritual knowledge.
4. The Sanyasa Ashrama — It lasted from the age of 75 to 100 years which was the period of renunciation. Man had to leave everything forever and go into meditation in order to attain moksha or salvation.